Snow Pass

There’s no season like snow season in the Pacific Northwest.

Summit at Snoqualmie

Nearby mountain foothills and ski resorts provide plenty of snow fun, meaning Seattle-area skiers and snowboarders have a variety of choices.

Closest to the city at a 30-minute drive away, Summit at Snoqualmie (1001 SR 906, Snoqualmie Pass; summitatsnoqualmie.com) has four separate areas with 26 lifts and plenty of terrain to explore. Kids and the young at heart can forgo the lifts for an adrenaline-pumping tubing run instead.

Southeast of Seattle, Crystal Mountain Resort (*33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd, Crystal Mountain; crystalmountainresort.com) is the state’s largest ski area with something for everyone, from cruisy groomers to backcountry bowls. Ride up to the summit on the gondola for a picture-perfect view of Mount Rainier.

About two hours northeast of Seattle, Stevens Pass (*Summit Stevens Pass, Hwy 2, Skykomish; stevenspass.com) is an ideal option for those who like to make the most of their time on the slopes—the resort stays open until 10pm most nights.

For a stunning snowshoe adventure, it’s tough to beat Mt. Rainier National Park (nps.gov/mora). Mazama Ridge is a pretty three-mile round-trip trek that starts at the Jackson Visitor Center in Paradise. Those who’d like a little guidance can take a ranger-led snowshoe tour from late December through March. Over in Olympic National Park (nps.gov/olym), Hurricane Hill offers tranquil views of the Olympic Mountains and San Juan Islands without the bustle of the warm-weather hiking crowd.

And for a truly winter scene bursting with snowy fun, look no further than Leavenworth (*leavenworth.org), a little slice of Bavaria about three hours east of Seattle. This picturesque town in the North Cascades is the place to go for sleigh rides, sledding, and the only ski jump on the West Coast.

*Visit Seattle Partner