Ready for Yakima Valley Winter Adventures?
We’ve been thinking SNOW and it worked! Wintertime in the Pacific Northwest is something special and with the recent weather it’s time for the winter adventures to commence! Here, around the Yakima Valley, we have majestic mountain views and alpine forest terrain ready for adventure just minutes away. Even better, we can count on enjoying them throughout the winter under sunny skies with far fewer drizzly days than elsewhere in the Northwest.
Winter recreation areas are open now and specialty excursions are taking reservations. It’s time to plan your winter adventures. This winter, try something new in our corner of the PNW winter wonderland.
Snowy Slopes, Tracks and Trails

Take the short drive from Yakima to White Pass Ski Resort for your perfect wintertime day – followed by a local craft brew or Yakima Valley wine and cozy dinner back in town. No matter your level, find ideal terrain, from rugged slopes for the expert skier to gentler tracks for those learning, all with stunning views. They have all your gear needs met, including rentals, not to mention plenty of fun stuff to shop for in the pro shop. Of course, ski and snowboard instruction is available for all levels. Full-day lift tickets should be purchased online.
You’ll find plenty of ways to fuel up during your day on the mountain, including outdoor seating and indoor dining. Choose from hot breakfast, wood-fired pizza, grill specialties, bistro and pub fare, snacks, wine, craft beer, coffee, hot chocolate and more. Mid-mountain dining spots make for a perfect mid-run break. Check out the High Camp Lodge and the Mid-Mountain Yurt.

If you haven’t explored adventures offered at the White Pass Nordic Center, let this be the year! The cozy yurt in a picturesque setting is your home base for alpine skiing, snowshoeing and fat bikes on the snowy tracks. If you need to rent equipment, they have you covered (even for fat bike excursions). They regularly post track conditions and tail maps on their site. The trail system was recently expanded, including an additional practice loop that makes the perfect progression trail after you master the original practice loop. In all, the Nordic Center maintains 26 miles of trails. Pets are allowed on the tracks, on leash, after 3:30 pm.
For a special evening, take a Twilight Snowshoe Tourstarting December 21. Explore the groomed trails and majestic views of the stunning Cascade Crest by moonlight (or headlamp on snowy nights) with Nordic Center guides. The tour encircles Leech Lake and traverses the Pacific Crest Trail. Select tours include a sip and stretch yoga . Tours include snowshoe rental and headlamps if needed. Even better, your snowy twilight tour is followed by light appetizers and beverages from the Nordic Cafe. The tour is recommended for adults. Youth ages 12 an up will be welcomed as long as they’re able to stay with the group. Reservations are required to guarantee your spot.
A short drive up highway 410 takes you to the Bumping Area where you’ll find miles more of cross country and snowshoe trails for unguided adventures.
Aspire and Achieve This Winter
Have you been wishing to reach your next level on the slopes? Maybe you want to build your skills for powder, crud, bumps, trees and steeps? Shannon Mahre of Girls with Grit has created specialty women’s experiences to inspire and help you achieve your next goals or simply to enjoy your time on the mountain more fully.
Group clinics for intermediate, advanced and expert skiers deliver a day of shredding and smiles. Enjoy a day mastering moguls, steeps, crud, powder, pillows and trees. This year, Shannon and her co-coaches are once again offering women’s progression clinics and a new 4-day camp. Her programs always fill up fast, so plan ahead and reserve your spot!
Shannon has a variety of Girls with Grit Collective events planned for this winter. Watch @GirlsWithGrit for dates and details!
Hill Climbing and Trail Blazing
All around Yakima, you’ll find hundreds of miles for winter riding on your snow machines. You can ride for hours under reliably sunny skies, making the most of abundant snowfalls and a variety of terrain from gentle to extreme. You’ll find more than 20 sno-parks in the greater Yakima/Greenwater area (Yakima County). MakeAhtanum State Forestyour first stop to hit the Ahtanum Sno-Park at Ahtanum Meadows, the largest sno-park in the region, with miles of groomed trails through pristine alpine meadows with stunning high-country views. From there, continue to explore throughout the terrain all around the Valley. A scenic drive in the other direction takes you up highway 410 where you’ll find even more trails to ride.
Perhaps most important, parking for your rig and machines is abundant and free at most Yakima Valley hotels!
As always, tag #yakimavalley to share your winter fun around the Valley.
Categorized in: Outdoor Recreation