Winter in Washington offers plenty to keep you busy, from storm watching on the coast to hitting the slopes in the mountains. Snow blankets Washington’s peaks during the colder months, hushing forests and freezing lakes. Outdoor enthusiasts will find activities for all skill levels, from premier cross-country skiing to snowshoeing. Looking for a more relaxed winter escape? Head to one of Washington’s cozy lodges, spas, or hot spring resorts for a laid-back weekend during the quieter months.
Things to do During Winter in Washington
Go Cross-Country Skiing
With 40 sno-parks statewide specifically for non-motorized recreation, Nordic skiers can immerse themselves in a winter wonderland. The most famous area for cross-country skiing in Washington is the Methow Trails system. Head to the scenic Methow Valley for 130+ miles of groomed trails. Skiers delight in kid-friendly valley-bottom loops, mountainside traverses, and even dog-friendly routes.
In the Chelan/Leavenworth area, the Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area has 25 miles of groomed trail maintained by the Lake Chelan Nordic Club. The trails circle ridge tops and wind through drainages, allowing skiers spectacular views of the Enchantments, Pyramid Peak, and the Okanogan Highlands. Ski out to “Soup Sundays at the Yurt” for a free piping-hot bowl of soup to complement your adventure.
Just southwest of Mount Adams, three Sno-Parks – McClellan Meadows, Old Man, and Koshko – share an interconnected trail system that has over 40 miles of trail. For the most adventurous, Koshko has 15 miles of ungroomed trails that visit remote mountain lakes and old-growth forests.
Hit the Slopes
Snowboarders and downhill skiers have a wealth of opportunities, ranging from night skiing at Stevens Pass near Leavenworth to plowing through the famously dry snow at family-friendly Bluewood in the southeast corner of the state.
The Cascade Mountains bisect Washington into east and west, creating ideal spots for ski resorts, from snowfall-heavy Mount Baker Ski Area near the Canadian border to Crystal Mountain, which caters to all skill levels and boasts an epic terrain park and gondola known for its spectacular views of Mount Rainier.
East of the Cascades, 49° North offers a robust ski school program and 301 average inches of snowfall per year, making it well worth the pilgrimage, while Mount Spokane is easily accessible from Washington’s second-largest city.
Also See: Where to Ski and Snowboard in Washington
Watch a Storm
Winter brings torrential rain, swollen waves, and bluster to coastal communities along the Olympic and Long Beach peninsulas. And there’s nothing like sitting back and watching the drama. November through early March marks the storm season, though king tides — the highest predicted tides of the year — arrive in December or January. Check the National Weather Service for storm predictions.
West of Olympia, the multi-platform, open-air observation tower in Westport’s Marina is the place to be during winter high tides. Gigantic waves crash into the break wall sending a spectacle of seawater into the air. Less than a mile walk south from the tower on the paved, ADA-accessible Westport Light Trail is Westport Light State Park. Clamber to the summit of one of the park’s sand dunes for a perfect spot to watch a storm unfold. Farther south in Cape Disappointment State Park, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center clings to a precipice 200 feet above waves pounding into the cliff base. The center’s glassed-in observation deck lets visitors take it all in, sans rain and wind.
Also See: Where to Experience Storm Watching
Go Hiking and Snowshoeing
Those looking to trek through the snow-dappled woods or along frozen lakes can choose from many snowshoe trials. One of the most iconic spots is Artist Point on Mount Baker. This moderate route rewards snowshoers with outstanding views of the North Cascades’ glacier-laden peaks. For something easier but still scenic, try Gold Creek Pond near Snoqualmie Pass. The flat 1-mile cruise around a forest pond makes it a beginner-friendly option.
For those who want to steer clear of heavy snow, Washington’s varied terrain provides year-round hike options, including options for families. In the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy near Yakima, the 5.2-mile Cowiche Canyon Trail tours a creekside riparian zone surrounded by sagebrush and basalt cliffs.
Also See: Explore These Scenic Snowshoe Trails
Attend a Winter Event
Winter in Washington is packed full of holiday festivals and events. Discover charming winter markets, light displays, parades, and more throughout the state. In Seattle, the annual Seattle Christmas Market transforms the Seattle Center into a magical village of food and gift vendors. In cities along Washington’s waterways, including Vancouver on the Columbia River, visitors can watch as a illuminated boats parade past.
East of the Cascade Mountains, the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth hosts back-to-back winter festivals in December and January, while the Lake Chelan Winterfest welcomes visitors in January for ice carving and more.
Also See: Experience Winter in Seattle
Hit the Trail on Fat-Tire Bikes
Pedal fat-tire bikes down snowy trails for a fun winter adventure in Washington. The Methow Trails system is home to miles of dedicated routes, while nearby Pearrygin Lake State Park has a separate trail system with 20 miles for fat biking.
In Leavenworth, the Leavenworth Ski Hill keeps the snowshoe trails in the foothills of Tumwater Mountain open to fat biking. Plus, a portion of their groomed Nordic trails open to fat biking each evening. While some routes are illuminated, others require a headlamp or headlights.
Farther east, the Spokane area has a number of fat biking opportunities. Riverside State Park—Washington’s second-largest state park—offers mixed-use winter trails that welcome fat-tire biking.
Also See: Year-Round Fun in the Methow Valley
Watch for Winter Birds
Come winter in Washington, hundreds of migrating bird species head to the fertile farmlands, wetlands, estuaries, and marine waters of the Skagit Valley. At Butler Flats, trumpeter swans, eagles, and herons can be spotted hunting and clustering in the Green Road Marsh. Near Mount Vernon, the fallow fields and freshwater ponds of Samish Flats attract raptors and snowy owls.
On the Olympic Peninsula near Port Angeles, black oystercatchers frequent the rocky tidal flats of the Salt Creek Recreation Area. Sandpipers and loons can also be spotted around the beach and inshore waters.
Birders can also take part in festivals. Each year on the cusp of spring, Othello hosts the Sandhill Crane Festival, which celebrates the return of the majestic bird to the lakes and grasslands of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge north of Tri-Cities. In March, the Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival takes place in Blaine, a major stopover on the Pacific Flyway. With speakers, boating tours, and field trips, attendees can revel in the return of thrushes, waterfowl, herons, and more.
Also See: Discover Washington’s Wildlife Refuges
Go Snowmobiling
During winter, Washington’s mountains and high-elevation valleys transform into epic terrain for snowmobilers. A popular snowmobiling area just west of Lake Wenatchee State Park sees hundreds of inches of snowfall each year. The 200 miles of trail weave through towering forests, over powdery meadows, and along windswept ridges with astounding range views. For beginners, head to Leavenworth, Cle Elum, the Methow Valley, or the Blue Mountains for guided rides that take the hassle out of planning a snowmobiling adventure.
In the northwest, Mount Baker’s forested flanks and slopes are home to 168 miles of snowmobile trail within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, an area characterized by river draws, alpine lakes, and views of glaciated volcano peaks.
Also See: Guided Snowmobile Tours and Independent Adventures
Cozy up in a Lodge
For those looking to combine outdoor adventure and luxury, there are several cozy getaways across the state. In the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains, you’ll find Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum. Spend the day ice skating, tubing, or cross-country skiing before heading to the lodge to enjoy the all-year heated outdoor pool, or kick back in the cedarwood wet sauna and aromatherapy steam room.
An easy escape from Seattle, the Salish Lodge & Spa perches on a forested cliff edge next to Snoqualmie Falls, a 269-foot cascade that looks even more magical surrounded by snow.
For cross-country ski lovers, there is no better place than Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop. As the largest destination cross-country ski resort in the nation, guests have access to 130+ miles of groomed trails. Other winter fun at the lodge includes sleigh rides, top-class snowshoeing trails, and guided backcountry adventures.
Winter in Washington is the perfect time to book a stay at a hotel or resort with a full-service spas. Unwind in a sauna, enjoy a hot stone massage, and try treatments using locally sourced ingredients.
Lace Up Ice Skates
The Numerica Skate Ribbon in Spokane’s Riverfront Park is a 650-foot-long, 16-foot-wide iced pathway shaped in a squiggly loop. Lit up by festive twinkle lights, the Ribbon has become a haven for winter merrymaking. After a number of go-rounds, skaters congregate and sip steaming cocoa around one of the blazing fire pits.
Just 20 minutes from Seattle, the Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink has over 9,000 square feet of real ice. With free kids’ lessons and Ugly Sweater Skates in December, this rink is an epicenter of fun for the ice skating community.
East of Ellensburg, the town of Moses Lake has a huge open-air pavilion ice rink for its 26,000 residents and is a favorite among families seeking winter entertainment. The new attached Larson Recreation Center expands the rink’s capabilities, providing rentals as well as ice skating lessons and a youth hockey program.
Go Ice Fishing
Ice fishing enthusiasts can take their ice augers and thermoses to the frozen lakes of Okanogan County, which is home to the NW Ice Fishing Festival on Sidley Lake. Near Leavenworth, yellow perch and rainbow trout flourish under the crust of ice on Fish Lake, while Cove Resort offers good access to the lake and sells tackle.
Curlew Lake north of Republic is another popular destination for those seeking solitude. An hour southwest of Spokane, Fourth of July Lake is a winter-only fishery open after Thanksgiving. This 100-acre lake is known for its amazing rainbow trout that can exceed 20 inches. Conveniently located off Interstate 90, Moses Lake has some of the best walleye fishing in the state, though perch are a more common catch in the winter.
Enjoy a Soak
There’s nothing like slipping into warm, relaxing waters during the dead of winter. Thankfully, Washington offers multiple developed hot springs and soaking-focused properties. The Columbia River Gorge area is home to a few stellar options, including Carson Hot Springs Resort, Tenzen Springs & Cabins, and Bonneville Hot Springs Resort. The Carson Hot Springs Resort dates back to 1901, and the 1930s bathhouse maintains its authentic charm with individual clawfoot tubs. At Tenzen, guests can enjoy private two-person tubs on a semi-enclosed deck. Both properties harness the geothermal waters of the nearby Wind River.
Those looking to soak on the Olympic Peninsula can spend a couple hours at Soak on the Sound in charming Port Townsend. Relax in the tiled copper saltwater tubs or infrared and Finnish steam saunas. It’s the perfect way to end a day of exploring.
About the Author
Ellee Thalheimer is a freelance writer and guidebook author based in the Pacific Northwest who has contributed to publications like Lonely Planet Guidebooks, Alaska Airlines Magazine, and Adventure Cyclist Magazine. When she can’t get outside, she writes fiction, drinks local IPAs, and perfects her handstands.