Where to cross-country ski near Seattle with kids

Important: Call 511 for highway conditions and closures before planning a trip to the mountains.

Wondering where to cross-country ski near Seattle with kids in tow? Cross-country skiing is one of the most approachable ways for families to enjoy the snow — no chairlifts, no steep learning curve, and plenty of room to move at your own pace. The gliding motion is intuitive, the trails are often quieter than downhill resorts, and most kids can pick it up quickly with a few pointers from an adult.

From groomed Nordic centers with rentals and lessons to Sno-Parks and forested trail systems, there are several cross-country ski trails in Washington that make for an easy winter day trip from Seattle. Below, you’ll find family-friendly spots with trail details, elevation, permit info, and nearby activities — plus tips on where to rent skis if you don’t own your own gear.

If you’re new to Nordic skiing or planning to bring younger kids along, you may want to start with our guide to cross-country skiing with kids, which covers gear, ski trailers, classic vs. skate skiing, and what to expect when toddlers hit the snow for the first time.

If your destination does not have a rental shop, you can rent skis at Ascent Outdoors, which has locations in Ballard and Redmond, or Seattle Ski in Shoreline.

Cross-country skiing is just one of many ways Seattle families can enjoy winter in the mountains. Several of the destinations below are also near major ski areas near Seattle, making it easy to pair Nordic trails with downhill skiing or tubing. And for families hoping to avoid daytime crowds, night skiing can be a surprisingly kid-friendly alternative once children are comfortable on the snow.

Summit at Snoqualmie

• Driving time from Seattle: 1 hour
• Conditions: summitatsnoqualmie.com/conditions
• Elevation: 2,610 feet
• Rentals: Available onsite.
• Lessons: Available onsite.
• Other activities near site: downhill skiing and snowboarding.

Tickets and rentals will be available for purchase later in December. Follow our social media channels and sign up for our email newsletter for updates. If your child is looking to learn how to cross-country ski, then the Summit at Snoqualmie offers classes starting in January. For more details, click here.

Hyak Sno-Park

The sledding hill is currently closed due to a lack of snow, and trail grooming is suspended until more snow accumulates. Check here for updates.

• Driving Time from Seattle: 1 hour
• Conditions: Recorded message line 509-656-2230
• Elevation: 2,560 feet.
• Fees: Each vehicle needs a Sno-Park Permit with a Special Groomed Trails Permit.
• Rentals: No
• Lessons: No
• Other Activities: Tubing hill and a designated snow play area.

Cabin Creek

There is currently not enough snow for grooming the trails. Check here or here for the latest information.

• Driving Time from Seattle: 1 hour
• Conditions: Posted on Kongsberger ski club website
• Elevation: 2,430 feet
• Fees: Every vehicle requires a Seasonal Sno-Park Permit, in addition to a Special Groomed Trails Permit.
• Rentals: No
• Lessons: No

Stevens Pass

The Stevens Pass Nordic Center is located just 5 miles east of the pass in Mill Valley. Mill Valley is the quiet side of Stevens Pass and a friendly place to explore nature’s winter wonder.

• Driving Time from Seattle: 2 hours
• Conditions: Here
• Elevation: 3,300 feet
• Rentals: Available
• Lessons: Available
• Other Activities: Downhill skiing and snowboarding, snow play area

Lake Wenatchee

Certain parts of the park are better/worse for skiing depending on the most recent grooming report, which you can see here.

• Driving Time from Seattle: 2.5 hours
• Conditions: call Lake Wenatchee State Park 509-763-3101
• Elevation: 1,875 feet
• Fees: Each vehicle requires a Sno-Park Permit, as well as a Special Groomed Trails Permit.
• Rentals: No
• Lessons: No
• Other Activities: Tubing hill and designated snow play area.

Leavenworth Ski Hill

Opening is TBD. Check here for updates.

• Driving Time from Seattle: 2.5 hours
• Conditions: Here
• Elevation: 1,500 feet
• Rentals: The ski hill itself does not provide rentals, but there are six different places in Leavenworth where you can rent cross-country skis. Here’s the list.
• Lessons: There are lots of options for lessons. Check here for more information.
• Other Activities: downhill skiing and snowboarding, tubing, fat biking

White Pass

Nordic Center is open Fridays-Mondays and holidays. Check updates here.

• Driving Time from Seattle: 3 hours
• Conditions: Here
• Elevation: 4,500 feet
• Rentals: Available
• Lessons: Group and private lessons are available. Book lessons here
• Other Activities: Downhill skiing and snowboarding, tubing, and fat biking.