Important: Call 511 for highway conditions/closures before planning a trip to the mountains.
Cross-country skiing is a delightful way to spend a day in the snow. It’s a pleasurable, gliding movement through stunning winter environments. It’s an easy skill to pick up – easier than downhill skiing or snowboarding. Only snowshoeing (best described as laborious walking) has less of a skill barrier. You can easily go out without a lesson, provided there’s an adult around who can give you pointers. It gives you a chance to explore serene and beautiful places, all while getting your heart pumping and your cheeks flushed.
Here are some cross-country destinations that are not too far from Seattle. All have a variety of groomed trails. A few of them come with their own instructors and rental shops.
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.
Before you go, check the conditions. West Cascades skiing has its ups and downs at the best of times and many cross-country ski trails are low on the mountain. Drive-time estimates are based on leaving Seattle at 8 a.m. on a Saturday. (And if you’re more of a downhill skier, read: Bring on the snow! Best ski areas you can drive to from Seattle.)
Summit at Snoqualmie
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.
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.
Hyak Snow Park
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 near site: tubing hill and designated snow play area.
Cabin Creek
Driving time from Seattle: 1 hour
Conditions: posted on Kongsberger ski club website
Elevation: 2,430 feet
Fees: Every vehicle needs a Seasonal Sno-Park Permit with a Special Groomed Trails Permit.
Rentals: no
Lessons: no
Suncadia
Driving time from Seattle: 1.5 hours
Conditions: here
Elevation: 2,250 feet
Fees: none.
Rentals: available
Other activities: snowmobiling and guided winter hikes available
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
Detailed conditions: here
Elevation: 3,300 feet
Rentals: available
Lessons: available
Other activities: downhill skiing and snowboarding, snow play area
Lake Wenatchee
Driving time from Seattle: 2.5 hours
Conditions: call Lake Wenatchee State Park 509-763-3101
Elevation: 1,875 feet
Fees: Each vehicle needs a Sno-Park Permit with a Special Groomed Trails Permit.
Rentals: no
Lessons: no
Other activities near site: tubing hill and designated snow play area.
Leavenworth Ski Hill
Driving time from Seattle: 2.5 hours
Conditions: skileavenworth.com/conditions
Elevation: about 1,500 feet
Rentals: The ski hill itself does not provide them, but there are six different places in Leavenworth to rent cross-country skis. Here’s the list.
Lessons: There are lots of options for lessons. Check here for more information.
Other activities near the site: downhill skiing and snowboarding, tubing, fat biking
White Pass
Driving time from Seattle: 3 hours
Conditions: skiwhitepass.com/snow-report
Elevation: 4,500 feet
Rentals: Available
Lessons: Group and private lessons are available. Call 509-672-3101 (option 6) to reserve.
Other activities near the site: Downhill skiing and snowboarding, tubing, and fat biking.
Read more
Find more things to do in the winter
Guide to snowshoeing for the family
Tips about skiing with your kids
Where to go ice skating this holiday season and throughout the year
