11 of Our Favorite Places to Sled, Ski & Snowboard in the Winter Near Pierce County
As winter approaches, we asked a few locals for their favorite spots to ski, sled, and snowboard near Pierce County. They gave us the inside scoop on their top places!
Here’s a look at 11 of our locals’ favorite places to sled, ski, snowboard, and spend the winter near Pierce County:
Located at US Hwy 2 Skykomish, WA 98288
Click here for a look at the hours and schedule for the 2017-18 season
If you’re a winter sports lover and a night owl, you will want to check out Erin Farquhar and Rachael Cabral’s pick: “Stevens Pass has the best night skiing,” Erin shares. “They typically have 6 runs open at night. [There aren’t as many crowds] and there is nothing like skiing under the stars on a clear night.” For a truly memorable ski experience, nothing beats an wintry evening at Stevens Pass!
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Located at 1280 Alpine R. Sun Peaks, BC V0E 5N0, Canada
Click here for a full look at the hours of operation at Sun Peaks
Another spot that comes recommended by Erin is Sun Peaks Resort. “If [you’re] looking for a ‘ski trip’ within driving distance, my family loves Sun Peaks, BC, Canada,” she says. “Even though Sun Peaks is the second largest ski resort in Canada, the village is quaint and inviting. Three mountains surround the small village. Lift tickets are reasonably priced. Many of the vacation rentals are ski-in/ski-out. The air is dry, so lots of powder!” For a breathtaking getaway the whole gang will love, start planning your trip to Sun Peaks for later this winter!
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Located at 7500 Mission Ridge Rd. Wenatchee, WA 98801
Hours: 9:00am-4:00pm Saturday-Sunday
Novice skiers and seasoned vets alike will love the slopes at Mission Ridge! “[Mission Ridge] to me has a real great neighborhood mountain sort of vibe,” shares Rachael. “It's never been overly crowded during the weekend trips I have taken out that way… It’s easy to stay somewhere in the general location and ride both mountains [at Mission Ridge and Stevens Pass]. The mountain isn't necessarily Black Diamond heaven but there are a few more experienced areas folks can ski to. I personally don’t feel as kamikaze as I might have once was.”
Rachael’s piece of advice for those looking to head out this way? “...I would suggest making this a couple-day-trip rather than an all-in-one-day trip.”
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Located at 13000 S.W. Century Dr. Bend, Oregon 97702
Another out-of-town locale that Rachael suggests is Mt. Bachelor. With lessons available for kids and adults, numerous on-site dining opportunities, a sports shop, and so much more, they have everything you need to have a great time on the slopes (and as an added bonus, if you buy an adult multi-day ticket four-days in advance, kids 12 and under ski free).
When planning your trip to Mt. Bachelor, think about lodging somewhere in nearby Sunriver. “Stay somewhere in Sunriver [and] do all the touristy things,” Rachael suggests. “Shop in town…” or grab a bite to each at the Village at Sunriver. “Sunriver is great,” says Rachael. “It seems like everything in the area is a VRBO.”
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Located throughout the Washington and Oregon areas
Also recommended by Rachael is McMenamins, a hub of activity with locations throughout the Washington and Oregon area. “Go to McMenamins in Bend and ride [Mt. Bachelor] during the day,” Rachael suggests. An array of local pubs, restaurants, hotels, and more promise that you will never have a dull moment off the slopes.
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Located at 1 Sun Valley Rd. Sun Valley, ID 83353
Whatever may pull you to the mountain this upcoming season, you are sure find it at the Sun Valley Resort. “...If you can swing a trip sometime in early spring, head over to Sun Valley, Idaho,” says Rachael. “It’s pricey but well worth it.” Indeed, with skiing for all skill levels, sleigh rides, movies, skating, and much more, they are guaranteed to give you your money’s worth of memories and fun.
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Located at 1 Sun Valley Rd. Sun Valley, ID 83353
Rachael notes that “you can sometimes score a stay at the condos across from Warm Springs lodge,” located right on the Sun Valley Resort property. With a traditional Idaho potato bar, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, and live music, this is the perfect spot to stop and warm up after a day on the mountain.
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Located at 1 Sun Valley Rd. Sun Valley, ID 83353
Also part of the Sun Valley Resort property is the Warm Springs slope, which is ideal for intermediate skiers looking to work up to a more advanced level. After exploring this slope’s more difficult runs, keep an eye out for “...the guy that skins up the Warm Springs slope every afternoon after the lifts have stopped running tailed by his dog(s),” Rachael says. “...He cruises up and then skis back down.”
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Located at 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd. Enumclaw, WA 98022
For a spot the locals cannot get enough of, check out Crystal Mountain: “[Crystal Mountain has] plenty of XX runs to challenge you,” says Michael McNiel. “[There’s a] nice gondola to get out of the weather (or if you're a non-skier) to ride to the Summit House. [Enjoy] amazing views of the cascades with Mt. Rainier in your face. Some nice intermediate runs too.”
Sheryll Tan seconds this pick, mainly for its “...[close] proximity and since we have gotten used to how things are done there: the crowd, private and group lessons, rentals, etc. Although some say that the terrain in Crystal Mountain may be more difficult than the others (for instance their green/easy runs may be considered blue/intermediate on other ski resorts), we still choose to go there more so because of familiarity with the crowd and the place and again, its proximity... They have the magic carpet where you can start off and shouldn’t scare you off your first ski experience. Once you graduate from that, you go up to Discovery which is a beginner’s run (green), then they have several blue runs, then the black diamond and lastly, the double black diamond (for experts only).”
She also recommends not missing out on “the restaurants/snack shops Crystal has to offer… take a break and chill out a bit before hitting the slopes again.” If you’re hoping to take a trip to Crystal Mountain this season, Sheryll can assure you that “it will definitely not disappoint.”
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Located at 4545 Blackcomb Way Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada
Another spot that comes recommended by Sheryll and Michael is Whistler Blackcomb. “Whistler Blackcomb in Whistler, BC… is paradise for skiers and snowboarders and certainly a great place to start learning how to ski/snowboard,” Sheryll shares. “Their green runs are wider, unlike other ski resorts where it can be narrower. It makes this my best recommendation for those who want to try out skiing/snowboarding for the first time.”
She continues, noting that “like Crystal, they offer private and group lessons from beginners to advanced levels. They also have complete ski and snowboard equipment rentals. And after a long, tiring day of skiing, head to their fun village where there are so many restaurants and shops to choose from.”
Michael agrees with Sheryll’s sentiment, adding that “road trips put Whistler Blackcomb at the top. Amazing village for dining, shopping and spa experiences. Two huge mountains cater to all ski levels. [It’s definitely a] bucket list item for both the skiers and non-skiers in your group.”