From snowy adventures to cozy indoor escapes, winter in the Wenatchee Valley is full of ways to make memories with your family.

Whether you're chasing powder, strolling through light displays, or looking for cabin-fever cures with little ones, this guide has you covered.

Snow Sports & Sledding

Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort
Wenatchee’s go-to ski mountain offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, lessons for kids and adults, and tubing on select days.
📍 Wenatchee | https://www.missionridge.com

Echo Valley Ski Area
A smaller, family-friendly spot for sledding, tubing, and beginner skiing. Affordable and less crowded!
📍 Chelan | https://skiechovalley.com/

Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park
Great for littles who want to sled
📍 Leavenworth | Bring your own snowshoes or rent locally

Leavenworth Winter Sports Club
Cross-country skiing, tubing, fat biking, and ski jumping!
📍 Leavenworth | https://skileavenworth.com/

Sledding Hills Locals Love

Lake Wenatchee State Park – Groomed sled hill and snow play area.

Squilchuck State Park — 300 feet of sledding!
Discover Pass or daily pass required.

Winter Lights & Festivities

Leavenworth Village of Lights
A must-see! Stroll the Bavarian streets under magical lights with music, food, sledding, and weekend festivities.
📍 Leavenworth | All season long | https://leavenworth.org

Downtown Wenatchee
Local shops are decked out and hosting festive events, kids’ crafts, and visits from Santa.
📍 Wenatchee Ave | Weekends in December

Nelson Family Lights Show
Free 20-minute light show set to music!
📍 Cashmere | Starts after Thanksgiving

Indoor Activities for Cold Days

Pybus Public Market
Live music, hot cocoa, winter market goods, and indoor warmth with a festive vibe.
📍 Wenatchee | https://www.pybuspublicmarket.org

Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center
Indoor play for kids, exhibits, and winter break programs.
📍 Wenatchee | https://www.wenatcheevalleymuseum.org

Drop-in Play and Open Gyms
Great places to let toddlers and young kids burn off energy when it’s freezing outside.

• Bonkerz

• Capital Elite

• SPORT Gymnastics

• Grace City Silo

• Apple Capital Gymnastics

• Wenatchee Church of the Nazarene Talk and Play (Mondays)

• Kids Club at Worx

• Public Skates

Wenatchee Wild Hockey Games
Catch a home game at the Town Toyota Center for an exciting family night out.
📍 Wenatchee | https://www.wenatcheewildhockey.com

Inspirations Ceramic + Art Cafe & Class with a Glass
Classes for kids and adults!
📍 Wenatchee | https://www.inspirationsceramic.com/events | https://www.classwithaglass.com/

Nature Escapes & Day Trips

Lake Wenatchee Snowshoe & Nordic Trails
Groomed trails, snowy views, and rental gear available on-site.
📍 Lake Wenatchee State Park

Stevens Pass Ski Resort
For ski days or snowy mountain getaways, just an hour from town.
📍 Hwy 2

Plain Valley Ski Trails
Quiet and scenic cross-country ski trails.
📍 Plain, WA | http://skiplain.com/

Badger Mountain Ski Area
Volunteer-run ski and cross-country area.
📍 Waterville | http://www.nwwintersportsman.com/BadgerMt/index2.htm

Cozy Experiences for Families

• Host a Winter Bonfire at a friend’s backyard or a campground like Lincoln Rock or Wenatchee Confluence with fire pits.

• Take a Cocoa Walk downtown—stop at Mela, Café Columbia, or J5 for something warm.

• Read-aloud afternoons at home with library books and fairy lights.

• Winter craft days using pinecones, oranges, and felt snowflakes.

• Holiday movie nights with popcorn and PJs.

Good to Know for Families

• Most ski areas offer child rates and gear rentals.

• Dress in layers, especially for little ones!

• Consider snow chains or AWD for trips to Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, or Stevens Pass.