LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON

Winter Recreation in Leavenworth

Ski, sled, snowshoe, and sleigh through Washington’s Bavarian Alps.

ACTIVITIESTRAILSKNOW BEFORE YOU GOFAQPLAN YOUR TRIP

WINTER IN THE CASCADES

Powder First, Lights Later.

Winter here is for playing outside — a historic family ski hill minutes from downtown, nonprofit-groomed nordic trails from Icicle Creek to the Plain Valley, and snowshoe trails that start where the sidewalks stop. (Half a million holiday lights still glow nightly from Thanksgiving through February — that’s what après-ski is for.) Pick an activity below to start planning — and grab maps and current conditions at the Willkommen Center.

SKI HILL

Since 1928

the town’s historic family ski hill, run by the nonprofit winter sports club

NORDIC

26 km

of groomed nordic track on the club’s trails, from the Icicle to the golf course

SKI AREAS

4

Ski Hill in town, Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge 32 miles out, and Plain Valley’s nordic trails up the road

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE

Six Ways to Spend a Winter Day

Learn about local activity providers, get outfitted, and book your adventure — browse our recreation partners below.

Skiers on the slopes at Leavenworth Ski Hill

Skiing & Snowboarding

A historic family ski hill minutes from town — plus Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge, each just 32 miles away.

Nordic skiing on the groomed Icicle River Trails

Nordic & Cross-Country

Glide groomed river-valley track — eleven nordic trail systems from downtown to Stevens Pass. Up the road in Plain, the nonprofit Plain Valley Ski Trails grooms a top-tier cross-country network daily — and one Valley Pass covers both systems.

Snowshoeing through deep snow near Leavenworth

Snowshoeing

Deep-snow forests and quiet river meadows — snowshoe rentals and maps available in town.

Tubing hill at Leavenworth Ski Hill

Sledding & Tubing

The Ski Hill’s 100-foot tubing hill has a rope tow, tubes on site, and hot cocoa in the lodge.

Horse-drawn sleigh ride near Leavenworth

Sleigh Rides

Warm blankets, frosty air, and horse-drawn runners gliding through snowy river valleys.

Snowmobile tour in the Cascades backcountry

Snowmobiling

Guided backcountry tours over snowed-in mountain roads and meadows — first-timers welcome.

More Winter Ideas

Families sledding in the park in downtown Leavenworth

Tubing →

Fireworks over the village during Winter Karneval

Winter Karneval →

Half a million holiday lights in the Bavarian village

Village of Lights →

Snowshoers on a winter trail near Leavenworth

All Winter Trails →

Also handy: Events Calendar · Getting Here

TRAIL REPORTS & RESOURCES

Winter Trails, Simplified

Start with four local favorites, or browse every nordic and snowshoe trail. Pick up a paper map at the Willkommen Center before you head out.

NORDIC · 8 KM GROOMED

Icicle River Nordic Trail

Gentle groomed loops along the Icicle with big mountain views — the classic family nordic outing.

NORDIC · AT THE SKI HILL

Ski Hill Nordic Trails

Groomed climbs and village views at the historic ski hill, minutes from downtown.

SNOWSHOE · FOREST & CREEK

Icicle River Snowshoe Trail

A snow-hushed walk beside the Icicle — bring layers, a headlamp, and a thermos.

NORDIC · GROOMED DAILY

Plain Valley Ski Trails

Daily-groomed cross-country up the valley in Plain — skate and classic, top-tier corduroy.

Winter ski & snowshoe trails map — tap to enlarge

NOVEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY

Village of Lights: Christmastown

Half a million lights turn the Bavarian village into a storybook each winter. Christmastown festivities fill the streets November 27 – December 24, Winter Karneval brings live ice carving and fireworks to January weekends, and the lights glow every evening through the end of February.

Lights on nightly from Thanksgiving through the end of February — free to wander.

BE READY, BE KIND

Know Before You Go

SNO-PARKS & PASSES

Passes & Permits

Many groomed winter trailheads require a Sno-Park permit to park, and trail tickets on the club-groomed nordic trails are what keep the corduroy coming.

  • Sno-Park permits: required November 1 – April 30 to park at state Sno-Park trailheads. Daily and seasonal permits are sold online at parks.wa.gov and by local vendors — some groomed Sno-Parks also need a special groomed-trails sticker, so check each trail page for what applies.
  • Nordic trail tickets: the nonprofit Leavenworth Winter Sports Club grooms the Icicle River Trails, Golf Course, and Ski Hill trails — day tickets are sold in person at each area’s ticket booth (not online) and fund the grooming. Current rates at skileavenworth.com.
  • Plain Valley Ski Trails: the nonprofit PVST grooms a high-end cross-country network in the Plain Valley daily in season — day and season passes fund their youth nordic team, and the Valley Pass covers both PVST and Leavenworth Winter Sports Club trails all winter. Note: no dogs on PVST’s groomed trails. Details at skiplain.com.
  • Lift tickets: Ski Hill sells downhill and tubing tickets in person at the ticket booth only; Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge sell theirs online — book ahead on busy weekends.

ROADS & WEATHER

Drive Smart

US-2 over Stevens Pass is plowed all winter but can require chains or close in storms — check conditions before you drive, carry traction devices, and remember daylight fades before 4:30 pm in December.

Give a Schnitzel

Giving a Schnitzel means caring for the trails, rivers, and wild places we all share — in every season. Look for our recreation ambassadors around the village and at trailheads; they have maps, supplies, and swag.

  • Take an active role in caring for our shared lands.
  • Pack layers, traction, and a headlamp — winter days are short.
  • Be mindful of trail etiquette — keep snowshoes and boots off groomed ski track.
  • Embrace the Leavenworth Way: be nice, be patient, take your time.

Recreation Ambassador crest

GOOD TO KNOW

Winter Recreation FAQ

The Leavenworth Ski Hill tubing hill is minutes from downtown — 100 feet of snowy fun with a rope tow, tubes provided, and hot cocoa in the lodge. Tickets are sold at the hill and are good for six runs. More local spots are on our sledding page.

Many groomed nordic and snowshoe trailheads use Sno-Park or trail-specific parking passes, and day tickets at club-groomed trails like the Icicle River Trails — sold at the on-site ticket booth — fund the grooming. Check each listing on our winter trails page for parking and pass details, or ask at the Willkommen Center.

The village glows every evening from Thanksgiving through the end of February. Christmastown festivities run November 27 – December 24, and Winter Karneval takes over weekends in January with live ice carving and fireworks.

Sledding and tubing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, gentle snowshoe walks, and evening strolls under the lights are all easy wins with kids — and most are within a few minutes of downtown.

Many snowshoe routes welcome leashed dogs, but groomed cross-country ski tracks often do not — paw prints ruin the track for skiers. Check each trail listing on our winter trails page before you go.

Stop by the Willkommen Center in downtown Leavenworth for free winter trail maps and local advice, or call 509.548.5807. Ski, snowshoe, and tube rentals are available in town — see each activity page for providers — and check our Getting Here page for US-2 and Stevens Pass road conditions before you drive.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Make It a Weekend

Winter weekends book up fast in the village — find your basecamp, then wander half a million lights after dinner.

Questions? Call 509.548.5807 or stop by the Willkommen Center downtown.

Leavenworth Destination Guide