Washington has approximately 120 sno-parks, with 80 designated for snowmobiles and 40 for non-motorized snow activities including snow play. Sno-Parks are at the core of Washington's winter recreation program, according to the parks department. These recreation sites provide cleared parking areas, located near groomed and backcountry trails, for winter recreation.
Winter resorts all over the state give people opportunities to enjoy sports, snow play and nature. Some resorts are day-use only, and others are all-inclusive, with winter activities, overnight lodging, restaurants and other amenities.
Most non-motorized sno-parks have backcountry trails; some have groomed trails and snow play areas. Permits are required to park in and use sno-parks. Washington State licensed vehicles must have a Washington Sno-Park permit, as explained in Washington State Parks guidelines.
Examples of non-motorized sno-parks include Windriver Winter Recreation Area Sno-parks, located near the Columbia River Gorge. The Oldman Pass and Koshko Sno-Parks, around 3,060 feet, offer 40 miles of cross-country ski trails.
Oldman Pass sno-park also has a snowplay area for sledding and tubing. Two loops from these sno-parks arrive at viewpoints where skiers can see Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams, according to the Windriver Winter Recreation Guide. There are no snowmobile trails in this area.
Washington State Parks Department
Winter Recreation Program
1111 Israel Road S.W.
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
360-586-6643
Snowmobiling on the more than 3,000 miles of groomed trails is one of the Washington's most popular winter activities. All snowmobiles must be registered and registration fees go towards grooming trails and creating sno-parks.
An example of a sno-park that welcomes snow mobiles is the Mad River sno-park in the Leavenworth/Chelan region, just north of Wenatchee. This sno-park's elevation is 2,500 feet, and it encompasses a 186-mile trail system that includes sanitary facilities along the trails, scenic views and U.S. Forest Service campgrounds. If Mad River sno-park is full, you can try the Fish Lake sno-park that uses the same trail system and has more parking spaces.
Washington State Parks and Recreation
Winter Recreation Program
1111 Israel Road S.W.
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
360-902-8844
Many Washington winter resorts do not offer overnight lodging. One day-use resort is the family-friendly 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, located one hour north of Spokane, Washington. The resort offers over 2,000 acres of skiing, and has 300 inches of average annual snowfall.
Snowboarding Washington describes the resort as "well-maintained with wide open groomed runs, moguls, desert dried powder and hundreds of acres of legendary tree skiing."
In 2010, the resort opened its new 49 Degrees North Nordic Center, a lodge-like yurt with a deck overlooking the Nordic Trail System. Popular winter activities at this resort are Nordic and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, skating and half pipe. Classes are available for all levels and ages.
Visitors wishing to stay overnight near the resort can often find local inns, lodges, motels and bed and breakfast accommodations.
49 Degrees North Resort
3311 Flowery Trail Road
Chewelah, WA 99109
509-935-6649
ski49n.com
Alta Crystal Resort offers winter visitors comfortable accommodations in a relaxing “mountain lodge atmosphere," as described on Frommer’s National Parks Guide website. The resort, just outside Mount Rainier’s Sunrise entrance, has “wooded grounds and makes a good base in winter” for skiers heading to Crystal Mountain’s slopes, just minutes away.
In addition to offering challenging terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders, the mountain has beginner and intermediate terrain, ski classes and a kids camp. Children ages 10 and under ski free all season.
Each of the resort’s 23 rooms has a fireplace, small kitchen, wireless Internet and satellite television. The resort also has a year-round heated pool, hot tub, restaurants, recreation lodge and pet-friendly suites.
Alta Crystal Resort
68317 SR 410 East
Greenwater, WA 98022
360.663.2500
