If you enjoy winter sports, you’ll love the town of Winthrop, Washington. Part of the Methow Valley’s winter wonderland, Winthrop is home to North America’s largest network of cross-country ski trails. Winthrop offers much more than skiing, however. We offer something for everyone who loves snow sports and beautiful scenery.
Why not start the day by strapping on snowshoes and hiking the Methow Trails? Then drop by the Winthrop Rink (“heaven on ice,” according to the NHL) for figure skating or hockey. End the day by taking the whole family for a rip on fat bikes.
If you prefer a more relaxing stay, you can get cozy by the wood-fire stove at your hotel. Lose yourself in a good book from Trail’s End Bookstore or the Winthrop Public Library. Explore the locally owned shops on Riverside Ave. in downtown Winthrop. End the day with a delicious meal at one of our local restaurants. Regardless of how you spend your time in Winthrop, you’ll enjoy an authentic, one-of-a-kind winter experience.
Here are Winthrop’s top-10 winter activities, ranked by locals and visitors from across North America and around the globe (in no particular order).
#1. Cross-Country Skiing:
The Methow Trails system includes over 200 kilometers (120 miles) of cross-country trails, making it the largest cross-country ski area in North America. That’s right, not just Washington State or the U.S., but all of North America. With over 120 miles of groomed, interconnected cross-country ski trails, surrounded by more than one million acres of wilderness and forest lands, the Methow Valley is a winter wonderland like no other.
If you are new to cross-country skiing, you can rent skis in downtown Winthrop from Winthrop Mountain Sports, Methow Cycle & Sport, or Cascade Outdoor Store. Winthrop Mountain Sports also offers ski lessons if you are brand new to cross-country skiing or simply want a refresher. Regardless of your experience, make sure to get your ski pass before hitting the trails.
Dog lovers will feel right at home in the Methow. We recently were named one of the top dog-friendly vacation spots in Washington State. Over 35 miles of trails allow dog access. Three Rendezvous Huts serve canine guests overnight as well as, Abbycreek Inn, Sun Mountain Lodge, Rolling Huts, and more.
#2. Ice Fishing:
Looking for some premium ice fishing in the Methow Valley? Look no farther than the lakes in Winthrop. Patterson Lake is considered one of the top spots in Washington State for ice fishing. The lake is full of largemouth bass, bluegill, kokanee, black crappie, yellow perch, and rainbow trout. The best times to get a catch are in the morning and evening. Patterson Lake typically starts to develop safe ice conditions in late December. Make sure to check the ice conditions before heading out. Call Sun Mountain Lodge to ask about current ice conditions for fishing.
#3. Snowshoeing:
Scenic and peaceful snowshoe trails wind their way through the entire Methow Trails network, with the highest concentration of trails in the Sun Mountain area. A few suggestions for Methow snowshoe trails: (1) Beaver Loop is a gentle upper-valley signed path that goes through the cedar forest and beaver-chewed cottonwood along Early Winters Creek; and (2) Rager Creek Loop is a higher-elevation scenic route at Sun Mountain.
Methow Trails has shared-use trails, with many open exclusively to snowshoers. Check the winter maps for full details on each trailhead. A $5 snowshoe trail pass or ski pass will grant you access to the snowshoe trails. Snowshoeing is a beautiful way to explore the gems of Winthrop and the Methow Valley in the winter.
#4. Snowmobiling:
Methow Valley summer Forest Service roads turn into a snowmobile playground in the winter. The Methow Valley has access to about half of the county’s 384 miles of groomed trails. Favorite kick-off points include trailheads at Eight Mile; Chewuch Loop and Boulder Creek, which are up the Chewuch basin; Yellowjacket; and Goat Creek, which is up the Methow mainstem toward Mazama. Check out Buttermilk and Libby Creek, which are up the Twisp River Basin. Be sure to visit Winthrop’s newest snowmobile rental and guide business, Snowmobile Winthrop, to plan your snowmobile trip.
#5. Cold Plunging and Polar Swimming:
If you are ready to shock your system, a cold plunge in Winthrop is calling your name. You can take a dip in the Methow River, right in downtown Winthrop, or visit the Twisp River. Make sure you have dry clothes and a towel ready when you’re finished. If you have tried cold plunging before, you probably are aware of its health benefits and relaxing feel (once the shock wears off). The beauty of the Methow Valley makes cold plunging and polar swimming truly special.
#6. Fat Tire Biking:
Methow Trails allows fat tire biking, also known as fat biking, on a variety of cross-country ski trails. There also are trails at Pearrygin Lake State Park and on the adjacent Department of Wildlife land. Fat biking is allowed on 23 kilometers of trails at the Loup Loup Ski Bowl Nordic area. Bear Creek Golf Course offers eight beginner-friendly kilometers of groomed trails that tie into the Pearrygin and Lloyd Ranch trails.
Fat bikes are available for rent at Methow Cycle and Sport, Abbycreek Inn, and Bear Creek Golf Course. If you are a cyclist but haven’t tried fat biking, this definitely is something to add to your winter to-do list. Riders must display a trail pass when riding on groomed trails where passes are required. Fat bike day passes are $10, and season passes are $50. If you have a ski day pass or annual pass already, those will give you access.
#7. Ski Touring:
If you are looking to get the most out of your backcountry skiing experience, why not travel with an expert? North Cascades Mountain Guides offers guided tours into the North Cascades. They provide all the knowledge, gear, and experience for a fun and safe adventure. They also offer avalanche safety courses to help you increase your own backcountry knowledge and experience. And, if you’re looking to get to backcountry skiing in style, North Cascade Heli has you covered. Their heli-skiing operation will fly you into the North Cascades, dropping you on top of some of the most spectacular peaks in North America.
#8. Ice Skating:
The town of Winthrop is home to the Winthrop Rink, an outdoor ice rink that is described by NHL Seattle as, “heaven on ice.” The Rink offers open skating, pick-up hockey, and figure skating every day of the week. Check the ice schedule at the Winthrop Rink website. The Rink offers hockey pad rentals, as well as ice skates and helmets. Day passes are affordable. The indoor upstairs viewing room allows the non-skating members of your party to enjoy the experience from a comfortable vista.
#9. Drop-in Hockey:
The Winthrop Rink offers daily drop-in hockey sessions throughout the winter. Sessions are $15. You must be 15 or older and have full gear to be eligible. So, pack your gear if you plan to participate in drop-in hockey at the Winthrop Rink during your visit. There are a wide range of drop-in sessions to suit all experience levels.
#10. Cozy Reading & Delicious Dining:
If you prefer to stay comfy and warm inside, rather than enjoy a snowy outside adventure, head to the Trail’s End Bookstore for some adventure between the pages. Or visit our award-winning Winthrop Public Library and cozy up next to the wood-fire stove. And stop by Winthrop’s cute and comfortable cafes— Rocking Horse Bakery, Arrowleaf Bistro, and Blue Star Coffee Roasters in Twisp—for something yummy.
Looking forward to seeing you on the trails, in the shops, and at the cafes this winter. For additional information, follow us on social media @winthrop.washington.
