There are so many things to do in Leavenworth, WA in winter. This cute Bavarian-themed town nestled in the mountains about 2.5 hours east of Seattle is a popular warm weather destination for hiking and fall foliage. But since it’s at a higher elevation, it gets covered in snow come December through March. This means there are plenty of things to do for all ages come the winter season.
In fact, I go on a winter trip to Leavenworth every year with my family. The eight of us — Dan, my sister, brother-in-law, 2 nieces, dad, myself, and their English bulldog — love visiting Leavenworth for some cross-country and downhill skiing, so every year I discover new indoor and outdoor winter activities.
Rather than keep them to myself, I’m sharing a roundup of all the best things to do in Leavenworth, WA in winter. Get ready for a fun-filled winter trip to one of Washington’s most magical towns.
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14 Things to Do in Leavenworth, WA in Winter
Here are my favorite things to do in Leavenworth during winter! I’ll keep adding to this as I discover more, so pin this for later!
Looking for timely events on the dates you plan to be in Leavenworth? Check out the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce’s calendar for the most up-to-date event schedule.
Go cross-country skiing
Nordic skiing is one of my favorite winter activities and Leavenworth has some of the best cross-country skiing in Washington state. Since the area gets about 90-100 inches of a snow a year, there are a lot of nordic trails for all skill levels.
I share a bunch of areas you can go cross-country skiing in Leavenworth via the article linked above, but some of my favorites include:
- Lake Wenatchee State Park
- Icicle Creek Trail along the Wenatchee River
- Plain, Washington
If you need to rent gear, head to Der Sportsmann in downtown Leavenworth or Plain Hardware farther north.
Try snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is another great thing to do in winter in Leavenworth. Most cross-country skiing areas have snowshoe trails, which is a great option for mostly flat, family-friendly terrain.
However, snowshoeing is just winter hiking, so you can go on more traditional hikes with elevation. Here are some trails to consider:
- Clara and Marion Lakes – This is one of the most popular larch hikes, but you can hike this 3.2-mile trail in winter on snowshoes.
- Wenatchee Crest – This mostly flat 6-mile snowshoe is along a ridge so it offers epic views of the Leavenworth area.
- Eagle Creek – A 4-mile hike that offers pretty vistas and is in an often overlooked area of Leavenworth.
- Skyline Lake – A 3-mile hike that’s more of a heart pumper, but offers epic views on a clear day. It’s one of the most popular Leavenworth hikes in summer.
You can also check out Alltrails for more ideas or the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce’s events calendar to see if there are guided snowshoe walks when you’ll be in town.
Soak in hot springs
I haven’t had a chance to do this yet, but I’ve been lusting over a visit to the Scenic Hot Springs in Leavenworth. It’s on private property, so you need to make a reservation in advance. It’s clothing optional, so make sure you’re comfortable with that before booking.
Also note you need to hike to the springs, which requires snowshoes in winter. My friend Marisa has a whole post about how to get there and what to expect.
Take in the Christmas lights
One of the best things to do in Leavenworth, WA in winter is take in the Christmas light installations gracing downtown Leavenworth from Thanksgiving weekend through February. You’ll also often hear music playing, adding to the ambiance that will transport you to a German Christmas market.
Leavenworth’s Village of Lights Festival used to be only on weekends, but to reduce crowds they’ve kept it going 7 days a week. You’ll find live performances throughout the season, such as Mr. and Mrs. Claus visits during the holidays and circus/cabaret performers during February’s Love from Leavenworth Festival. Check out their calendar for a full list of events.
Shop and eat in downtown Leavenworth
While you’re downtown taking in the Christmas lights, pop into shops and restaurants of interest. You’ll find a ton of stores selling everything from clothing to foodie items to gifts. If you love Christmas no matter the season, don’t miss Kris Kringl or Nussknacker Haus.
As far as restaurants, I have a whole article on the best restaurants in Leavenworth. If you get peckish and need a snack while you shop, don’t miss the Gingerbread Factory for the best gingerbread cookies. You can also buy a gingerbread house to decorate at home or back at the hotel!
Go downhill skiing or snowboarding
Another one of my favorite things to do in Leavenworth, WA in winter is snowboarding. There are a few ski hills for all levels to choose from:
- Stevens Pass – This is the largest resort with runs for advanced skiers and plenty of programs for novices. They also have a nordic center if some people in your group prefer cross-country skiing.
- Mission Ridge – If you want to avoid some crowds, this smaller resort in Wenatchee is the perfect fit. It also has a few great snowshoeing trails leaving from its parking lot.
- Leavenworth Ski Hill – If you have kids or downhill newbies, this is a great option because of its shorter, less steep runs and tubing.
- Northwest Mountain School – This Leavenworth-based couple teaches backcountry skiing skills and provides tours around Leavenworth and Stevens.
Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride
I’ll never forget the one time I squealed, “Is that a sleigh?!” when we spotted one in Plain while cross-country skiing. While I definitely feel a bad for the horses, there’s no denying there is something magical about seeing a big red or green sleigh outfitted with garland being pulled around the snowy landscape.
There are a few different options for sleigh rides in Leavenworth:
- Leavenworth Sleigh Rides – They’re located 14 miles north of downtown Leavenworth and are the ones I always see when nordic skiing in Plain.
- Eagle Creek Ranch – This ranch popular for horseback riding lessons and tours from spring to fall offers sleigh rides in winter.
- Icicle Outfitters – This is another company popular for horseback day and overnight trips that also does sleigh rides during their off season.
Hit the hills for some sledding or tubing
No winter trip to Leavenworth, Washington is complete without flying down a hill on a sled or tube. You may think this is just an activity for kids, but trust me: feeling the wind flying in your hair as you try to hold on will have adults squealing too.
Here are your options for going sledding or tubing come winter in Leavenworth:
- Leavenworth Winter Sports Club – You can bring your own sled, rent one for ~$12, or pay ~$25 to go on into their tubing park.
- Lake Wenatchee Start Park – There’s a sledding hill near the south parking lot. You’ll know where to go by the children screaming in glee.
- Front Street Park – If you’d like a free option and it recently snowed, head right to downtown Leavenworth near the gazebo and Christmas lights for a small hill loved by kids.
Grab a beer
Like a true Bavarian town, Leavenworth loves its beer. So one of the best things to do in Leavenworth, WA in winter is to go on a beer crawl. You’ll find a few breweries and beer bars perfect for unwinding after a day of winter play. Some options include:
- Bushel & Bee Taproom – A hidden gem of a taphouse and bottle shop serving local brews.
- Stein – A European-style beer bar with 55 taps.
- Blewett Brewing – They have good pizza too.
- Rhein Haus – A Bavarian-themed restaurant with an outdoor biergarten.
- Leavenworth Cider House – A great option if your group has cider lovers.
Go wine tasting
People who love finding the best wineries in the Pacific Northwest will be happy to hear that there are about a dozen tasting rooms right in downtown Leavenworth. Many of them host live music, so check the chamber’s calendar for events when you’re in the area.
While I have a whole article coming out on the best wineries in Leavenworth, here are my favorites not to miss:
- Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards – One of my favorite Lake Chelan wineries.
- Obelisco Estates – Tasting room of one of the best Woodinville wineries.
- Patterson Cellars – Crowd-pleasing winery that makes great reds.
Visit a reindeer farm
Yes, you heard that right! There’s a reindeer farm just one mile from downtown Leavenworth. It’s open year round, with Christmasy activities like cocoa, cider, and Santa in November and December. However, visiting in January and February means less crowds with an equally impressive snowy landscape.
Visits last about an hour and include a tour. Reservations are required, so make sure to plan ahead!
Go snowmobiling
I’ve always been curious about these fun motor vehicles that zip along snowy terrain. If you’re curious too, here are options for snowmobile rentals and tours during your winter trip in Leavenworth:
- Leavenworth Snowmobile Rentals – You can rent snowmobiles and explore on your own.
- Leavenworth Snowmobile – This is the best option if you’d like a proper snowmobile tour vs. exploring trails on your own.
Relax at a spa
There’s no better way to relax after a day of winter activities than at a spa. The option with the best ambiance is The Post Hotel. It’s a European-style hotel and bathhouse that has indoor and outdoor pools perfect for relaxing between spa treatments. If you need a place to stay in Leavenworth, this is an awesome choice.
The other option is Sleeping Lady Resort. You can also stay here and schedule great massages, facials, scrubs, and more. While it doesn’t have the spa ambiance that the Post Hotel does, the treatments I’ve had here are excellent.
Visit a Nutcracker Museum
Those who go crazy over Seattle Christmas activities will love visiting the Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth any time of the year, but especially in winter. You’ll find more than 7,000 nutcrackers curated from all over the world. Some are even as old as the Roman times!
Areas to visit near Leavenworth
There are so many amazing wintry wonderlands east of the Cascade Mountains. After you finish exploring all the best things to do in Leavenworth, WA in winter, check out these other winter escapes!
- Why You Should Visit Lake Chelan in Winter
- Things to Do in Winthrop During Winter
- The Most Magical Winter Hot Air Balloon Festival
- What to Do in Wenatchee, WA
- Where to Eat in Lake Chelan
- Best Restaurants in the Methow Valley
- Best Winter Cabins in Washington
- Romantic Airbnbs in Washington
- Most Unique Hotels in Washington
