As winter rolls around, you may think of drinking hot chocolate by the fire, blazing down a mountain slope on a snowboard, or taking the family on a drive over the hill to Grandma’s house. This year, spend some of the chilly days of winter on the White Pass Scenic Byway in Washington State. Go snowboarding, downhill skiing, or snowshoeing. Whatever your favorite snow-filled sport, make this winter a time to remember!
Though the origins of the original “snowboard” are debated, the now immensely popular sport has taken the slopes by storm, even landing a spot in the Winter Olympics. Pack your craziest winter cap and your best board and come shred the slopes at White Pass Ski Resort, 20 miles east of Packwood, a small mountain hamlet. With 32 trails and an annual snowfall of 350 inches, there's plenty of snow to go around for both snowboarders and skiers! Bring the whole family-- the mountain offers skiing and snowboarding trails from beginner to advanced.
Do you have a need for speed? Snowmobiling is definitely the winter activity for you! Head to Gifford Pinchot National Forest, one of America’s oldest national forests, which contains 1,312,000 acres, including Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. For a fun and safe trip, be sure to check up on the Forest's latest snowmobiling rules and regulations as well as current weather conditions.
For thousands of years, snowshoeing was primarily used as a mode of transportation. Now folks of all ages will strap on a pair of snowshoes and trek out to find solitude and silence in the wilderness. White Pass Ski Resort boasts 32 trails while Gifford Pinchot National Forest has around 1,500 miles of trails. In addition, the byway runs close to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, where snowshoe walks to Snoqualmie Pass are conducted by guides who share their knowledge of the ecology and wildlife of the region. You might even spot a snowshoe hare or a lynx!
Cross-country skiing is another popular and invigorating winter sport you can enjoy on the trails in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and White Pass Ski Resort. All these areas have groomed and un-groomed trails, so gear up and marvel at spectacular views of mountains, forests and wildlife as you slide your way through fresh white powder and hillsides of evergreens tipped in frost.
This winter, create fun-filled memories with your family by cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, or snowshoeing on the White Pass Scenic Byway. It’s time to hit the slopes!
White Pass Scenic Byway
White Pass Scenic Byway