With four mountains to play on—Alpental, Summit West, Summit Central, Summit East—your family will never get bored at the Summit at Snoqualmie. Conveniently located just an hour east of Seattle, you can go skiing, snowboarding, tubing, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Snowboarders will enjoy the terrain parks and superpipe. There are lessons, rentals, camps and workshops available if you want to improve your skills or try a new sport. The area also has several shops with equipment, clothing and accessories for purchase. Warm up in one of many on-site restaurants and cafes. Although there is no lodging at the Summit itself, there are plenty of lodging options nearby.
The Summit at Snoqualmie
1001 State Route 906
Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068
(425) 434-7669
summitatsnoqualmie.com
Another popular skiing and snowboarding destination is Crystal Mountain, about 90 minutes east of Tacoma. Crystal Mountain offers lessons and multi-week programs for adults and children, with free lift tickets for children under 10. There is even a parent/child/instructor class for 2- to 3-year-olds, as well as an adaptive program for people with physical, developmental and sensory disabilities. For the more adventurous, Crystal Mountain offers guided mountain tours and snowshoe tours (age 11 and older). There are a number of on-site eateries and a variety of nearby accommodations.
Crystal Mountain, Inc.
33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
(360) 663-2265
skicrystal.com
This Bavarian-themed town at the foot of the Cascade Mountains offers outdoor adventures galore. For something different, your family can try dog sledding, take a sleigh ride or rent snowmobiles. All the usual winter activities—cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing—are also just a stone’s throw from town. There are two ski resorts nearby as well. In town, the festive holiday lights stay on until Valentines Day, and the streets are filled with quaint shops, cozy restaurants, and cultural attractions.
Leavenworth Visitor Center
940 Highway 2
Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-5807
leavenworth.org
For some winter fun on the eastern side of Washington, head to 49° North, just 42 miles north of Spokane. Lessons designed specifically for beginning skiers and snowboarders are available, and the 49° North Discovery Club caters to children ages 5-11 with full- and half-day lesson packages available. The resort also offers daycare services for children ages 2-10, including educational games, arts and crafts, movies and snow playtime. Meals can be provided for an additional fee. Resort services include ski shops, dining and equipment rental and repair.
49° North
3311 Flowery Trail Road
Chewelah, WA 99109
(509) 935-6649
ski49n.com
If snow sports are not your thing, pack up your swimsuit instead and head to the Great Wolf Lodge, just outside of Centralia. The main attraction at this family resort is a gigantic indoor waterpark, where the room temperature is maintained at a toasty 84 degrees. Regardless of the chilly weather outside, your family can enjoy the four-story interactive treehouse water fort, a raft waterslide and a six-story funnel. After your water frolic, wind down in the on-site full-service spa. Kids have their own spa too—Scooops Kid Spa offers ice-cream-themed manicures and pedicures designed exclusively for children ages 4-12. Stay in one of the camp-themed rooms and enjoy on-site restaurants, shopping, an interactive arcade and a fitness center.
Great Wolf Lodge
20500 Old Highway 99, SW
Grand Mound, WA 98531
(800) 640-9653
greatwolf.com
