Does It Snow in Leavenworth? Snow Season Guide
Yes — Leavenworth averages roughly 95 inches of snow a year, making it one of the snowier towns in Washington. The season typically runs from November through March, with December and January the heaviest months. But “does it snow” and “will it be snowing on the exact day I visit” are two different questions, and the second one is less certain than the postcard photos suggest.
Leavenworth sits at about 1,170 feet in a flat valley bottom — low by Cascade standards, even though the peaks ringing town rise to 5,000 to 8,000 feet. That low elevation means the town can catch a stretch of rain instead of snow during a warm December, even while the mountains above it are getting hammered. If you want snow guaranteed rather than snow hoped-for, the higher-elevation spots later in this guide are the safer bet.
When the snow actually falls
Snow season in Leavenworth runs November through March, but the months are not created equal:
- November — the season’s opening act, averaging around 5 inches. Snow shows up but rarely sticks for long this early.
- December — usually the snowiest calendar month, averaging somewhere in the 15 to 20 inch range depending on the year. It is also the least reliable month for a guaranteed white-snow look downtown — more on that below.
- January — the cold, settled heart of winter, and along with December the most likely month to have snow on the ground for your whole visit.
- February — still solidly winter, with snowpack usually well established, especially at Ski Hill and in the surrounding mountains.
- March — the tail end of the season; snow is common early in the month and increasingly patchy by the end of it.
Why some years are greener than others
Leavenworth’s snow is not a sure thing every single year, even at the height of the Christmas Lighting Festival. The town’s valley-floor elevation, combined with the Cascades’ famously variable weather, means a warm, wet December can leave downtown streets bare while ski areas an hour away are just fine. It has happened before: coverage of the town’s “Christmastown, USA” branding has reported years when film crews and photographers scouting the Village of Lights found brown, muddy ground instead of snow, and had to source snow from elsewhere to get the picture-postcard look.
None of this means snow is rare — most years deliver at least some accumulation downtown by late December. It just means “guaranteed” is the wrong word. If snow on the ground is the whole point of your trip, treat downtown Leavenworth as likely rather than certain, and have a backup plan from the next section.
Where to see snow in December, even in a light year
If downtown is having a slow snow year, higher ground nearby usually is not:
- Leavenworth Ski Hill — sits at a higher base elevation than downtown and runs snow tubing and rope-tow skiing through the season. A light-snow December in town does not necessarily mean a light-snow December at the hill.
- Stevens Pass — about 37 miles west of town at a 4,061-foot base elevation, well above the valley floor, which makes it the more dependable bet for real snowpack early in the season. See our winter recreation options for details.
- Plain Valley and the Icicle River Nordic Trail — groomed cross-country trails that need real accumulation to open, so their condition reports are a good gauge of how much snow is actually on the ground that week.
For a full rundown of things to do once the snow is down, see our Leavenworth in Winter guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it always snow for Christmas in Leavenworth?
Not always. Most years bring at least some snow to downtown by the Christmas Lighting Festival, but Leavenworth’s low valley elevation means a warm December can leave the ground bare even while nearby mountains are getting snow. It is common enough that local press has covered “green” holiday seasons in what is branded as Christmastown, USA.
What month does it usually start snowing in Leavenworth?
Snow typically starts in November, though it is usually light and does not stick for long that early. December is when accumulation becomes reliable, and the snow season generally runs through March.
How much snow does Leavenworth get in a year?
Leavenworth averages roughly 95 inches of snow annually, with December and January typically the heaviest months.
Where can I find guaranteed snow near Leavenworth in December?
Higher-elevation spots are the safer bet than downtown: Leavenworth Ski Hill’s tubing and rope-tow terrain, Stevens Pass about 37 miles west at a 4,061-foot base, and groomed Nordic trails at Plain Valley and Icicle River, which only open once there is real accumulation.
Is Leavenworth colder than Seattle in winter?
Yes, noticeably. Leavenworth sits east of the Cascades in a drier, more continental climate, so it runs colder and snowier in winter than Seattle, which stays milder and wetter on the west side of the mountains.
