Where to Cross-Country Skiing Near Seattle
View looking down the Methow Valley from Jack's Loop near Mazama, WA
For those in the Seattle metro area looking to escape to the winter wilderness, cross-country skiing (XC skiing or nordic skiing) offers an excellent way to stay active while enjoying the Pacific Northwest’s mountains and snowy landscapes. From groomed trails to scenic mountain views, Seattle’s proximity to a variety of XC ski destinations may be surprising to some but there are trails for every level within 100 miles or so of the Seattle metropolitan area. Below is our guide to some of the most popular trailheads groomed for cross country skiing near Seattle. We will cover the following locations: Summit at Snoqualmie, Cabin Creek Sno-Park, Stevens Pass Nordic Center, Plain Valley Nordic Center, Easton Sno-Park, Crystal Springs Sno-Park, White Pass, and the Methow Valley.
Summit at Snoqualmie Nordic Center
Location & Access: Snoqualmie Pass, approximately 1 hour from Seattle (~52 miles); conveniently located right off I-90.
Pass Required: YES - Summit Nordic Pass or day tickets
Website for Conditions Information: Summit at Snoqualmie Nordic Center
Total Groomed Kilometers: 50km
Just an hour away, the Summit is one of the closest options for cross-country skiing. It offers a range of trails for beginners and intermediates, with classic and skate skiing options. However, it’s critical to note that access to the nordic center requires either a chairlift up (and a bit of a dicey decent to the cross country ski trailhead) or a long, slow ascent. This is also an extremely popular alpine resort due to it being so close to Seattle; expect limited parking, crowds of stumbling downhill skiers, snowboarders, and lost snowshoers.
Once you reach the trails, they feature wonderful views of the surrounding peaks and a great range of terrain. Trails are PistonBully groomed but nordic is not the resort’s primary concern so the trails typically receive one sloppy pass that leaves the trails looking nice but not firm or durable.
Amenities: This center includes amenities like restrooms, a rental shop, a food court, and ski lessons.
Cabin Creek Sno-Park
Location & Access: Snoqualmie Pass, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Seattle (~60 miles); Exit 63 off I-90
Pass Required: YES - Washington Sno-Park Permit and Groomed Trails Permit; both can be purchased from Washington State Parks’ Sno-Park Permit website
Website for Conditions Information: Kongsbergers Ski Club
Total Groomed Kilometers: 30km
One of two sno-parks that offer groomed trails and are within an hour and half from Seattle, Cabin Creek offers trails for everyone from beginners to experts. The main trail, aka “The Road”, is a forest service road that’s wide and flat, perfect for those just starting out. A regular grooming schedule provides excellent trails for both skate and classic skiing, although wind storms and heavy snow will wreak havoc on these densely forested trails often leading to intermittent shutdowns throughout the winter to clear debris.
If you’re up for a challenge, try skiing Amabilis mountain, a 10km climb that gains roughly 2,000 feet of elevation. As these trails are more accessible and feature rolling terrain Cabin Creek is also home to the closest racing opportunities for those living in the Seattle area. Check the Kongsberger website for the race schedule.
As with Snoqualmie, expect crowding and limited parking on weekends.
Amenities: There is no nordic center here. It’s just porta-potties, a parking lot, and a clubhouse for members of the Kongsberger club.
Stevens Pass Nordic Center
Location & Access: Stevens Pass, about 1 hour 45 minutes from Seattle (~78 miles); 5 miles east of Stevens Pass downhill on US Hwy 2
Pass Required: YES - Stevens Pass Nordic ticket
Website for Conditions Information: Stevens Pass Nordic Center
Total Groomed Kilometers: 28km
These trails are well-maintained and offer high-quality grooming for skate and classic skiing. The trail system also offers a variety, with some trails for beginners and others for experienced skiers. This is a small area that is definitely overshadowed by the alpine mountain so it can be quiet at times, although you’ll have to struggle through the traffic of Highway 2 to get here. Highway 2 is a two lane road that’s notorious for hours long back-ups and snowboarders driving their Volkswagen GTIs aggressively. Unfortunately the author of this guide cannot recommend Steven’s Pass for this reason. You may also discover that the alpine resort parking situation is so poorly managed that they often fill the nordic center parking lot with overflow vehicles from the alpine resort. So even if you make it through the traffic of Highway 2, you may not find a parking spot at the nordic center.
Amenities: There is a nordic center here with rentals, bathrooms, and a small grab and go restaurant.
Plain Valley Nordic Center
Location & Access: Plain, WA, near Leavenworth, about 2 hours from Seattle (~100 miles); 14 miles down the Chumstick Highway from Leavenworth
Pass Required: YES - Plain Valley pass or day ticket
Website for Conditions Information: Plain Valley Nordic
Total Groomed Kilometers: 25km
Plain Valley offers a medium-sized trail system with over 25 km of groomed trails, including scenic loops and backcountry access. It’s over Steven’s Pass from Seattle and located in a snow belt, so it generally has reliable snow throughout the winter. It might make for a long day-trip from Seattle but with its proximity to Leavenworth, one could certainly make the drive worth it: drive over in the morning, go skiing, then enjoy a bavarian feast of brats, beer, and pretzels before driving back to Seattle. The distance from Seattle and the mountain passes means you’ll likely find fewer crowds here.
Amenities: While there is a warming hut and rentals, facilities are limited.
Methow Valley
Location & Access: The Methow Valley, located about 4 hours northeast of Seattle, is accessible via US-2 or US-97 in winter, as Highway 20 is closed.
Pass Required: Methow Trails Day Pass or Season Pass.
Website for Conditions: Methow Trails
Total Groomed Kilometers: 200+ km, one of the largest XC trail systems in North America.
While not a day-trip from Seattle, if you have more time available you must make the drive out to the Methow Valley. The Methow (pronounced like you’re asking someone “you MET, HOW?!”) boasts an extensive network of groomed trails connecting five main trailheads Mazama, Sun Mountain, Gun Ranch, Rendezvous, and the Winthrop Town Trailhead. Skiers can experience varied scenery—from open valleys and riverfronts in Mazama, to alpine views and hillier terrain at Sun Mountain, to gentle, forested trails near Winthrop. The trails are immaculately groomed daily for classic and skate skiing, with excellent snow conditions due to the region’s elevation and climate. The valley offers pet-friendly trails, beginner options, and scenic variety make it suitable for all levels and a top destination for both weekend getaways and extended stays. One suggestion is to spend a morning skiing from Winthrop to Mazama or Mazama to Winthrop. It’s a 30km ski on the “Community Trail” that takes you straight down (or up) the valley.
Amenities: Rentals, warming huts, and ski-in backcountry huts are available. Nearby lodging, shops, and restaurants in Winthrop and Mazama provide additional options for visitors, adding to the Methow Valley’s appeal as a full-service ski destination.
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Each of these Nordic ski areas offers unique experiences, and each has its advantages. For quick access, Summit at Snoqualmie and Cabin Creek are excellent choices. If you’re looking for fewer crowds, more reliable snow, and more solitude, it might be smart to take a longer trip out to Plain or the Methow Valley.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on what you’re looking for: proximity to Seattle, extensive trails, or a quieter escape. With so many options, Seattle is a surprising hub of cross country skiing.
