There’s no shortage of winter getaways in Washington state. I mean, it’s basically one giant winter playground, regardless of whether you’re into an idyllic wintry landscape or snow sports. Even the most popular summertime vacation destinations seamlessly transition into winter wonderlands, with the bonus of allowing you to beat the summer crowds.
The annual snowfall in Washington varies quite a bit, with lower elevations getting 50-75 inches while higher elevations get between 400-600 inches per year. This means that depending on what activities and scenery you’re looking for, there are plenty of winter vacation spots to choose from. So, if you want to find the best winter getaways in Washington state, this list is for you!
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Winter Getaways in Washington State
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Ready to plan a trip yourself? Here are my favorite Washington winter escapes, starting with destinations closest to Seattle and extending from there.
Snoqualmie area, WA
distance from Seattle: ~30 min (get directions) | has snow? yes | best for: skiing and snow-shoeing
Most people know Snoqualmie as being home to the Summit at Snoqualmie, which is the closest ski resort to Seattle. It’s popular for downhill and Nordic skiing and snow tubing, with its proximity to Seattle meaning you have to wade through the crowds.
However, there are a lot of activities that make this a great winter getaway besides skiing. There’s also the infamous Snoqualmie Falls, one of the best hiking spots near Seattle. There’s a short 0.7-mile hike to the base of the falls, but it gets pretty cold in the winter, so I usually take in the view from the comfort of the viewpoint just off the parking lot.
Nearby North Bend is a wildly popular spot for hiking, and many of the trails offer snowshoeing during the winter. My favorite is the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail, which encompasses over 27 miles of Instagram-worthy views.
If you want the ultimate winter resort experience, Suncadia Resort is one of my favorite resorts in the Pacific Northwest. It encompasses 6,000 acres of largely undeveloped land and offers snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and Nordic trails, restaurants, and an onsite winery. You technically don’t even have to be staying there to take advantage of these experiences, so you can also stay in the adorable nearby town, Roslyn, instead.
Available tours
Skagit Valley, WA
distance from Seattle: ~1 hr (get directions) | has snow? not usually | best for: birding & quaint towns
Most people know Skagit Valley for its annual Tulip Festival. While it’s certainly worth a visit in spring, there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path things to do in the Skagit Valley come winter.
For starters, the valley is home to the major wintering grounds for snow geese and bald eagles from November to March. It’s pretty easy to spot the geese, but the eagles can be trickier, so you’ll want to book a sightseeing excursion, ideally in January.
Aside from birding, the valley is known as a major agricultural hub in the state, meaning there are plenty of great restaurants in Skagit County. There are also a ton of great breweries like Farmstrong Brewing and Garden Path Fermentation using local malts.
Several small towns are dotted across the valley, like La Conner, an oceanside Victorian-era town with cute shops, Anacortes, a seaport town near Deception Pass State Park, and Burlington, home to the tulips and my beloved Skagit Fish Market.
Available tours
- Bald Eagle Nesting Area Tour
- Skagit Birding & Deception Pass Tour
- Private Intro to Rock Climbing for Two
- Anacortes Whale Watching Tour
Mt. Baker, WA
distance from Seattle: ~1 ½ hrs (get directions) | has snow? yes | best for: downhill skiing & lively college town
Mt. Baker is one of the better-kept secrets in Washington. Sure, everyone knows the Mt. Baker Ski Area has some of the best downhill skiing and snowboarding in the state, but few know it has the longest season, too. This makes it the perfect place to visit when you want to beat the crowds during the off months.
Another plus of visiting Mt. Baker is that you can retreat to nearby Bellingham when you’re off the slopes. Personally, I wish Bellingham was closer to Seattle because I’d go there every day if I could. It has a college-town energy and plethora of outdoor activities and craft breweries that remind me more of Olympia than a small town north of the Puget Sound.
Available tours
Mt. Rainier, WA
distance from Seattle: ~1 hr 40 mins (get directions) | has snow? yes | best for: skiing & snowshoeing
People flock to Mt. Rainier in the summertime for the wildflower blooms and hikes offering breathtaking views, but less than half the visitors come during winter. Personally, I think the scenery is just as captivating in the winter and, if you don’t mind the cold, the lack of tourists is highly appealing.
Only two entrances are open during winter: the southwestern Nisqually entrance and the northwestern Carbon River entrance. There’s sledding and ranger-led snowshoe tours in Paradise, which you can access via the Nisqually entrance. Check out this guide for a complete guide to the mountain’s winter activities.
If you’re in the mood for skiing, Mt. Rainier is close to several popular ski resorts and snowshoeing trails. The White Pass Nordic Center has some of the best cross-country skiing in Washington, while Crystal Mountain Resort has unbeatable downhill skiing and snowboarding trails.
Available tours
- Winter Day Tour to Longmire
- One Day Tour to Mt. Rainier from Seattle
- Mt. Rainier & Leavenworth 2-Day Tour
Olympic National Park, WA
distance from Seattle: ~2 hours 10 min (get directions) | has snow? in some areas | best for: mountain view & snowshoeing
The Olympic National Park is a must-visit destination in western Washington. It spans over a million acres of gorgeous coastlines and mountains. Heck, it even has the only rainforest in the northern hemisphere. It’s called the Hoh Rain Forest, and if you don’t mind getting rained on, winter is the best time to tread through the thick greenery because lines at the park entrance can be up to 2 hours in summer.
From Seattle, you can get to the park via a ferry from Bainbridge or make the drive around the Puget Sound. It’s about the same amount of time. I’m partial to driving because I always look forward to stopping at Hama Hama for some of the best oysters in Washington.
You don’t have to head all the way to Port Angeles to access the park, but if road conditions allow, I recommend it. It’s considered the gateway to the park and home to Hurricane Ridge, which offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing. If you’re hoping to avoid the snow, head to the coast to watch the massive tides crash against the shore. It’s one of my favorite Washington Coast attractions.
Pro tip
Check out my Washington coast cabins guide for ideas of where to stay!
Available tours
- Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle
- Hurricane Ridge Guided Snowshoe Tour
- Full Day Twilight & Forks Tour
Leavenworth, WA
distance from Seattle: ~2 ½ hrs (get directions) | has snow? yes | best for: snow sports & bustling downtown
Leavenworth is the epitome of winter getaways in Washington state because there are so many cozy things to do come the snowy season. It’s a Bavarian-themed village east of Seattle known for having an adorable downtown with countless shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms. It’s decorated to the nines with Christmas lights all winter long, and it’s not unusual to see kids and adults alike sledding down the town center at all hours of the day.
Just on the outskirts of downtown is Ski Hill, a popular spot for snow tubing and sledding. If you’re staying for a few days, I’d recommend heading to Plain or Wenatchee State Park for top-notch cross-country skiing and snowshoeing or Stevens Pass Ski Resort for downhill skiing and snowboarding. I go to Plain every year with my family and it’s one of my favorite winter getaways in Washington state!
Pro tip
Check out my cabins in Leavenworth guide for ideas of where to stay!
Available tours
- Stevens Pass Ski Resort Tour from Seattle
- Luxury Leavenworth Day Tour
- Leavenworth & Snoqualmie Falls Tour
Chelan, WA
distance from Seattle: ~3 ½ hrs (get directions) | has snow? yes | best for: wine tasting & Nordic skiing
A lot of people think of Chelan as a summertime destination, but I find there’s plenty to do in Chelan during the winter. The town is centered around Lake Chelan, one of the deepest lakes in the country. Its crystal blue waters and reflection of snow-capped mountains make it feel like a winter wonderland, and when you couple that with the 300+ days of sunshine per year and 40 wineries open for tasting, that’s just icing on the cake.
If you really want to get up close and personal with the mountains, check out the Echo Valley Ski Resort. It’s a family-friendly, volunteer-run ski resort with everything from downhill skiing to snowboarding and tubing. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to experience the Lake Chelan Winterfest, which runs for 2 weekends in January and features wine tasting, fireworks, and family-friendly activities. Or time your visit in February for the town’s annual Red, Wine, & Chocolate event.
Pro tip
Check out my guide on places to stay in Lake Chelan for accommodations!
White Salmon, WA
distance from Seattle: ~3 ½ hrs (get directions) | has snow? no, but it’s nearby | best for: Columbia River Gorge & accessible skiing
White Salmon is an adorable little town located in the Columbia Gorge just across the water from Hood River in Oregon. The town itself is small, but there are a lot of great local wine tasting rooms and breweries both downtown and nearby. You’ll also find boutiques and restaurants perfect for spending a few hours exploring.
The best part? Hood River is ideally located to two popular Oregon attractions: The Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood. The popular Columbia River Gorge is dotted with waterfalls, hikes, and viewpoints that are usually crawling with tourists in summer. Winter is your best bet for beating the crowds and getting incredible photo opps to yourself. Check out my perfect Gorge itinerary for details on all the best stops. And White Salmon is just an hour east of Portland, so you can easily tack on a Portland itinerary to your trip as well!
If you’re looking for more traditional winter activities, head to Mt. Hood less than an hour away for some of the best skiing in the Pacific Northwest. There are four main resorts, each with its pros and cons. I prefer Meadows for its downhill and Nordic skiing, but Timberline has a relaxing lodge vibes and is where The Shining was filmed.
Available tours
- Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour
- Columbia Gorge & Mt. Hood Full Day Tour
- Exclusive Mt. Hood and Columbia Gorge Air Tour
- Hood-Columbia Loop: Timberline, Orchards, & Waterfalls
San Juan Islands, WA
distance from Seattle: ~3 ½ hrs (get directions) | has snow? no | best for: hiking & dining
Not many people consider the San Juan Islands one of the winter getaways in Washington state, but I beg to differ. Not only is the ferry traffic and crowds virtually nonexistent, but the weather is fairly mild for the Pacific Northwest, with temperatures ranging from 35-45°F. In fact, most typical day trip activities in the San Juan Islands can be completed year-round.
I love visiting the islands because it’s easy to hop from one to another and get a feel for what makes each one special. There are three main islands you can visit: Orcas Island has tons of hiking trails, Lopez Island is foodie-friendly with tons of waterfront restaurants, and San Juan Island is known for having a ton of history.
Now, it does rain during the winter, but if you’re okay getting wet, most hiking trails are open. This includes Orcas Island’s Moran State Park, home to Mt. Constitution, the tallest mountain among the San Juans. There’s also mountain biking, which runs at Moran from October to May. If you don’t feel like getting wet, you’ll be happy to know you can drive up to the top.
Available tours
- Orcas Island Guaranteed Whale Watching Tour
- Tree Canopy Climbing on Lopez Island
- Sunset Canopy Climb on Lopez Island
Winthrop, WA
distance from Seattle: ~4 hrs 15 min (get directions) | has snow? yes | best for: cross-country skiing & snowshoeing
Located in central Washington’s Methow Valley, Winthrop is one of the best winter getaways in Washington state. I go every year for the massive collection of cross-country skiing trails, which are accessible via Methow Trails, along with fat biking and snow-shoeing. In fact, the Methow Valley has the longest continuous groomed Nordic ski trail system in North America!
If you’ve ever wanted to try luge sledding, 20 miles east of neighboring Twisp is the Loup Loup Ski Bowl, home to the first luge sledding area in the Western US.
Of course, there’s plenty more to do in Winthrop in the winter, regardless if you’re into winter sports. Downtown Winthrop has a quaint old western vibe with enough boutiques and restaurants to keep you occupied for a few hours. When you’re done shopping, there’s a surprising number of great restaurants in Winthrop and Twisp, ranging from upscale cocktail lounges to authentic Mexican. There’s also an ice skating rink perfect for families.
If you visit during March, make sure to check out the Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival!
Pro tip
Check out my cabins in Winthrop guide for ideas of where to stay!
Spokane, WA
distance from Seattle: ~4 ½ hours (get directions) | has snow? yes | best for: bustling downtown
I had a very memorable weekend in Spokane several years ago, and I’ve been itching to go back ever since. It’s an older town located about as eastern in Washington as you can go, just 40 minutes from Coeur d’Alene. Its historic downtown is thick with restaurants, bars, shops, and fancy hotels. There’s even a waterfall that runs through the Spokane River and spills right into the center of town.
If you’re looking for winter sports, you’ll be pleased to know Spokane is within a 2-hour drive from 5 major ski resorts. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is the closest and offers downhill skiing and snowboarding routes for every skill level. However, there are some truly awesome ski areas in Idaho.
After skiing, head to Spokanie’s Cork District, which has 23 wineries, wine cellars, and tasting rooms in downtown Spokane (check out the map here).
Last but not least, if you visit between the end of February and the beginning of March, you can participate in Inlander Restaurant Week. It’s a week where local restaurants all take part in offering a 3-course tasting menu for $25-45 apiece.
More winter ideas in the Pacific Northwest
After you book one of these winter getaways in Washington, check out my other guides for how to spend winter in the PNW!
