Summer isn’t the only season for outdoor fun. Winter brings cooler temperatures, glistening snow, and plenty of opportunities for play.
If you love winter sports and pastimes, Washington State offers your family a huge playground for downhill and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating, tubing and more. No matter if you are a young first-timer or a seasoned adventurer, the mountains, rolling hills and valleys found in Washington bring a breathtaking beauty to any winter outdoor sport.
For example, if skiing and snowboarding in Washington are on your to-do list this season, check out Crystal Mountain in Mount Rainier National Park where not only can you experience shushing through half a dozen basins, but also enjoy beautiful views of the mountain up close. Each year, snowboarders flock to Mount Baker, with an average annual snowfall of 647 inches, to experience terrain in one of the areas many call the birthplace of the sport. A short drive from the Canadian border or downtown Seattle, Mount Baker is an active volcano, standing 10,778 feet, offering spectacular scenery and hundreds of acres to discover. Want adventure right outside the city? Head over to Snoqualmie Pass, one hour east of Seattle, which not only gives skiers and snowboarders of all levels excellent runs at Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area, but also provides access to tubing hills and cross country ski and snowshoe trails as well.
Snowmobile fans can find about 80 lots within Washington State Parks to park a car, unload the snowmobiles and head out on more than 3,000 miles of groomed trails. Echo Valley Sno-Park in the west central part of the state near Chelan, and Lake Easton Sno-Park, located on Highway 90, southeast of Seattle, are just two of the popular sites to hit the snowmobile trails.
If ice skating is the winter sport that interests you, Spokane is hosting the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January–where the U.S. Figure Skating team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be named–just in time for the opening ceremonies on February 12, 2010.
Washington is just a short drive across the border from many of the Winter Olympic sport locations, making it easy for you to plan your outdoor fun around a quick trip to catch some of the Olympic action.
You say winter sports aren’t your thing? Don’t forget that the Puget Sound area often enjoys a snow-less winter, and cities such as Seattle and Tacoma offer a variety of indoor cultural experiences, including symphony, ballet, opera, live theater and Broadway road shows, to name a few. For a relaxed adventure outside the bustling city streets, hop a ferry to the San Juan Islands and enjoy some winter island time with hiking, kayaking, shopping, or just cozy fireplace-sitting.
Once you have your winter fun trip planned, don’t forget these Washington travel tips:
* Washington’s climate is mild, but the mountains can be much colder. Average temperatures for the winter months range from near freezing to around 40 degrees in western Washington, with below-freezing temperatures in the mountains; so remember to pack extra waterproof clothes in case your trip includes mountain adventures.
* Plan ahead for the equipment you need. If you anticipate renting everything, contact a rental place near where you’re staying or heading out for some fun before your trip to reserve exactly what you need. Visit www.experiencewa.com to find links for locations of recreation businesses and sites including rentals. If you’re bringing your equipment, make sure you plan around airline baggage requirements or space in your vehicle to get everyone to Washington comfortably.
* Don’t forget the sunblock. Yes, even in winter, the sun’s rays reflecting off snow can cause a painful burn.
* Pack a camera to capture everyone carving the slopes or flying down a snow tubing hill.
