Methow Trails — Attraction in Washington

methow trails is the most extensive system of groomed skate track that i have found. It is possible that it is the best on the planet. I have lived along the trail, and used it for transportation around the valley. I can go to winthrop or mazama without using fossil fuel or a car. A note about skate skiing: if you are unfamiliar, this activity is somewhat magical. you use waxed skis to skate along something like a highway of packed snow. In the right conditions, it is easier than riding a bike, and about 30 times as much fun. You can skate up pretty steep hills, and through the most enchanting valleys imaginable. I can not stop skiing further and further each day. I do not want to stop! It is OK to be elderly, as the skating is very gentle until you get going really fast and fall down. So, if you can fall down enough times to learn how to skate well, that is the end of frequent falls, and the start of a brilliant new form of locomotion!

Drawbacks include the high cost of the special clothing and equipment, and the struggle to have the right stuff with you on a long tour. It is more like jogging than walking, so it is awkward to skate with a big heavy backpack. But, you need a lot of warm...

More than just the biggest Nordic ski trail system in North America, Methow Trails is a labor of love that connects the entire valley, in winter and year round. I'll always be grateful for the warmth and beauty of what the generations of passionate individuals have created here -- they've helped make the Methow become one of my favorite places on Earth.

Ski (or bike) the whole trail system if you can. If you're only visiting briefly, try sampling Bitterbrush, Meadowlark, Rodeo, Cedar, Little Cub, and almost anything around Mazama. Stay in Winthrop for the most central access, Sun Mountain for the resort experience and best ski school, or Mazama for the biggest concentration of...

the Methow Valley trail system has well over 100 miles of cross-country/Nordic ski trails and a smaller but still very adequate snowshoe trail network. the Nordic ski trails are extremely well maintained and groomed. There is no lack of trails for every level of Nordic skier, from beginner to expert. We will be back again in 2020 during the winter months and will very likely make it our regular destination every...