alpine treasure offers downhill, tubing, luging, and cross country
irst, we feel winter in the air. Then we see it coating the hillsides, and soon enough covering the ground.
It can be gradual or sudden, but in any event we in the Methow are glad to see it arrive. It’s special season for being outside, and we have lots of reasons to venture out to our near and far reaches.
The Winthrop Rink will be open by the time you read this, and we’ll be anticipating that the right conditions for Nordic and alpine skiing, snowmobiling, fat biking and snowshoeing won’t be far behind. As for ice fishers, they have to wait until cold weather makes the lake surfaces safe.
Meanwhile, local activities that are not weather-dependent will keep visitors busy until the appropriate snow accumulation arrives, and between periods of outdoor activity when all the trails are open. In Methow Valley Winter 2024-25 you’ll find many options. Also, check out our dining and lodging guides for information about what’s available, from casual to elegant.
Methow Valley Winter 2024-25 is all about helping you do all you can do here. The magazine is full of detailed information about our outdoor activities, plus maps to help you navigate our various trail systems. There’s no part of the valley where you can’t find something to do.
To fully enjoy your Methow experience, here are a few “insider” tips: Take it easy, there’s no need to be in a hurry. Be attentive to winter driving conditions, which can be challenging and change suddenly (a codicil: look out for deer!). Be aware of and heed rules for using trails and other facilities — courtesy and consideration are always appreciated. Be patient — transactions may take a few minutes, but they’re worth the wait. And at the end of the day, go outside for a few minutes and look up. There’s nothing like a clear Methow night for stargazing.
Our advertisers make this publication possible — we hope you will take note of and patronize them. Whether you are a regular or a first-timer, Methow Valley Winter 2024-25 will help you find your way.
Marcy
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Ashley Lodato
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Photo by Steve Mitchell Cora Gregg, daughter of Chad and Aleta Gregg, enjoyed the annual vintage ski festival at Mazama.
Methow Valley News
Photos by Steve Mitchell
The skinny on fat biking
The Methow is a mecca for the growing sport
BY ANN MCCREARY
Fat biking brings out the kid in you. Bouncing along on big wide tires, swooping down hills and around curves, crashing with reckless abandon.
“Fat biking makes you smile!” explains Terry Karro, a Winthrop resident and a fan of fat biking for well over a decade.
“You bounce on those big tires, and if you fall it is generally into soft snow,” Karro says. “I love the
joy of riding on the snow, and the fun of bouncing — it’s like being a kid again.”
Karro was among the early adopters of fat biking in the Methow Valley. In those early days she and her friend Julie Muyllaert, co-owner of Methow Cycle & Sport bike shop, used to pack down trails with snowshoes so they could ride fat bikes on them.
Fat biking really got a boost in the Methow Valley in 2010, when local fat biking aficionados formed an informal organization called Methow Fatbike and began grooming trails for fat bikes on state property
around Pearrygin Lake and on state wildlife land on nearby Lloyd Ranch.
In cooperation with state park and wildlife officials, Methow Fatbike has expanded and improved the trail system over the years, developing a network of more than 20 miles of fat bike and multi-use trails.
From an all-volunteer effort using borrowed snowmobiles, the fat bike grooming program now has paid seasonal groomers and modern new grooming equipment. The trails at Pearrygin and Lloyd Ranch offer a variety of terrain from easy
to advanced, including scenic lakeside trails and challenging climbs w ith sweeping views of the North Cascades and Pasayten Wilderness.
To protect the excellent grooming, only bikes with tires that are 3.8 inches or wider are allowed on the trails. Narrower tires damage the surface and the riding experience.
“The groomers know how to lay out and groom the trails to provide really fun dips and swooping curves and hills and banking,” Karro says.
The groomers, Karro notes, are riders themselves. “Trails in the park and across the street on the
WDFW land offer lots of options to play and they are almost never crowded,” she says.
Expanded over the years
Methow Trails, which operates the
valley’s renowned Nordic ski trail network, has expanded the trail system over the years to include fat bike trails, and offers 20-plus miles of multi-use or fat bike trails.
“The Methow is an amazing place to ride because of the many and varied trails,” Karro says. “I
Fat bike fun in the Methow Valley
WEEKLY WEDNESDAY NIGHT “FAT & FIRE”
Local fat tire enthusiasts will meet for the weekly Fat & Fire, a 60-90 minute group ride and campfire every Wednesday night in winter, beginning mid-December (conditions permitting). Meet at 6 p.m. at Pearrygin Lake State Park with your fat bike and a good light for an evening ride. All levels of riders are welcome! Dress warmly and bring layers for the post-ride activities. Participants must provide their own gear. Rentals are available at local outdoor shops. Bring something to throw on the grill for dinner and warm yourself around the campfire. Fat & Fire is free, but a Sno-Park parking pass is required. For more information, call Methow Cycle & Sport, 996-3645.
METHOW WINTER FAT BIKE MEETUP, MARTIN LUTHER KING
JR. HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN JANUARY
Fat bikers from all over the Northwest and beyond convene in the valley for group rides, night rides, fun and friends. Information is available on the Methow Fatbike Facebook page or Methow Cycle & Sports website (methowcyclesport.com) events listings.
love being able to pop out my door and have wonderful groomed fat bike trails to play on. I like going early for sunrise, and after dark too. I love the beauty of the snow on the trees and meadows, and watching for coyote and bobcat and even cougar tracks on the trails.”
Fat biking is a great sport to do with family and friends, and Methow Fatbike schedules weekly Wednesday evening group rides, dubbed “Fat & Fire.” Conditions permitting, riders meet at Pearrygin Lake State Park for a 60-90 minute ride with headlamps, followed by a campfire and barbecue.
Each year a regional “Fatbike Meetup” is held in the Methow
mountain lifestyle real estate experts
Valley over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend. The event draws riders from around the region to play on the valley’s groomed fat bike trails.
Information about the events can be found on the Methow Fatbike Facebook page or Methow Cycle & Sports website (methowcyclesport. com) events listings.
For people new to fat biking, Karro offers a few tips to make the experience as fun as it can be. “Bring liquids in non-freezable containers, wear layers so you do not freeze, nor sweat to death as you work hard. A bike helmet is a must, with a hat or headband underneath.”
Karro says she invested in an insulated helmet, and wears pack boots or snowshoe boots, insulated tights or Nordic ski pants, and layers on her upper body. And she recommends pogies — insulated covers for handlebars that protect hands from cold and wind.
“Fat biking is a blast — playful and great exercise in our gorgeous outdoors, and it can be a solo ride, hard or contemplative and quiet, or a social ride, always with lots of laughter,” Karro says. “I often laugh aloud even when riding alone ... who is that crazy old lady anyway?”
Note: Only fat bikes with tires 3.8 inches or wider are allowed on these fat bike trails
OPERATED BY METHOW TRAILS:
• Big Valley Ranch — 4.8 miles of easy riding along rivers and through meadows.
• Rendezvous — 7.6 miles on Gunn Ranch Road and to Grizzly Hut with panoramic views.
• Town Trailhead — 6.3 miles of varied terrain, with a gentle trail from the Winthrop Rink or Winthrop Fish Hatchery to more rolling and intermediate riding around Bitterbrush and Barnsley loops.
• Multi-use .7-mile loop around Methow Trails new Horizon Flats office, connecting via a 1.4mile trail to Spring Creek Trailhead and other fat bike trails.
• John’s Way — 3.2 flat miles in Mazama.
OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP BY METHOW FATBIKE VOLUNTEERS, PEARRYGIN LAKE STATE PARK AND WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE:
• Lloyd Ranch — 7.5 miles of groomed fat bike trails over rolling hills with great mountain views.
• Pearrygin State Park — 15 miles of groomed multi-use (ski, snowshoe, fat bike), over a variety of terrain.
GROOMED MOTORIZED TRAILS:
Fat bikes are allowed on groomed snowmobile [motorized] trails accessed by Sno-Parks in the Methow Valley. Headlights and taillights are suggested for safety and visibility by other trail users when biking on snowmobile trails. Trail users must display a Sno-Park pass.
THE SCOOP ON PASSES …
Lloyd Ranch — Sno-Park permit or Discover Pass required for parking, no trail pass required Pearrygin Lake State Park — Sno-Park permit for parking, no trail pass required Methow Trails – $10 daily/$50 annual trail pass, free parking — www.methowtrails.org
Snowmobiles can take you on a leisurely tour through a magical snowcovered forest, winding along a creek, or on an exciting alpine adventure where you’re surrounded by snowcapped mountain peaks. There’s easy access to 175 miles of groomed snowmobile trails from six Sno-Parks in the Methow Valley, which also connect with routes
to Conconully or Chelan from the Loup Loup summit or Gold Creek. You can explore on your own and get to know local trails and other sled enthusiasts by joining a ride with the Methow Valley Snowmobile Association (MVSA), or take a g uided tour with Snowmobile Winthrop.
MVSA rides take sledders to designated backcountry areas to play on the hills. Club rides are open to everyone and are a good way for less-experienced riders to team up with others who know the routes. Riders typically set out in small groups from a Sno-Park.
Snowmobile Winthrop offers professionally led rides to Sweetgrass Butte and Tiffany Meadows in the upper Chewuch area. They lead two-hour, half-day or full-day rides with expert guides who know the terrain and will provide an overview of the latest snowmobile technology. Guides are trained in avalanche safety and wilderness first aid. Snowmobile Winthrop also offers a special three-hour night ride where experienced riders can discover the magic of the moon and stars.
Snowmobile Winthrop rents snowmobiles (the latest, most
fuel-efficient models) for their rides and provides helmets, snowsuits, gloves and boots at no extra charge.
Methow Valley Snowmobile Association rides are varied, with routes chosen based on conditions and riders’ level of experience. Dates and locations will be posted on MVSA’s blog and on Facebook — check on Thursday to see what’s planned for the weekend. (See web addresses below.)
The local Mountain Trails Grooming Association grooms regularly — at least three times a week — although the schedule can change if conditions warrant. They groom
Photo courtesy of Karis Devore
the most popular routes — from Boulder Creek, Eightmile and Goat Creek — most often. They also head up the North Cascades Highway to Cutthroat and up Harts Pass Road to Deadhorse Point every few weeks.
MVSA has three safety warming huts equipped with a wood stove and basic emergency supplies. The huts are on Starvation Mountain, about 1 1/2 miles below the summit, near Shrew Creek; in Blackpine Basin, between the Goat Creek and Yellowjacket Sno-parks; and on Sweetgrass Butte.
Skiers and snowshoers take advantage of the speed and nimbleness of snowmobiles to get to the high country. Backcountry skiers often start their adventure by heading up the North Cascades Highway by sled, and then strap on their skis and climbing skins to get up to powder-filled bowls.
Snowmobile Winthrop rents sleds to skiers and snowboarders who want to explore the backcountry at a different pace (the machines come complete with a small trailer and racks for skis).
There is considerable avalanche terrain from Silver Star through Washington Pass. Winter recreationists should be aware that many people use the backcountry and they may not see or hear other users above or below them. MVSA maintains an avalanche check station at the Silver Star
Sno-Park, where riders and other users can check to be sure their avalanche beacons are working.
Where to go
Sno-Parks and groomed trails
• Eightmile Sno-Park (Chewuch)
• Boulder Creek Sno-Park (Chewuch)
• Goat Creek Sno-Park (Mazama)
• Yellowjacket Sno-Park (Lost River)
• Twisp River Sno-Park (Twisp River/Buttermilk)
• North Summit, Loup Loup
• North Cascades Highway to Cutthroat Lake Road
Special events
Get out to explore
• Information about MVSA rides and events: mvsnowmobile.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/ methowvalleysnowmobile.
• Support MVSA with a membership: family, $20/year; individual, $15/year.
• Snowmobile Winthrop is at snowmobilewinthrop.com or (509) 740-2610.
• For grooming info, check mountaintrailsgrooming.blogspot.com or https://parks.wa.gov/ f ind-sno-parks.
• Connect with local sledders — and find routes suited to your ability — by emailing methowsnowmobilers@gmail.com.
What to bring
• extra warm and waterproof clothing
• extra water and food in case you end up being out overnight
• basic survival gear and first-aid equipment
• emergency blanket
• a way to build a fire
Safety guidelines for avalanche country
• Carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and know how to use them.
• Get the forecast and consider current avalanche and weather conditions when planning your ride.
• Cross avalanche slopes one at a time, and don’t gather in run-out zones.
• Take an avalanche course.
• Look for signs of recent avalanche activity, which indicates snow is unstable, and avoid those areas.
• Check the Northwest Avalanche Center for forecasts at https://nwac. us.
Registration and permits
All snowmobiles must be registered through the Washington State Department of Licensing. People can register their sled online through www.dol.wa.gov or a local licensing agent such as Methow Valley Licensing and Services in Twisp. Registration includes the motorized Sno-Park permit, which is required on groomed trails. Out-of-state riders can get a motorized Sno-Park permit at local businesses, including Hank’s Harvest Foods in Twisp and Pardners M ini Market in Winthrop, or online at https://epermits.parks.wa.gov/ Store/SNO/SnoChoice.aspx.
More info
Winter recreation program specialists provide info about trails, g rooming and Sno-Parks at (360) 902-8684. Also visit https://parks. wa.gov/find-sno-parks for a list of Sno-Parks.
Photo courtesy of Snowmobile Winthrop
Nordic unlimited
The Methow’s trail system is unmatched in North America
BY ASHLEY LODATO
Widely celebrated as the largest Nordic ski trails system in North America, the Methow Trails 200-kilometer network of skate platforms and classic tracks is one of the Methow Valley’s biggest lures.
The trails system is the result of the vision of a group of skiing friends in the 1970s, whose foresight and tireless efforts to secure
rights-of-way on public and private lands gives residents and visitors alike thousands of person-hours of enjoyment and exercise each year. Add the impeccably groomed Nordic trails at Loup Loup’s North and South Summits, and you have more than 250 kilometers of temptation to spend your Nordic vacation in the Methow Valley.
KEY PLAYERS
• Loup Loup Ski Bowl, a community nonprofit ski hill, offers nearly 50 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails near Loup Loup Pass. www.
skitheloup.com/nordic-skiing, (509) 557-3401.
• Methow Trails, a recreation-focused nonprofit organization founded in 1977 that establishes and maintains more than 200 kilometers of trail from Winthrop to Mazama (and beyond). www. methowtrails.org, (509) 996-3287.
FIND TRAILS
There are five major trailheads for access to Nordic skiing in the Methow Valley; three of the main areas are linked.
The Methow Trails system
comprises three main areas, all connected by the 30K Methow Community Trail, which stretches from Winthrop to Mazama with spurs up to Sun Mountain and out to Wilson Ranch and Early Winters Creek. The Sun Mountain and Rendezvous areas are the highest and thus tend to be open earliest (often by Thanksgiving) and stay groomed the longest (through April 1 in good snow years).
■ M ETHOW COMMUNITY TRAIL
With trailheads at several locations along its 30K reaches, the
Photo by Ed Stockard
Methow Community Trail (MCT) is the most easily accessed section of trail in the system. Whether you’re looking for some flat runs through sunny fields, a slow and easy ski after a morning latte at the Mazama Store or the Rocking Horse Bakery in Winthrop, or a fun point-to-point ski with some hill climbing in the middle, the MCT delivers.
The self-service waxing hut at the Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead in Winthrop is insulated and heated for the coming season. An iron and bench are provided; bring your own wax. Many skiers like to make the warming hut at the base of Power’s Plunge a lunch break destination for a flat out-and-back trip from the Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead.
■ S UN MOUNTAIN
If you like varied terrain, the Sun Mountain trails are the ones for you. Climb up Thompson Road for sweeping views, then swoop back down as
fast as you dare. Or take the moderate Little Wolf trail out and explore an old homestead site, or whoop it up on the roller coaster Yellowjacket trail. There are a solid handful of relatively flat trails as well, and dozens of different loops for those who don’t like to repeat terrain.
The Chickadee Trailhead, which feeds into the majority of the Sun Mountain trails, has a warming hut and a welcoming front porch in the sun, while up the hill the Sun Mountain Lodge offers both casual and fine dining options or a cup of hot cocoa. An illustrated “StorySki” makes Chickadee an appealing place to start with the kids.
Although you’ll see evidence of the 2021 Cedar Creek Fire along some of the trails at the outer reach es of the Sun Mountain trail system — T hompson Road, AquaLoop, and Upper Inside Passage in particu lar — for the most part your skiing experience will be unaffected by wildfire impact.
THE LOCAL CONCIERGE
■ R ENDEZVOUS
Don’t ski the Rendezvous if you don’t like hills. But if you do, the Rendezvous won’t disappoint. The Rendezvous offers a point-to-point to ski to Mazama (if you don’t mind a laborious vehicle shuttle) as well as access to numerous loops in the Rendezvous Pass area that really make you feel as if you are out in the backcountry. The Gunn Ranch Road is a spectacular and sunny way to access the Rendezvous trails and cuts out some of the elevation gain, but it gets quite crowded on weekends, especially as it is both a dog trail and a fat bike trail.
■ T HE LOUP
The Loup Loup Pass area offers a small but worthwhile Nordic option: South Summit. Located 12 miles east of Twisp, South Summit features 50K of trails with some dog-friendly options. Trail passes are not required but a Sno-Park permit, available at the Loup Loup ticket office, is. When snow is light on the valley floor, the expertly groomed South Summit trails become quite popular. The Bear Mountain Nordic Trails at the Loup
are operating when the luge is not, on Wednesdays and Fridays except during holiday weeks.
NEW THIS YEAR
■ H IGHWAY 20 AREA GROOMING
For the past 15-plus years, volunteers have been grooming Nordic routes at the Washington Pass overlook and at Lone Fir and Klipchuck campgrounds on Highway 20, after it closes to vehicle traffic for the winter. This extends the season by allowing skiers to get out on trails earlier, when there is ample snow up high but not yet on the valley floor or in the Rendezvous or Sun Mountain areas.
This year, for the first time, Methow Trails is assuming responsibility for grooming trails along the Highway 20 corridor, taking the burden off the volunteers who have done it for so long. They’ll start by grooming at the Washington Pass overlook, then when the road closure moves farther east, they’ll groom at Lone Fir, followed by Klipchuck. Once there is enough skiing available in the regular trail system, grooming operations on Highway 20
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will cease, so that equipment and personnel resources can focus on regular operations. Overlook and Lone Fir grooming will be groomed with snowmobiles; a Pisten Bully may be used at Klipchuck.
Methow Trails will not charge a fee for skiing at areas along Highway 20, but donations for day use w ill help sustain operations and make it possible for Methow Trails to continue to offer Highway 20 grooming in subsequent years.
Skiers can find updates about Highway 20 grooming on the Methow Trails Grooming Report app and on their website.
■ DE VIN RANCH TRAIL
A new trail has been developed this year. Connecting to Mazama via John’s Way, the Devin Ranch Trail loops around a farm field and travels down valley to Liberty Woodlands, crossing over Boulder Creek along the way. The eventual goal is to connect the Devin Ranch Trail to the Methow Community Trail, but at least in the early season it will simply be another option for an out-and-back route in the Maza
SKI EVENTS
■ M ETHOW TRAILS EVENTS
Methow Trails typically hosts numerous events each winter, ranging from races as competitive as the Ski to the Sun Marathon & Relay to those as wild and wacky as the Doggy Dash, where costumed humans and canines battle it out in the six-legged race. Check Methow Trails’ events page for details at www.methowtrails.org/events.
■ M ETHOW VALLEY NORDIC EVENTS
Methow Valley Nordic presents several events, including the Ski Swap in November, the Methow Valley Ski Camp at Sun Mountain in December, and the wacky family-friendly Ski Rodeo in December. Visit Methow Valley Nordic’s events page for details: www.methowvalleynordic.org/events.
■ S KI FOR LIGHT
Originating in Norway in the 1950s and established in the United
mission is “to teach visually- and mobility-impaired adults the sport of classic cross-country skiing, to give participants who have already mastered the basics the chance to improve their skills and endurance, and to enable participants to just have fun on the snow.”
Local chapters, which are located in snowy areas throughout the country, host week-long SFL events each winter. The Methow Valley got introduced to SFL in 2015, when SFL volunteer guides Nancy McKinney-Milsteadt and Rich Milsteadt brought a group of visually- and mobility-impaired skiers to the valley and paired them up with sighted volunteers for a week of skiing on the Methow Trails system. Each pair skis in tandem, in specially-groomed double sets of tracks, laid down each year by Methow Trails for the SFL week. The guide describes the terrain and offers technique suggestions according to participant ability.
This winter’s Methow Valley Ski for Light event is Feb. 23-27, 2025. Volunteers are needed. Contact
DOGS
Can’t imagine skiing without your dog? Several of the trails are dog-friendly, including most — but not all! — of the Rendezvous system, as well as the Big Valley trails, and the Lollipop Loop, a short loop accessed from the Winthrop Fish Hatchery. Humans accompanying dogs are required to scoop and carry their pets’ poops — not just fling it off to the side of the trail. Like human trail users, canine trail users need annual or day passes to use the trails, except for Big Valley, which is free to all users, although donations help cover the cost of grooming and maintenance. See related story, page 25.
WHEN TO GO
From the moment the snow flies until the day it all melts. Methow Trails begins rolling trails with the first snowfall and can groom with heavy equipment as soon as there are 6 inches on the ground. Depending on conditions in the spring, they often groom through April 1. Nordic trails in the Loup Loup area are typically groomed on
Ste Hwy 20 Twisp, WA (509) 416-5463
Ste Hwy 20 Twisp, WA (509) 416-5463
casialodge.com
Thursdays and Fridays.
Some of the best skiing conditions can be found after President’s Day weekend, which is when many visitors stop traveling to the valley. Sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, fast conditions.
Methow Trails routes are open from dawn ’til dusk and no one will frown upon an occasional night ski as long as you stay out of the way of the groomers and stay off the freshly groomed skate platform.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
■ T ICKETS & PASSES
The mobile ticketing system is user-friendly. Purchasing a day pass or multi-day pass on your Smart Phone takes less than a minute and saves you a trip into a local retailer to buy a traditional pass. Display your phone to the trailhead ambassador, and you’re off in the tracks. w ww.methowtrails.org/passes.
10-day punch cards offer more flexibility than a 3-day pass (which must be used on consecutive days) and more affordability than a full annual pass. Punch cards must be redeemed from any ticket vendor
and are valid for two years.
Kids 17 and under as well as those over 75 years ski free every day.
The Try Winter Pass is an excellent way to experience winter from three angles: Nordic, alpine, and ice.
Purchase a regular season’s pass through Methow Trails, the Winthrop Rink, or Loup Loup Ski Bowl and you’ll receive a three-punch
transferable pass good for one day at each of those recreation areas.
Free trails. Methow Trails offers three locations where trail use is by donation: Big Valley, the loop right at the Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead near the ice rink, and at the Highway 20 areas (early season). Please bear in mind that trail pass sales, however, pay for trail grooming. Those Pisten
Bullys aren’t cheap and the trails don’t groom themselves. Passes are required at Loup Loup’s North Summit Bear Mountain Trails, but not at South Summit. www.skitheloup.org/ mountain/winter-fun/nordic-skiing/. Dog passes are required on all dog-friendly trails except for Big Valley.
Buck Mountain Bourbon Gunn Ranch Gin
Photo by Ashley Lodato
■
T RAIL MAPS & GROOMING REPORTS
Trail maps can be found by downloading the Methow Trails Grooming Report app on your smartphone (real-time grooming updates are included), picking up paper copies at the Methow Trails office or from select ticket sales locations, or by visiting their website at www. methowtrails.org/apps-and-maps.
■ ADAPTIVE SKIING
Adaptive Nordic skiing on a sit ski allows those with long-term physical disabilities as well as those recovering from knee or hip replacements to enjoy the magic of Nordic skiing. Courtesy of the Methow Valley Fund, Methow Trails has three adult sit skis and one child sit ski available for loan in Winthrop and Mazama. With advance notice, they can frequently provide trained volunteer support as well. Contact Methow Trails at (509) 996-3287.
■ T RANSPORTATION
The TranGO bus provides a shuttle service, with six buses each day Monday through Saturday. Park
your car, hop on the bus to one of the stops, and ski back to where you started. Trail pass required. www. okanogantransit.com/routes.
Enhancements
One of the best ways to experience the Rendezvous is slowly, f rom the comfort of your European-style backcountry hut (www. rendezvoushuts.com). Book a hut for a couple of nights, get your gear and food shuttled, and spend glorious days exploring the Rendezvous trails and leisurely evenings reading or playing board games in your cozy hut. Make your reservations early or look for cancellations.
“StorySki” panels illustrated by author/artist Erik Brooks blend literacy with activity and usher young skiers down the trail. Located at Chickadee, Spring Creek R anch, and Mazama trailheads. Warming huts at convenient locations along the trail system: Suspension Bridge, Rendezvous Pass, base of Powers Plunge. Scattered throughout the trail system are benches strategically placed for skiers to pause, reflect,
recover, and soak up the view. Some benches feature engraved quotations with winter themes, others are placed in memoriam of beloved Methow Valley community members. More than just places to rest, these benches can serve as sites to appreciate the meaningful people and places of the Methow Valley.
■ S KI RENTALS AND LESSONS
Learn to ski or improve your technique through private or group instruction. Purchase new
TRAIL USE
equipment or test drive cutting-edge gear. Find information at w ww.methownet.com/skischool; cascadesoutdoorstore.com/ski-rentals-sales-services; www.winthropmountainsports.com/rentals; www. methowcyclesport.com/rentals.
■ FAT BIKE TRAILS (see fat bike article on page 5).
■ SNO WSHOE TRAILS (see snowshoe information on page 24).
Pick up after your dog. Follow posted use guidelines. Respect private property. Stay on the trail. BE KIND Be courteous. Yield to others. Everyone deserves a great experience. STAY
Totally Louped in
The Methow’s alpine treasure offers downhill, tubing, luging and cross country skiing
BY RALPH SCHWARTZ
The Methow Valley is better known for its Nordic skiing, but locals and visitors alike also relish the downhill rush available at Loup Loup Ski Bowl on the pass east of Twisp.
The Loup, perched between the Methow and Okanogan valleys on Highway 20, is the area’s alpine alternative for skiers of all ages.
■ W HAT’S NEW
The ski destination has some big news for the 2024–25 season: New this year, children 12 and younger ski free, all season long, with the purchase of a parent or guardian’s lift ticket. The offer is available to both out-of-area families and locals, thanks to generous donations to the nonprofit Loup Loup Ski Education Foundation.
“We believe that the Loup is the only ski area in the Pacific Northwest offering a Kids Ski Free program to this entire 12 and under age group,” the ski area said when announcing the offer.
Also this year, the Loup is bringing back the Legacy Pass, a membership to the ski bowl that will remain valid for the lifetime of the bearer (or the Loup Foundation — which in any case is not going away anytime soon). The Legacy Pass is an investment at $6,000, but having the pass is a way to beat inflation in the years ahead.
Speaking of inflation busting, this year’s season passes cost the same as last year’s: $585 for an individual adult and $1,100 for a couple.
You can think of the rates this way: A couple with two young children can ski for the same price as a single adult at Crystal Mountain. Loup season pass holders also get
free or discounted days at 18 resorts in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, California, Vermont and British Columbia. This includes free skiing at Baldy Mountain, 49 North, Mission Ridge, Lookout Pass and Methow Trails (Nordic).
The Loup is not just a downhill
or snowboarding destination. It also offers Nordic skiing, tubing and luge sledding (reservations are required for the luge). Attend ski and board school with PSIA-certified instructors, and head to the f ully stocked rental shop for gear, tune-ups or repairs. To start or end
the day, or for a midday break, visit Wolf Den Day Lodge for food and beverages.
■ GO OD FORECAST
Skiing usually kicks off in late December. This past fall, with the season fast approaching, Loup Executive Director Jon Brown said
Photo courtesy of Claire LeDuc
there’s reason for optimism for snow lovers. Climate experts are predicting a La Niña strong enough to bring snow to the Pacific Northwest, but not too strong to mess up the jet stream pattern for Washington state.
“A weaker La Niña can benefit our area,” Brown said.
LOUP LOUP SKI BOWL: the basics
■ F IND IT
Between Twisp and Okanogan on Highway 20. Heading south down the Methow Valley past Twisp, turn left just past the Loup summit sign.
Nordic: 23 kilometers of groomed trails; multi-use trail connects to 50 kilometers of groomed trails at South Summit Sno-Park.
Terrain park and tubing hill.
Luge sledding program on Bear Mountain adjacent to the ski hill. Ski and snowboard lessons; Nordic lessons by advance request. Ski and board shop offering equipment rentals, tune-ups and repairs, accessories and gifts.
First aid room and ski patrol. Day lodge with food service. Season passes available online.
■ W HEN TO GO
Opening is anticipated in December 2024 when there is an adequate snow base, and closing is usually in late March. Both dates depend on conditions.
The Loup is usually open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and
Sundays.
Holidays: Open Dec. 23–27 except Christmas Day (snow permitting); Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 20; Feb. 17–21 during the week of Presidents Day.
Ticket Office, lodge and shop open at 8 a.m.
Half-day rates start at noon.
9 a.m. first chair, 3:45 p.m. last chair.
■ A ND MORE
General information: (509) 557-3401.
Conditions line: (509) 557-3405 . Visit www.skitheloup.com for all of the above and more.
■ AGE IS JUST A NUMBER
New this year! Kids 12 and under ski for free.
The Loup Loup Alpine Ski Team for kids ages 6-16 trains and races
at the Loup.
The Loup Loup Boomers Ski Club for anyone 55 or older meets Wednesdays and Fridays for camaraderie and fun.
65 or older? Take advantage of the discounted senior (65–69) or super
senior (70+) pass.
■ CO MPETITIVE
EVENTS
• Wolf Chase and Randonee competitions are regular events. Check the Loup’s website for updated information.
The Winthrop Rink’s outdoor experience is unmatched
BY RICK LEWIS
Winter in Winthrop is an outdoor experience — Nordic and downhill skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking in the scenic outdoors on the edge of the North Cascades. It’s cold, crisp and beautiful.
So, too, is it with ice skating in the Methow Valley. Why would we even think of an indoor rink here?
Which is why we have an outdoor, full-sized and multi-purpose rink, wedged in between the confluence of the Methow and Chewuch Rivers and Gardner Mountain.
The rivers are an earshot away, adding the sounds of gurgling
riffles to the stately beauty of the snow-clad 9,000-foot peak to the west.
This is the 25th year for the nonprofit organization that governs the Winthrop Rink, started originally as a group of people with a dream in 1999 with a roped off section of the parking lot at Mack Lloyd Park that was filled with water as the days few cold and skaters used the makeshift pond until the warm days of spring arrived.
The current rink, located on the west end of the Spring Creek pedestrian bridge since 2007, offers organized hockey leagues, adult drop-in open hockey, open public skating, as well as group and private individual lessons.
T he unique outdoor rink adds that little something that indoor
rinks around the Northwest don’t: The experience of being out in the elements like the cold of winter, occasional precipitation (mostly in the form of snow) in combination with the incredible surrounding environs.
For the casual observer not inclined to get out on the ice, the Winthrop Rink has a heated indoor viewing area on the second floor of the lodge, or you can stand outside, across the ice from the lodge. There are some snacky things available in the lodge concession, along with restrooms, locker rooms and a full rental shop with skates and helmets of all sizes and for all ages.
BUSY SCHEDULE
The schedule can be somewhat
complicated but can be found easily at the Winthrop Rink’s website, https://winthroprink.org. There is time each day for public skate, but it varies from day to day. Wednesday nights are reserved for the Methow Hockey League, an established adult (21 and over) hockey league where participants are all drafted onto teams before the season. Friday afternoon from 4-6 p.m., the rink is reserved for the local youth hockey league. Late afternoons and early evenings Monday through Thursday, the ice is reserved for youth hockey practices. As in the past, Learn to Skate lessons (for all ages) and Learn to Play Hockey (for adults) from some pretty experienced skaters are available in seven-week sessions. The first session, underway as soon
Photo courtesy of Winthrop Rink
as the rink opens in early November through December, is usually completely full before the end of October. Registration opens on Dec. 1 for the second session of lessons beginning in early January and running through February. Call the rink for full details and to reserve a spot. This year’s new event is The Great Outdoors Collegiate Classic. A rejuvenation, of sorts, of the pre-pandemic original Apple Puck, the Washington State University
and Western Washington University club teams will face off in a one-game classic on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 5:45 pm. The contest is a season counting Pac 8 Conference League ACHA Men’s Division 2 match. This will be a ticketed event with beer garden, food truck and event merchandise.
TOURNAMENT TIME
There are a number of weekend winter hockey tournaments that
GETTING INFORMATION
Check the rink’s website, winthroprink.org, for information about schedules, classes, tournaments and rentals. Or call (509) 996-4199.
draw in teams of all ages from all over the Pacific Northwest. When a tournament is in town, it can be hard to find a table at a restaurant at mealtime, harder to find a hotel room, and hard to find time for free skate; however the rink usually squeezes in some public skate time on tournament weekends between game sessions.
A short jaunt south from downtown Winthrop, the rink is located at the Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead, on White Avenue just west of the Highway 20 bridge over the Methow River. You can’t miss the large parking lot adjacent to Winthrop Physical Therapy and Fitness Center.
If one is inclined, the walk from downtown takes fewer than 10 minutes, south from the Rio Vista Hotel over the Spring Creek Bridge to the rink’s edge. There is ADA only parking available at rink level; the best bet is to use the upper lot
at the trailhead. Pay attention to signs and don’t park on roadways, pathways or at the hotel.
Be sure to check on the website for schedules and events. There is a full slate of programs, lessons, public skates, drop -in hockey (for varying levels of skill and experience) and weekend hockey tournaments that occupy the ice almost constantly. Rentals are available for young children to adults at reasonable prices.
T he Winthrop Rink is launching a new coupon “passport” called the Inside Edge. This passport is packed with promotions and discounts from local businesses around the valley. You can save on food, lodging, services and more. Buy yours at winthroprink.org/ inside-edge.
Skating in Winthrop is an aesthetic, athletic experience. Dress for cold and be ready for fun.
Photo by Steve Mitchell
Be fully equipped
Where to rent or buy equipment and clothing
BY SHELLEY SMITH JONES
To be toasty warm in Methow Valley’s wintry weather and comfortable in pursuit of your choice of winter sports activities, specialized equipment and clothing are a must. If you find you left something at home or realize you want to try a new sport, you can most likely buy or rent what you need at the many retail outlets up and down the valley. Here’s where to find the goods and services and
all the information needed to enjoy our winter wonderland.
WINTHROP
Cascades Outdoor Store — 222 Riverside Avenue, (509) 996-3480, www.cascadesoutdoorstore.com.
This is a full-service outdoor shop offering full- and half-day rentals of classic, skate, and touring Nordic skies, snowshoes, and HOK skies for adults and children. Ski equipment and snowshoes are also available for purchase. The shop offers hot waxes and carries a full array of clothing, footwear, gear, and accessories for your outdoor adventures. Methow Trail passes and maps are also available.
Chewack River Guest Ranch — 588 East Chewuch Road, (509) 9962497, www.chewackranch.com.
Don and Chris Lundgren offer half- and full-day snowmobile rentals at their ranch located 6 miles north of Winthrop. Ride from the ranch to over 300 miles of groomed and off-trail riding. Single and double sleds are available. Snowsuits, helmets, and a tank of gas are included in the rental packages. Two-hour, four-hour, and full-day guided snowmobile tours are also available. Reservations are recommended.
friend” needs to be warm and comfy, too. Julz Animal Houz offers a w ide selection of doggie jackets and boots for cold weather wear.
Methow Cycle and Sport — 29 Highway 20, (509) 996-3645, www. methowcyclesport.com.
Full-service cross-country ski and bike shop offering sales, rentals, service, apparel and gear. Rent classic and skate skis for adults and children, as well as HOKs, snowshoes, child ski trailers, and pulks. Fat bike rentals (helmets included) for adults and children. Hand protection (wind and cold) is available for an additional cost. Overnight ski wax service. Bike service. Ski and fat bike sales. Easy parking and online reservations.
Methow Trails does not rent or sell gear, but it does maintain the 120 miles (200-plus kilometers) of groomed cross country ski trails. Comprehensive information about the trail system — including which trails are dog friendly, which are open to snowshoeing and fat bikes, and which ones are free to use — is all available on the website. Passes are available online. Methow Trails app provides up-to-date information on daily trail conditions and g rooming information.
Snowmobile Winthrop — (509) 903-8841, www.snowmobilewinthrop.com, snowmobilewinthrop@ g mail.com.
Douglas Fitchett offers a safe and memorable snowmobile experience in the mountains. His menu of services includes single- and dual-seat rentals for 2 hours or half day. U.S. Forest Service Certified Guides are available for 2 hour or half-day guided rides. A guided Sweet Grass Butte Night Ride leaves at 6 p.m. for a spectacular nighttime experience. Backcountry ski/snowboard snowmobile rentals also available. Helmets, snowsuits, gloves, and boots are provided free of charge. Customers are encouraged to bring their own gloves, boots, and gear for the most comfortable fit. Rides leave from Boulder Creek Sno-Park.
Sun Mountain Lodge offers a full-service ski shop and expert
ski instruction. Rental equipment includes touring, skating, or racing equipment including short skis, mid-length skis, and traditional length skis. Snowshoes and pulks are also available. Warm weather clothing includes pants, vests, jackets, hats, and gloves. There is also a f ull line of ski wax and tools as well as accessory items.
The Outdoorsman — 170 Riverside Ave., (509) 996-2649.
T he Outdoorsman is a quality outfitter for hunters, fishers, campers, hikers, and bikers. The shop offers over 600 fly patterns, 100 knives (some by custom makers), a full line of Vortex optics, and gifts for the outdoor adventurer.
Full-service Nordic specialist store, offering daily Nordic ski rentals for all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers, with high-end gear for those who seek top performance. In addition to skis, they rent snowshoes and chariots for winter exploration. Their expert technicians handle ski repairs, maintenance, waxing, hot box treatments, and ski grinding, ensuring your gear is always ready for the trails. They also offer a complete range of Nordic ski clothing and feature the largest selection of Nordic ski gear in the Pacific Northwest.
Winthrop Rink — 208 White Ave., (509) 996-4199, www.winthroprink.org.
Winthrop Rink is a place to experience the joy of outdoor skating. The rink rents hockey sticks and skates in all sizes. Helmets
are provided free of charge. Skate sharpening is also available. Check the website for hours of daily open skate, drop-in hockey, and regular days and hours of operation. There are several hockey tournaments and special events to spectate or participate.
Full-service rental and retail shop located next to Ulrich’s Pharmacy. The shop offers
seasonal, full- or half-day alpine ski, cross-country, HOK, and snowboard packages. Helmets are included for adults and children. Snowshoe and ice skate rentals are also available. The store is well stocked with a full range of seasonal clothing. Custom boot fitting is a specialty. Ski waxing is available for both alpine and Nordic skis. A full-service performance tune up will make your skis or board look new again.
Methow Valley Senior Citizen Thrift Store — 201 State Route 20,
Known for its annual special sales, the Thrift Store brings out winter wear and accessories for an early sale on Labor Day weekend Saturday and a bigger sale in early October. Items include coats, snowpants, base layers, gloves, socks, hats, scarves, sweaters, boots, XC ski boots, and even doggie jackets. All used items at affordable prices, usually $10 or less.
The Mountain Recreation Shop at the Loup offers Three Rs: Rental, Retail, and Repair. Ski and board packages are available as well as ala carte rentals of individual items including skis, boards, boots, poles, helmets, and goggles. The retail shop is stocked with essential items and accessories that you may have forgotten, or you might want to shop for an upgrade. Repairs including waxing, tuning, base repair, and binding mounts are available in the back-shop. Private or group downhill ski and snowboard lessons with certified instructors are available for adults and children. Tubes are provided for the Wild Wolf Tubing Hill. A popular activity on weekends and holiday weeks is Bear Mountain luge sledding. Call (509) 557-3401 for a reservation for the 12-kilome ter groomed trail ride down Bear
Dress for winter success
Whether you are experienced in the snow or just venturing out, be aware of sensible and safe guidelines for what to wear.
• Treat the feet: Think insulated boots with a thick sole. You may be standing in line outside, waiting to get into a restaurant, to get a coffee, to get your turn on the ice; you may be socializing outdoors with others around fires or on sidewalks. This isn’t the winter to skimp on footwear. If your boots are on the light side, carry some air-activated heat packs that you can slip under your socks if your tootsies start to freeze.
• Hats on: You lose a significant amount of heat out of your head. Capture that heat with a fuzzy wool or fleece hat. Learn to knit your own, and you’ll have a new winter hobby as well as a warm noggin.
• Cozy core: Your vital organs are all located in your core, so
carries a curated selection of second-hand goods including warm winter wear and accessories. Affordable and sustainable.
MAZAMA
Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies — 44 Lost River Road, (509) 996-2515, www.goatsbeardmountainsupplies.com.
T his Mazama gem specializes in ski gear for folks who want to get off the trails and into the backcountry. If you are looking to ski tour “up Highway 20,” Goat’s Beard has skis, skins, poles, beacon, shovel, and probes for rent. he store also offers a complete
you’ll be warmer if you insulate this zone well with a puffy jacket with plenty of loft. If your puffer is too tight, you’ll lose the layer of warm air between your body and the jacket; if it’s too big, there will be more air space than your body can heat effectively. For those who run chilly, a three-fourths or full-length puffy jacket will be a game changer.
• Hot fingers: Our hands do a terrible job of keeping themselves warm, so thick handwear is essential. Mittens are warmer than gloves, due to the buddy system (fingers can warm themselves on each other), but gloves offer more dexterity. Air-activated heat packs can quickly rewarm frigid fingers or prevent them from getting cold in the first place.
• Mask up: You’ll be surprised at how much warmth you’ll get from the covering even a lightweight cotton mask provides.
line of seasonal clothing, and they now carry Nordic skis.
Methow Valley Ski School & Rentals — 42 Lost River Road, (509) 996-3744, www.mvskischool.com.
This store located at Mazama Junction rents a full range of skate and classic gear, snowshoes, HOK skis, and pulks. Certified instructors teach both classic and skate lessons to all abilities. Trail passes, trail advice, ski waxing, minor repairs, and all accessories are offered by the experienced staff. Hot wax punch cards are available. Watch for end of season XC rental gear sale.
HANDCRAFTED COFFEE FOR COFFEE LOVERS
WINTER TRAILS
Methow Valley, WA
WINTHROP
The para Nordic paradigm Options continue to grow in the valley
BY MARCY STAMPER
The Methow Valley’s flat, wide, and gently rolling Nordic trails offer something for everyone who wants to experience winter on skis.
Opportunities for para Nordic skiing, which encompasses sit skiers, standing skiers, and visually impaired skiers, have grown t remendously in the Methow in recent years. In addition to many suitable trails, there are free sit-skis available for loan, experienced ski buddies ready to join skiers on the trail, and a para category in the Ski to the Sun Marathon and Relay.
The Nordic trails are used by everyone from para skiers on vacation, to skiers using adaptive equipment to recover from an injury, to elite athletes training for the Paralympics.
Methow Valley Para Nordic can connect people with buddies for recommendations about trails, help with access, or to accompany them on an outing. With many options for wide, level trails, the Mazama trailhead is the best place for para skiers to start.
There are two types of sit-skis available for loan, in sizes for adults and children: chair-style skis and bucket-style skis. The skis are free, but reservations are required.
Chair-style sit-skis are best for recreational use or for skiers who need more support. They resemble a lawn chair mounted on skis and provide more back support, so they tend to suit people who have more trouble with balance and coordination. The skis have a metal frame a nd footrests in front so legs are extended. Chair-style skis are also the best option for able-bodied people who have a knee injury, broken leg, or other temporary condition. Chair-style sit-skis accommodate straps for towing by an able-bodied skier.
Bucket-style skis tend to be more
suitable for skiers who don’t need as much support, and are therefore good for more experienced skiers. Bucket-style skis allow the skier to be in a more dynamic position, where the skier can shift weight more effectively and apply power to the skis.
Methow Trails has two sitskis for loan in Mazama – one for adults and one for children. They’re available to anyone, including people with a temporary need because of an injury.
M ethow Valley Para Nordic has specialized equipment for people with a disability, including bucket-style skis in different sizes.
T here will be a para division for sit-skiers and standing skiers on an 11-kilometer adaptive course in
Ski to the Sun.
MORE INFO
• General info and ski buddies: Visit www.methowvalleynordic. org and follow the ParaNordic link. Or contact the valley’s para Nordic ski group at methowparanordic@ gmail.com for information, advice on suitable trails, ski buddies and equipment loans. Ski buddies will recommend trails and accompany a skier. Reservations are necessary for buddies.
Sit-skis: Methow Trails has two sit-skis available to disabled skiers and people with a temporary injury through Methow Valley Ski School & Rentals in Mazama at skimvssr@ gmail.com or (509) 996-3744.
Methow Valley Para Nordic also has
skis for disabled skiers – contact methowparanordic@gmail.com. All skis are free, but advance reservations are required.
T he chair-style skis were purchased by Methow Trails through a g rant from the Community Foundation of North Central Washington, and the bucket skis were donated by U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing.
Ski to the Sun Marathon and Relay: Feb. 8, 2025. Para Nordic division for sit-skiers and para standing skiers. Contact Methow Valley Para Nordic at methowparanordic@gmail.com.
Photo courtesy of Methow Valley Para Nordic
Four-legged forays
The Methow offers winter options for your dog
BY SHELLEY SMITH JONES
Our canine fur babies need fresh air and exercise in the winter, too. The Methow Valley offers numerous outdoor opportunities in the snow and cold for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Some dog breeds are well suited for cold weather such as the fluffy
white Samoyed, heavy duty Saint Bernard, agile German Shepherd, strong Bernese Mountain Dog, or the classic snow dog, the Alaskan Malamute. No amount of snowfall will deter these dogs from romping through the white, fluffy stuff. Smaller dogs, puppies, and those with short hair have a bigger challenge when the snow and cold settle in for the winter. In fact, some just disappear in their tracks after a heavy snowfall. Still, there are
activities for almost all dogs. Dogs are allowed on select Methow Trails to accompany owners while cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. To keep trails in good condition for both dogs and skiers, Methow Trails has a dog pass program. A $50 annual pass or $10 day pass requires dog owners to agree to “Conditions of Use” and doggie must always wear the pass while on ski trails that are designated as dog friendly (pawprint) on the trail map.
OPTIONS
About 40 kilometers of dog friendly trails in the system are groomed. No passes are needed for Lunachick in Mazama and Big Valley in Winthrop. Rex Derr Trail in Pearrygin State Park allows dogs on leash while snowshoeing or walking after the snow is hard packed. As is true any time of year, responsible dog owners must pick up dog waste to keep the trails in pristine condition. Dog-Friendly restaurants are a
Photo courtesy of Methow Trails
little more difficult to find in the winter. However, those with firepits and/or outdoor heat lamps can offer a bundled-up experience for dogs and owners. Some of the places include Mazama Store courtyard, Mazama Public House, Methow Valley Ciderhouse, East 20 Pizza, Twisp River Tap House, and Old Schoolhouse Brewery Tap Room in Twisp.
Dog walks are still possible in the winter, though more limited than the warmer seasons. Methow Trails offers Twin Trail off Horizon Flat Road for a nice short loop. Roads that are plowed but have less traffic are an option such as Wolf Creek Road (after the cattle guard) and Lester Road (off Bear Creek Road). A brisk walk around downtown Winthrop or Twisp provides some window-shopping opportunities while enjoying the holiday ambiance on into the new year.
MORE ACTIVITIES
Holiday outdoor festivities are always dog friendly — for leashed, well-behaved, and non-aggressive pets (and same goes for the pet’s human, except the leash!). These include Christmas at the End of the Road (Winthrop, Nov.30, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Mistletoe Madness (Twisp, Nov. 29, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), and Christmas at the Very End of the Road (Mazama, check back for date).
Crampons (ice cleats) are recommended for doggie’s owner for traction on firm snow and ice during cold, icy weather. Sweater, jackets, and booties are available in a variety of sizes and styles for the dog’s comfort.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
has unique ideas for winter dog activities. Skijoring is a popular Scandinavian sport that combines cross-country skiing with some of the same skills as dog mushing. One or two dogs that weigh over 35 pounds wear a harness and skijoring belt while the skier holds a towline and you’re off under dog power.
Another fun activity for big dogs in deep snow is a backyard scavenger hunt.
A KC explains, “Make little snow mounds or dig out shallow holes
in the snow to hide treats and toys. Then have your dog use their nose (and eyes) to find them.”
Several local businesses — Julz Animal Houz, Ace Hardware, Twisp Feed, and the Do It Center — carry dog toys, treats, and outerwear. There are two excellent dog grooming options in the valley to keep your companion looking great all year round. Appointments fill up fast, so give Joey at Methow Valley Veterinary Hospital in Winthrop or Kristin at Yo Dog in Twisp a call early.
Don’t forget the Methow Trails Doggie Dash with an earlier date this year. The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 28. Human-dog teams compete in short heats to win the coveted Golden Poodle award. Humans must ski. Dogs on leash (not retractable) must run. Both dog and human must be in costume while circling the Spring Creek Ranch loop. Best in Show Costume award is given in addition to the race winner trophy. Methow Trails requests pre-registration.
Step lively
Snowshoeing is an easy path to winter fun
BY RALPH SCHWARTZ
For thousands of years, people have snowshoed to navigate the winter landscape.
A snowshoe’s broad platform distributes weight, and its metal teeth g rip the snow — enabling both flotation and traction, so wearers can move across the snow rather than sinking in.
Learning to snowshoe is easy, making it a great way for the whole family to explore the winter world. For tips on safety and snowshoeing in general, take a look at Snowshoe Magazine’s beginners’ guide: w ww.snowshoemag.com/snowshoeing-for-beginners-the-firstt imers-guide.
GUIDED TOURS
Sun Mountain Lodge will offer private snowshoe tours from Dec. 15, 2024, through Feb. 23, 2025. Contact the Sun Mountain Ski Shop at (509) 996-4735 or Adventures@sunmountainlodge.com for i nformation and reservations.
GEAR
You can rent snowshoes at the places below. Most also sell trail passes and offer free maps of the Methow Trails system. The Outdoorsman in Winthrop sells snowshoes, as do several of the outlets below.
■ MA ZAMA
Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies
Methow Valley Ski School & Rentals
■ T WISP
Loup Loup Ski Rental Shop
■ W INTHROP
Cascades Outdoor Store
Methow Cycle & Sport
Sun Mountain Ski Shop
Winthrop Mountain Sports
TRAILS, MAPS, AND PASSES
• Methow Trails offers multiuse (bike, snowshoe, ski) trails in the Big Valley, Winthrop and Mazama areas; shared-use (ski and snowshoe only) trails in the Mazama and Rendezvous areas, and dedicated snowshoeing trails at Sun Mountain and around the Freestone Inn.
Passes are available at the Methow Trails office at 21 Horizon Flat Road in Winthrop or online at methowtrails.org/tickets-and-passes. Also see that website for additional in-person locations to purchase Methow Trails passes. The cost for a Methow Trails snowshoeing pass is $10 for a day or $50 for the season — or use your ski pass. Kids 17 and under snowshoe free. Seniors 75 and older can a lso use the trails at no cost — visit the Methow Trails office to receive a lifetime pass.
• Everyone can snowshoe free on the Big Valley Ranch trails and several trails near Winthrop. Check a trail map for locations where no pass is required. Methow Trails has maps at methowtrails.org/winter-maps, along with links to its app, where you can use the maps, buy digital passes, check trail conditions and more.
• The Lloyd Ranch Winter Trail System offers multi-use (bike, snowshoe, ski, walk) and shareduse (bike and snowshoe only) trails. Snowshoers are welcome to explore beyond the groomed trails. There is a map at www. sefiles.net/merchant/5361/images/site/LloydRanch19-20Map. jpg. A Discover Pass is required. Purchase online, at Pardners Mini Market or Winthrop Ace Hardware in Winthrop, the Valley Hardware Do-It Center in Twisp or The M ethow Store in Methow.
• The Pearrygin Lake Sno-Park offers multi-use (bike, snowshoe, ski, walk) and shared-use (bike and snowshoe only) trails. Snowshoers are welcome to explore b eyond the groomed trails. A SnoPark permit is required. Purchase online, at Pearrygin Lake State Park or from local vendors. See parks.wa.gov/147/Sno-Park-Permitvendors for a list.
• The South Summit Sno-Park offers shared-use (ski and snowshoe) trails. Visitors can snowshoe on any trail, but they are reminded to stay off groomed set tracks and follow trail etiquette by staying single file on the right side of the trail. Sno-Park permit required.
TranGO provides service from Twisp through Winthrop to Mazama Monday–Saturday; for more i nformation, visit https://okanogantransit.com/ and click “Routes a nd Schedules.”
Photo by Steve Mitchell
Reeling in winter
Break the ice for fishing fun in the valley’s lakes
BY RALPH SCHWARTZ
Fishing is big in the Methow Valley spring, summer and fall. But don’t overlook winter: The sport is a year-round activity in the valley and across Okanogan County.
Ice fishing is especially rewarding because it is relatively easy a nd inexpensive. No casting or rowing skills are required.
With the right equipment, you can pierce the ice in under a minute, gaining access to yellow perch, rainbow trout and kokanee.
Or drop a hook for the weird and wonderful burbot — but more on that later.
And as long as you’re hitting your size limit, all of them are keepers, too. This isn’t just sport fishing; it’s fishing for your dinner.
SAFETY FIRST
It’s your responsibility to ensure the ice is thick enough to support your weight. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) does not monitor ice thickness on the state’s lakes.
The agency does offer a rule of thumb, however: Ice must be at least 4 inches thick to support a person’s weight. If you’re bringing a snowmobile or ATV onto the ice, it should be 6 inches thick. Driving onto the lake with a car or light truck? Make that 8–12 inches.
WDFW offers these safety tips:
• Use an auger or chainsaw to make multiple holes and measure the ice as you work your way out to your fishing spot.
• Never fish alone.
• Spread out your party to avoid too much weight in one area.
• Ice cleats are inexpensive and can prevent falls onto slick ice.
• Bring a spare set of clothes and
a game plan on how you will rescue someone if the ice breaks and they fall in.
• Inexpensive ice picks can be driven into the ice to offer a stable hand-hold for someone to pull themselves out of the lake.
• Bring a floating rope to throw to someone who has fallen into the water.
Also, be sure to bundle up. Wear layers, a warm hat and gloves. Toe and hand warmers are highly recommended.
Drilling a hole, even with a hand-cranked auger, is surprisingly quick — a sharp auger will m ake a hole through a foot of ice in less than a minute. Most ice fishers make a hole that’s 6 to 8 inches in diameter, which is big enough to see what they’re doing and bring up fish easily without compromising the ice.
Many people bring a bucket to use as a seat and then to carry home what they catch. Ice fishing is fun for the whole family, since young children don’t need to learn how to cast.
While temperatures can be brisk, the valley’s bright, sunny winter makes it comfortable to be out long enough to catch a few fish. And you can bring a wheelbarrow or metal trough to build a fire — or a tent for shelter if it’s really cold.
Various options for bait will work. Try a jig with power bait, or a worm with salmon eggs and split shots. Short poles are recommended, and you don’t need anything fancy. A $5 children’s pole from the hardware store will do the job.
OFFBEAT OPTIONS
For a change of pace, venture out of the Methow Valley to Palmer Lake, about an hour-and-45minute drive from Twisp. There you can ice fish for big burbot, a serpent-like species of cod that can reach more than 2 feet in length. Burbot aren’t a favorite target for anglers, but their tastiness is underappreciated.
Not all of your winter fishing
WHAT YOU NEED
• a short pole (even a stick and some fishing line will work)
• an ice auger
• a scoop (to keep the hole free of snow and slush; it can also be used to measure ice depth)
• a bucket (to support the rod, to sit on, and to carry your catch)
• live bait, a shiny lure or artificial maggots
• a fishing license from WDFW — (360) 902-2464 or https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov
OPTIONAL, BUT NICE TO HAVE:
• a wheelbarrow or metal trough (for a fire)
• a tent or other shelter
• an electric sensor that beeps or lights up, or a device that sends up a flag (to let you know when you have a fish)
• an underwater camera or sonar (to help find fish)
SPECIAL EVENT
The 21st Annual Ice Fishing Tournament and Festival on Sidley Lake in Molson (northern Okanogan County) is Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. Excellent opportunities for good-sized trout and triploids. Prizes for adults and children, with proceeds benefiting local causes.
The Molson Grange will offer breakfast, 7–10 a.m. Sitzmark Ski Hill will serve lunch. The grange will host bingo in the afternoon. The event also includes a craft fair, and arts and crafts for kids. Call the Oroville Chamber of Commerce at (509) 557-5165 for more info.
needs to be over a slab of ice, either. The Chewuch River and the Methow River above Gold Creek are open for whitefish from Dec. 1 to the end of February. Whitefish generally aren’t prized for eating, but they’re often enjoyed either smoked or canned. Besides, they give fishing fanatics an excuse to get out on the water in the wintertime.
Whitefish anglers are required to use small hooks (3/16-inch or smaller) and release other species. The daily limit is 15.
■ B EST SPOTS IN THE METHOW VALLEY:
• Campbell Lake — rainbow trout
• Davis Lake — rainbow trout
• Patterson Lake — perch (no limit), rainbow trout, kokanee, bass
Other popular lakes in the
Methow, including the Twin Lakes and Pearrygin Lake, are closed to fishing in the winter.
• Leader Lake (just over the Loup Loup summit) — best for bass, black crappie and bluegill, also some perch, rainbow trout and brown bullhead
• Palmer Lake — diverse fish population, including yellow perch (6-10 inches), largemouth and smallmouth bass (1-3 pounds), black crappie, burbot and whitefish Limit on most species is five a day.
Our living landscape
Nature doesn’t take the winter off
ABY THE METHOW CONSERVANCY
s winter arrives, a blanket of snow cloaks the natural world in a shroud of mystery. Deciduous trees stand bare, their limbs stark against winter’s neutral palette. Some songbirds and mammals disappear from sight, claimed by migration and hibernation.
But despite the cold, despite the dark that drives us indoors, despite
the occasional feeling that winter is something to be faced and endured, its spare beauty draws us in, causing us to wonder about the elements of our fabulous, frosty Methow Valley ecosystem. Read on to learn more about the things a careful observer can witness in the quiet season.
FAREWELL TO FALL: THE PHYSIOLOGY OF AUTUMN FOLIAGE
Before we welcome winter, we must bid adieu to autumn. From a physiological standpoint, what makes the leaves change color? In the fall, our deciduous trees
and shrubs extract the chlorophyll (think “green”) from their leaves, breaking the chlorophyll down into smaller molecules along the way, and moving these smaller particles to other parts of the plant for storage. The remaining other pigments in the leaves, called carotenoids, start to show their colors (yellows and oranges).
Anthocyanins are responsible for the red-toned colors. These red plant pigments are the result of a chemical change and are made only in fall: specifically, sugars get trapped in the leaves and break down, producing anthocyanins in the process.
The transformation of the yellow, orange, and red leaves to brown? This occurs because as the leaf ages, the pigments responsible for these colors break down, leaving only the tannins (responsible for the brown color) remaining.
ADAPTATION: HOW ANIMALS SURVIVE COLD WINTERS
■ D EER: ALL LONG LEGS AND FUR COATS
In the fall, deer put on weight and establish fat reserves that they utilize for fuel in the winter. This fat layer also provides insulation against cold temperatures.
Photo by Peter Bauer
Like humans, deer like to wear winter coats when it’s cold outside. Unlike humans, deer can meet their own needs for warm outer layers. Deer develop a dense coat consisting of outer, hollow guard hairs that trap air, thereby providing an insulating layer like a double-pane window, and a thick undercoat. Their winter coat is also darker than their summer coat, allowing more absorption of heat from solar radiation.
Those long, skinny legs have important adaptations, too. Skinny appendages retain less heat than more compact appendages; deer compensate for this challenge by having densely packed blood vessels that touch each other and transfer heat. When warm blood in the deer’s arteries flows out from the body’s core, it runs right past peripheral veins that are returning colder blood. Those tightly packed blood vessels allow for an effective heat exchange that keeps a deer warm through freezing temperatures.
Another deer adaptation to winter is evident in their pads, which harden and function as an ice pick to break through ice and snow, allowing deer access to water and food below. So as you’re huddled by a warm fire this winter, know that, although winter is a hard time for deer, these animals are hardier than they look.
■ S NOWSHOE HARES: WINTERWEAR EXPERTS
Just like us, snowshoe hares change their wardrobe in preparation for winter. In response to shorter days, hares shed their summer f ur and, in about 10 weeks, grow new fur that doesn’t have any pigment in it. To us this looks like the hares change color from a reddish brown to an all-white coat. This transition helps the hares blend into their surroundings and evade the numerous predators like lynx that love to hunt them. When spring arrives, hares undergo the reverse process and grow a reddish-brown coat to once again camouflage into their changing environment.
■ W INTERING BIRDS: SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN THE COLD
It may seem counterintuitive, but winter is one of the best times of year to watch birds. Even though
there aren’t as many species in winter as you would find in spring, the ones that remain have some neat adaptations that allow them to flourish in our cold winter temperatures. Species such as black-capped chickadee, bohemian waxwings, and great horned owls can be seen or heard right from the ski trail!
Being one of our smallest winter residents, the black-capped chickadee must work extra hard to make it through the frigid months. They start preparing for winter in the fall when they create special food caches. One chickadee might store as many as 80,000 seeds throughout their various caches. Chickadees store so many seeds that the part of their brain responsible for spatial memory, the hippocampus, grows by 30% in the fall to help them remember where all their seed caches are.
While many songbirds fly down to Mexico or Central America to spend the winter, some species consider the Methow to be their ideal southern winter home. Bohemian waxwings are one such species. In the summer they can be found in the boreal forests of northern
Canada and Alaska, and in winter they travel south to places like the Methow Valley to feed on fruiting trees such as the western mountain ash. Interestingly, freezing temperatures initiate a fermentation process in the western mountain ash, and bohemian waxwings have been known to get a little tipsy after feasting on their berries.
One year-round resident that is not commonly seen but is often heard on winter nights is the great horned owl. In late fall and early winter, great horned owls are actively searching for a mate, so you will hear male owls calling to attract a female or defend their territory. If a male and female form a mating pair, you may also hear them perform a duet of alternating calls that helps cement their bond. You can recognize their calls by remembering the phrase, “Who’s awake? Me, too.”
■ PAINTED TURTLES: CONTROLLED BREATHING
If winter makes you just want to curl up and snuggle into your shell, you’re not alone; it’s you and the painted turtle doing what you have to do to survive. The painted turtle,
though, has to make additional adaptations.
Painted turtles are reptiles who, during most of the year, obtain most of their oxygen through breathing air through their lungs. So how do they obtain oxygen during the winter, when they are underwater for months at a time? As cold weather sets in and painted turtles move from riparian bank areas to deeper waters, they enter a state of brumation, remaining dormant (mostly). To meet their meager oxygen needs while in brumation, turtles uptake oxygen from the surrounding pond water by moving water across blood-vessel rich body surfaces.
If, over the course of the winter, the pond becomes anoxic (depleted of oxygen), painted turtles have another tool that they can use: they switch their metabolism to one that does not require oxygen. In this type of metabolism, acid has the potential to build up to toxic levels in the animal’s tissues. Painted turtles prevent toxic buildup by utilizing the calcium from their shells to neutralize the acid. Pretty remarkable creatures, aren’t they?
OTHER COOL WINTER THINGS
■
BA RK WATCHING
It’s not just the animals who have a story to tell in the winter — tree bark has many tales to reveal as well. Bark watching involves walking/ snowshoeing/skiing through a forest and examining the bark of different trees, to learn the stories within. Fire scars tell you when burns occurred. Bark damage from porcupines chewing, deer rubbing their antlers, bears scratching, and cougars clawing tell you what wildlife has been around. Cavities tell you what birds have used the tree for nesting. Holes in the bark tell you about insect damage. Sap flows tell you that the tree is undergoing stress from a pathogen or from a physical injury. Thickened bark indicates that the tree is an elder.
Spend an afternoon noticing tree bark; what story does each tree tell you?
■
SNO W FLEAS
They seem so incongruous with the snow, those tiny little black flecks hopping around in your
footsteps or ski tracks, but yet there they are: snow fleas. Technically, they’re not actually fleas — they are springtails — but their jumping movement is reminiscent of fleas.
Snow fleas “jump” using a taillike body part called a furcula. At rest, the furcula is held under the abdomen and when it is released, it propels the snow flea upwards and outwards.
Snow fleas can tolerate cold better than most insects, because they have an antifreeze protein that lowers the freezing temperature of their body, allowing them to survive in cold weather. When the snowpack starts to deteriorate in (typically) late winter, these insects move up the snowpack through breaks in the snow. They can be seen in dense concentrations on the top of the snow surface, especially around the base of trees.
Not to worry — these fleas don’t live on mammals the way actual fleas do!
The secret to finding the magic in winter is simple: get outside. Bundle up, move quietly, and open your senses to the natural world; it will reveal itself to you.
Star struck in the Methow
How to find heavenly bodies in our night skies
BY DAVID WARD
With a touch of snow on the high peaks above the valley, winter is just around the corner, when the brightest stars of the year fill the night sky. You do not even have to worry about mosquitoes. Dress warmly however, because stargazing is not exactly an aerobic activity. Standing around in deep snow can make your toes feel like ice cubes.
This winter, most of the planets will be on display. Our word planet comes from the Greek word meaning “wanderer.” The planets do not stay in the same place in relation to the stars. Everybody was confused by this until an astronomer named Johannes Kepler figured it all out. So if a planet is not exactly where I say it’s going to be, give me some slack.
The brightest planet of them all is Venus, and you can find her low in the west just after sunset but before it gets completely dark. She is named after the drop-dead gorgeous goddess of love and beauty and is known as the planet of love. Actually, the surface of Venus is a hellscape with the temperature sitting at 900 degrees F and very oppressive clouds of sulfuric acid heavy enough to flatten a car blocking your view of the stars. If you are planning a romantic getaway for two, just make sure the AC is working at your accommodations.
High in the south, Jupiter, the second-brightest planet, rules the winter night sky. It is the largest planet in our solar system and it makes a perfect target for a small telescope. Its four large moons look like stars as they change their positions around the planet from night to night.
Saturn will be lower in the south shining dimmer than Jupiter. If you turn your telescope on Saturn this winter, you might wonder what
happened to its rings. This winter those glorious rings are tilted almost edge on to us. Even though they are about 175,000 miles in diameter they are not very thick, as little as 100 feet in some places. So if do not see them, do not worry. They will be back later.
Mars will be out there too and will be best seen in mid-January when it is opposite the sun and visible all night long. You will know you are looking at a planet if it shines steady instead of twinkling. After all “Twinkle, twinkle little planet” does not rhyme with “How I wonder what you are.”
STARS TO SEEK OUT
As far as stars go, there are plenty of them to look at and bright ones
too. Let’s start with Orion. He will be in the southeast just after dark and higher in the south as winter progresses. In the middle of Orion are three bright stars evenly spaced and all in a row. We call it Orion’s Belt, and all three of these stars are tens of thousands of times brighter than our sun.
Line up the three stars and point down and to the left which will take you to Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. You might think that Venus and Jupiter are brighter, and you would be right. Except those two are planets and much smaller than any of the visible stars. So is Sirius bright because it is a really bright star, or because it is close to us?
We cannot tell by just looking at it. It all looks two-dimensional up there
to us. It turns out that Sirius is close by. Not our next-door neighbor, but just down the block you might say. When we look at the stars, we get to look back into the past. Light travels very fast, but the distances are vast beyond our comprehension. Sirius is 8.6 light years away. T hink about what you were doing eight and a half years ago, and that is when the light you are seeing left Sirius. The stars in Orion are much farther away. Their light has been traveling for hundreds and in some cases even thousands of years to reach us.
All the stars in Orion are interesting, but one that really stands out is up at the upper left corner. If you look closely you may notice it is slightly orange in color. Its name is Betelgeuse, and it is really quite famous. They even make movies about it. Astronomers tell us it will blow its top as a supernova explosion any day now. Do not hold your breath. It could be next week or 50,000 years from now.
There are plenty of other stars to look at, but if you want to go deep, grab a pair of binoculars and try for these “far out” heavenly bodies. Just below Orion’s Belt there are three dimmer stars dangling at an angle there, known as the Sword of Orion. One of them is slightly fuzzy which will be obvious in those binoculars. It is known as the Great Nebula in Orion, and it is 1,400plus light years away. That means you are looking back to a time long before Columbus plied his ships across the Atlantic Ocean.
The other object I would encourage you to look for is the Andromeda Galaxy. Use the constellation Cassiopeia and a star chart as a guide. It will appear as a dimly glowing fuzz ball, but congratulations. If you manage to spot it, it is probably the biggest thing you have ever seen and the farthest away too. Now you are looking back two and a half million years ago!
Good luck finding these wonders of the night sky, and I hope your feet do not freeze.
Photo by Steve Mitchell
Out and about
The Methow Valley offers a variety of attractions for all interests
BY ASHLEY LODATO
N
o matter what activity you booked your winter trip to the Methow Valley around — skiing, a wedding, a hockey tournament, snowmobiling — you’re going to be surprised by how many other things there are to do in this valley. Schedule your time wisely, and you might be able to pack it all in. If not, well, there’s always next time.
■ K NOW THIS PLACE
If you really want to experience the Methow Valley, build your visit
on a foundation of understanding the valley’s long, vibrant, and complicated history. The Methow Valley is the homeland of the mətx̌wu People, who have lived in and cared for the valley since time immemorial. You can learn more about the mətxw u at www.methowdescendants.org and by visiting the Methow Valley Interpretive Center in Twisp. www. methowvalleyinterpretivecenter. com. Additional information is at www.colvilletribes.com.
INDOOR FUN
■ S TEP IT UP
Line dancing is the Methow Valley’s big melting pot, according to the High Country Kickers’ leader Debbie Bair, who welcomes
everyone to the classes she teaches at the Twisp River Tap House every Wednesday evening. Beginners learn from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Advanced groups meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. www.twisprivertaphouse.com.
■ L ET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
The best deal in town is the Methow Valley Community Center’s gym and closet full of roller skates, all of which you can rent for $100 for three hours. Bring some tunes, some snacks, and a makeshift limbo pole and you’re set for a rocking and rolling good time. Rent the adjacent kitchen for an additional fee and add a meal to your skate party. methowcommunity.org/gym-rental.
■ H IT THE TOWN
Yes, the Methow Valley has a nightlife, and yes, you have the energy to take advantage of it. On weekends Old Schoolhouse Brewery and the Methow Valley Ciderhouse in Winthrop frequently host bands from around the region, as does Sun Mountain Lodge, in its glorious hilltop location overlooking a blanket of snow on the valley below. The Branding Iron in Twisp is another hot spot, where you can enter pool and dart tournaments, and on many Fridays you’ll find a lively karaoke session. The Twisp River Tap House and Old Schoolhouse Taproom in Twisp both feature live music and craft beer, specialty bourbon, spirits, and local art. The Mazama Public House curates a
Photo by Steve Mitchell
music
■ O PERA AND TACO TUESDAY
Because what other place offers this fabulously eclectic combination? Every Tuesday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Methow Valley Cider House, Maria prepares homemade tacos and Roberto Elisastegui, a Cuban professional opera singer, entertains diners. www. methowvalleyciderhousellc.com.
■ CO UTURE THRIFT
Twisp’s Thrifty Fox is more than just a secondhand clothing store; it’s a curated boutique for chic and funky pre-owned attire and accessories. The owner/buyer is in possession of a keen eye for fashion and a flair for unique and stylish duds. The imaginative and entertaining staff will help you find the perfect outfit for any occasion, and what fun you’ll have choosing. www. thriftyfoxtwisp.com.
Pre-owned clothing and housewares at pocket-change prices can also be found at the Methow Valley Senior Center Thrift Store. methowcommunity.org/methow-valley-senior-center-and-thrift-store/.
■ B UY LOCAL
Your one-stop shopping space for locally-made products, Methow Valley Goods features the work of more than 70 artists, producers, creators, growers, and makers. From housewares to beauty products, clothing to home furnishings, art to edibles, the Methow Valley Goods store at TwispWorks, as well as the storefronts where artists and artisans sell their art and wares, is the best way to support the local artisan economy and to give thoughtful, unique gifts to friends and family for the holidays. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. twispworks.org/ on-campus/twispworks-partners/ valley-goods/.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
■ I CE, ICE BABY
Our unique community-built, open-air ice rink nurtures both the family-friendly experience and a competitive atmosphere, depending on the time of day. Rink sessions include open skate, lessons, hockey practice, drop-in hockey games and tournaments.Visit www.winthroprink.org, or call (509)996-4199. See related story, page 17.
■ CH OP CHOP
For an exhilarating backcountry skiing adventure via helicopter, contact North Cascades Heli, www. heli-ski.com, to learn more. North Cascades Mountain Guides, www. ncmountainguides.com, also offers snowmobile-accessed skiing and snowboarding at Washington Pass.
■
O H WHAT FUN IT IS
Dashing through the snow at Sun Mountain Lodge you’ll get to snuggle in a blanket on a sleigh behind a f ull team of horses complete with jingle bells! Daily sleigh rides from the lodge are offered throughout the winter. www.sunmountainlodge.com/activities/winter-activities/sleigh-rides. Some years sleigh rides are offered at the Spring Creek Ranch Trailhead; check newspaper listings on holiday weekends.
■ U P IN THE AIR
On the first weekend of March, Winthrop hosts an annual hot air balloon festival, when balloons from around the Northwest fill the morning skies. The silent colorful bubbles juxtaposed against a blue sky is a sight that causes cars to stop along the roadside
and passengers to crane their heads skyward to take in the view. Check methowcommunity.org/calendar closer to the date of the Winthrop Balloon Festival for updates and details.
■ LOOK SKYWARD
Winter stargazing is breathtaking, and the Methow Valley’s dark skies are a magnificent backdrop for the real stars of the show: Orion, Auriga, Gemini, Taurus, and, of course, the Big and Little Dippers. Check out Dave Ward’s article about winter stargazing on page 32, and read his Naked Eye column in the Methow Valley News for current happenings in galaxies near and far, far away.
■ C HRISTMAS AT THE END OF THE ROAD
Winthrop offers “an old-fashioned cowboy Christmas” on Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. With the lighting of the town, activities for kids, discounts at local retailers, and a chance to visit with Santa, it’s a family-friendly way to kick off the holiday season. It also includes “the best small-town fireworks show in the Pacific Northwest.” www. winthropwashington.com/events.
■ M ISTLETOE MADNESS
Mistletoe Madness is Twisp’s annual holiday shopping extravaganza, this year on Nov. 29. The event takes place on the streets of Twisp, with bonfires, carolers, vendor booths, carriage rides, cookie decorating, live performances, and a v isit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as in the many retail shops and art studios located throughout the town. www.twispwa.com/events.
■ C ROSS THAT BRIDGE
Have a few spare minutes between activities? Walk to one of the Methow Valley’s three pedestrian bridges: the Tawlks-Foster Suspension Bridge, the Sa Teekh Wa Bridge, and the Spring Creek Bridge. To enhance the experience, learn the difference between a suspension bridge and a cable-stay bridge, then identify which type each of the bridges is.
■ WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
Two open space parks near Twisp and Winthrop offer nice winter walks: Mill Hill near Twisp and
201 Methow Valley Hwy N, Twisp
the Meadowlark Natural Area in Winthrop. methowconservancy.org/ discover/mill-hill-public-access-totrails-in-twisp and methowconservancy.org/discover/meadowlark.
FILL YOUR TANK
■ F RESH ROAST
We Pacific Northwesterners love our coffee, and the Methow Valley gives us numerous places to sip different roasts: Blue Star Coffee Roasters, Jupiter, The Big Dipper, Rocking Horse Bakery, the Mazama Store, Oliver’s Artisan Kitchen, Cinnamon Twisp Bakery, and the deli at Hank’s Harvest Foods. The Pony Espresso in Winthrop and Michael’s in Twisp both offer drive-up windows. Most cafes feature high quality hand roasted beans from one or the other of the Methow Valley’s specialty coffee companies: Blue Star Coffee Roasters in Twisp and Lariat Coffee Roasters in Winthrop.
■ E AT UP
Visit our dining guide on pages 40 & 41 for information about the valley’s eateries, offering dining from casual to fine. Most restaurants offer take-out; some have cozy outdoor seating around tables with built-in fires, so you can stay warm and watch the night sky while you dine.
■ H IGH
TEA
Live the posh life for an afternoon, cozy by a roaring fire, gazing at a magnificent mountain view. On Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. Casia Lodge puts on a traditional high tea, with tea, bites, and bubbly. www.casialodge.com/event-calendar.
■ P ERSONAL PAMPERING
Get a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure or other personal health/ beauty service. Try the Nectar Skin Bar and Boutique in Winthrop, the TwiSpa in Twisp, or head up to Sun Mountain Lodge for treatments in their hilltop spa. Feeling sassy? You can get permanent or temporary body art at two different places: twispwa. com/listing/heart-of-the-valley-tattoostudio and https://www.instagram. com/caitlincordell23.
■ GYM RAT
Looking for indoor exercise? Get a day pass at Winthrop Physical Therapy & Fitness and take advantage
of a wide range of modern workout equipment in a pleasant environment, or take one of their regular f itness classes, like yoga, Barre, circuit, and strength. All of the local yoga studios offer drop-in rates and a welcoming atmosphere. There’s no better way to get to know other community members than by working out with them.
■ C REATE
COMMUNITY
Want to feel like a local? Get involved, do something community-oriented: join a group or volunteer at an event. Weekly classes and discussion groups welcome drop-in visitors; check the community calendar in each week’s Methow Valley News. Plug in and meet this community’s movers and shakers by volunteering at an event: www. volunteermethow.org.
FEED YOUR SOUL
■ L EVERAGE THE LIBRARIES
Both the Winthrop and Twisp libraries the usual range of books, publications, and media, as well as cozy places to read, computers, classes and readings, free Wi-Fi and other events and activities. www. ncwlibraries.org/locations.
■ PL ACES OF WORSHIP
There are at least a dozen churches in the Methow Valley and most, if not all, of them welcome visitors. Whether you’re seeking solace or community, you may be able to find it in a local church.
■ BACK TO SCHOOL
Learn something. This valley is full of interesting people who love to share their knowledge, experiences, poetic talents, and images with others. A robust schedule of live and virtual presentations and classes are offered through many of the valley’s non-profit organizations. Visit www. methowconservancy.org/events, www.methowarts.org/community calendar, www.winthroplibraryfriends.org/events, methowcommunity.org/calendar, www.ncwlibraries. org/locations/winthrop-public-library/ and methowvalleynews.com/ calendar-of-events/.
■ W ORKSHOP IT
Hungry to learn something new? Whether you’re interested in
becoming a master at a skill or craft, or just wanting to bask in someone’s knowledge, you can do it in the Methow Valley. Learn to knit, write calligraphy, memorize a poem, create a sourdough starter, identify animal tracks, read a topographic map, cook, and dozens of other skills. Visit http://www.methowarts.org/category/classes/ for class offerings.
■ C RACK A BOOK
Browse for leisure-time reading material at Winthrop’s impressively stocked Trail’s End Bookstore on Riverside Avenue. Check out the children’s section at the back of the store, with big picture windows overlooking the river. Our two libraries, in Winthrop and Twisp, welcome visitors to browse the stacks in limited numbers, and both offer free Wi-Fi: www.ncrl.org/locations. Free books can be found at one of the valley’s free little libraries, located in the Mazama Store courtyard and outside the Twisp Post Office. Take a book or leave a book.
THE ARTFUL LIFE
■ M ETHOW RIVER POEMS
In 1992, just a year before his death, Northwest poet William Stafford was commissioned by the U.S. Forest Service to write a series of poems celebrating the Methow Valley. In 1994, those poems were published on roadside plaques and installed at scenic turnouts along the Methow River watershed, from Washington Pass to Pateros, most of which are accessible even in winter. The location of each poem can be found on the public art map at www.methowarts.org/williamstaffordmethowriverpoems2020.
■ CU RTAIN CALL
The Methow Valley’s arts-loving community is rife with plays, concerts, poetry slams and other literary readings, and informal jam sessions and open mic opportunities. The Merc Playhouse, Old Schoolhouse Brewery’s three locations, Methow Valley Ciderhouse, Twisp River Suites, BJ’s Branding Iron, The Barnyard Cinema, Methow Arts, the Methow Valley Community Center, Winthrop Barn, Sun Mountain Lodge, Freestone Inn and Inn at Mazama, Confluence Poets, and Trail’s End Bookstore
all present a variety of live performance events, ranging from local performers to groups from across the region, country, and globe. Check the “What’s Happening” page in the Methow Valley News for the most current information.
■ G ALLERY TIME
Find topnotch art at The Confluence: Art in Twisp and at the Winthrop Gallery and the Purple Sage Gallery on Riverside Avenue in downtown Winthrop. All feature works by Methow Valley artists, as well as lots of gift-giving possibilities. Some artists and craftspeople have open studio hours on the TwispWorks campus, where you can watch the artists at work. At Glassworks of Winthrop on the boardwalk you can see a glassblower in action. Some valley shops also display local art, notably Rocking Horse Bakery and Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop and Cinnamon Twisp Bakery in Twisp. Look for unique items at other boutiques and stores.
■ AR T OUTSIDE
Not a gallery person? Consider the vast outdoor art installations the Methow Valley has to offer, stretching from the upper reaches of the valley down into the confluence with the Columbia River at Pateros. Much of it is accessible in winter. Visit www.methowarts.org/ public-art-map for a map and brief description of the art and artists.
■ T HE SILVER SCREEN
At The Barnyard Cinema, an eclectic roster of films ranging from wide-release to independent to arty rotates through the theater’s deluxe viewing room, complete with oversize recliners and an unparalleled sound system. Local beer, wine, coffee, and a quintessential movie-house candy selection complete the package. www. thebarnyardcinema.com
■ H EADLINER
Keep up with local goings-on with a subscription to the Methow Valley News, delivered to you once a week with fresh stories and tons of useful information. Call (509) 997-7011, email frontdesk@methowvalleynews.com, visit our website, w ww.methowvalleynews.com, or find us on Facebook for daily news and updates. Also available at several retail sites around the valley.
Visitor Information
INFORMATION CENTERS
TWISP: 997-2926; 201 Methow Valley Highway (Methow Valley Community Center)
WINTHROP: 996-2125; 49 Highway 20
NEED A PLACE TO STAY?
METHOW RESERVATIONS: 996-2148 or (800) 422-3048; www. methowreservations.com; info@ methowreservations.com
OPEN LATE
HANK’S MINI MARKET: 410 E. Methow Valley Highway, Twisp; 997-4332; until 10 p.m. every day; 24-hour fueling
MAZAMA STORE: 50 Lost River Road, Mazama; 996-2855; 24-hour fueling
PARDNERS MINI MARKET: 900 Highway 20, Winthrop; 996-2005; until midnight every day; 24-hour fueling
TWISP CHEVRON: 126 N. Methow Valley Highway; 997-3181; until 10 p.m. weekdays and Sunday, 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 24hour fueling AIRPORTS
TWISP MUNICIPAL AIRPORT: 40 Wagner Road, Twisp; 997-2311
METHOW VALLEY STATE AIRPORT: Twisp-Winthrop Eastside Road; (360) 618-2477
NEED A TOW?
CLASSIC TOWING, TWISP: 997-2333 POST OFFICES
CARLTON: 997-6091; 2274 Highway 153
METHOW: (509) 923-2759; 34 Main St.
TWISP: 997-3777; 205 Glover St. WINTHROP: 996-2282; 1110 Highway 20 PET PROBLEMS?
Photo by Steve Mitchell
Brian Colin, Owner
Micki Thomas
Susie Gardner CB Thomas Jen Webster Rachelle Weymuller
METHOW VALLEY WELLNESS CENTER, WINTHROP: 996-3971; www.methowvalleywellnesscenter. com
NORTH GLOVER HEALING CENTER, TWISP: www.northgloverhealing.com
HIGHWAY INFORMATION
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: www.wsdot.wa.gov
INFORMATION & MEDIA
METHOW VALLEY NEWS: 9977011; 502 S. Glover St., Twisp; www. methowvalleynews.com; frontdesk@methowvalleynews.com
WWW METHOWNET COM
WWW METHOW COM
KTRT, 97 5 FM
KCSY, 106 3FM
KOZI, 93 5FM
KTWP (PUBLIC RADIO), 91 1FM
KOMW, 95 1
All 996 and 997 prefixes are in the 509 area code.
Featured Lodging
Base Camp 49 is Mazama’s luxury micro-resort with four twobedroom nightly rental homes, sleeping up to six guests each. Enjoy winter recreation at your door. All cabins feature a private covered patio, propane fire pits, courtyards and stunning views in all directions. Available also for groups, weddings and events.
Escape to Casia Lodge & Ranch, nestled on 300 private acres in the Methow Valley. A designated Small Luxury Hotel of the World, luxurious accommodations, casual fine dining and impeccable hospitality await. Enjoy our private movie theatre and saloon, relax in the hot tub and sauna or simply enjoy our warm surroundings by the fireplace. We look forward to welcoming you.
The Inn at Mazama is your adventure basecamp, located at the heart of downtown Mazama, steps from the trails, store and pub. Ski, hike or bike from your back door. Available for weddings, yoga retreats & group events. 18 relaxing rooms with kitchenettes. Pool, hot tub, tennis and pickleball, yoga studio, private offices, meeting rooms. Petfriendly units. Private cabins also an option.
Cabins of The Methow is the local nightly rental reservation service managed for over 35 years by The Inn At Mazama. Our portfolio includes over 50 cabins and homes available for vacation stays in the Methow Valley’s best locations, ranging from traditional rustic log cabins to modern architect-designed getaways. Let us help you book your next stay..
Private nightly rental cabins in the Upper Methow Valley. The Timberline Meadows 1-3 bedroom homes are nestled in the trees at the forest edge. Outside your doors, the winter-time cross country ski, snowshoe and fat bike trails conveniently connect to Mazama and the Upper Methow trail system. Reservations managed by The Inn At Mazama.
Experience down-home, river front luxury and unparalleled hospitality in Twisp, the heart of the Methow Valley. Centrally located for outdoor adventure, Twisp River Suites is the perfect winter getaway. Play outside all day, sink into luxurious comfort at night. We offer pet-friendly options and an all-inclusive gourmet breakfast.
7-11 Patterson Rd, Mazama
20556 State Route 20, Twisp basecamp49.com 996-2681
15 Country Rd., Mazama cabinsofthemethow.com 996-2681
15 Country Rd., Mazama timberlinemeadows.com 996-2681
twispriversuites.com 855-784-8328
140 West Twisp Ave., Twisp innmazama.com 996-2681
Phone numbers with 996 and 997 prefixes have a 509 area code. The expanded listings above are paid for by our advertisers to give you a better idea of what they offer. Establishments featured above are also listed in the complete dining guide to the right.
Wolf Creek Cabins & Lodging | 1 Wolf Ridge Lane, Winthrop | 996-2148 | wolfcreek-lodging.com
Wolf Ridge Resort | 22 Wolf Ridge Lane, Winthrop | 996-2828 | wolfridge-resort.com
Featured Eateries
Experience the flavors of the Methow Valley crafted by James Beard Award-winning Chef Jason Wilson. Open daily at 5pm with happy hour specials, indulge in locally sourced menus plus craft cocktails and local beer and wine with sweeping views and warm hospitality. Experience our traditional High Tea service on Saturdays from 2 - 5pm with house made sweet & savory bites accompanied by a wide assortment of specialty teas. Reservations highly recommended; walk-ins welcome.
LaFonda Lopez Restaurant is family-friendly and offers a variety of foods: Mexican, pasta dishes, curries, burgers, vegetarian and daily specials. We serve an array of margaritas and cocktails. Winter hours: Monday – Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Patio seating available in the summer..
Welcome to Three Fingered Jack’s, Washington state’s oldest legal saloon. Come in to watch a game or play a game of pool! We offer fun, family-friendly dining and a full bar 7 days a week, 11am-9pm with dinner specials 5pm-9pm and breakfast 7am-10:30am Fri-Sun only.
See you soon!
Riverside dining for all ages featuring delicious house-made specialties & desserts, 12 rotational craft beers & ciders, wine, artisan cocktails, 40+ Kentucky bourbons & ryes, games, live music, & private events & a dog-friendly patio. Menu options served until close.
The Winthrop Store is not just your local gas station! Stop by for a delicious made to order sandwich from our Deli. We offer espresso, gourmet chocolates, wine and cigars, craft beer and ciders. At the pumps we feature non-ethanol supreme. Be sure to check out our gifts and souvenirs!
casialodge.com
509 416-5463
20556 State Route 20, Twisp
facebook.com/lafondalopeztwisp 997-0247
102 Methow Valley Hwy, Twisp 3fingeredjacks.com 996-2411
Phone numbers with 996 and 997 prefixes have a 509 area code. The expanded listings above are paid for by our advertisers to give you a better idea of what they offer. Establishments featured above are also listed in the complete dining guide to the right.
