The secret is out! The Lake Chelan Valley, in the center of North Central Washington, has long been known for its winter recreation opportunities, but until now, few people have heard about it. Whether you like downhill skiing without the crowds, or cross country skiing through the beautifully valley scenery, we have something for skiers of every skill level.

Echo Valley Family Ski & Tube Area
Want an enjoyable day of skiing without the crowds? Lake Chelan's Echo Valley is the perfect fit for a family ski weekend in North Central Washington. Known for its tradition as a training ground for young skiers, the Echo Valley Winter Recreation area offers alpine skiers over 70 acres of skiable terrain.

What: Owned and operated by the Lake Chelan Ski Club, the ski hill offers three rope tows and a 1,400 foot Poma lift for the more advanced skier.¾ Echo Valley is the perfect place to take the kids for their first skiing experience. There is ski instruction available for all ages including kids down to three years old. The ski area has a day lodge with a roaring log-sized fireplace to warm the toes and a food concession.

Echo Valley's Family Ski Area also provide runs for snow tubing. If you've inner-tubed on snow before, you know just how much fun it is. Echo Valley's snow tubing area is great for all ages and family members. We supply the special tubes. Please do not bring your own.

When: Open on weekends and holidays (daily from December 16 through the Christmas holiday season) and remains open until the middle of February depending on snow conditions.

Where: Head north of Chelan on Manson Highway about 2 miles to Boyd Road. Turn left and follow Boyd Road approximately 7 miles to Cooper Gulch Road. Follow signs a short distance to the Ski area.

Cost: Daily Lift Ticket (includes tubing hill) $20 for age 6 years & up
Half Day Rate (begins at 1:00 p.m.) $15 for age 6 years & up
Tubing Hill - $8 ($5 after 1 PM)
Kids 5 and under ski & tube FREE!

Rental equipment is available at the hill from Lakeland Ski.

Contact: (509) 682-4002 or (800) 4-CHELAN

www.echovalley.org

Echo Ridge Nordic Area
Can't wait to hit the cross-country ski trails? Well, as of mid-November Echo Ridge is already skiable, proving that this premiere Nordic ski area is one of the earliest ski areas to open up to cross-country skiers.

What: This professionally designed ski area offers 40 kilometers (25 miles) of trails that follow the contours of the terrain creating interesting and exciting skiing for all ability levels. The Forest Service completed the construction of several miles of new trails this summer, including some connector trails to make additional loop opportunities within the existing trails. The new trails are generally for classic cross-country skiing and located north of the High Five Junction beyond the Little Critter Trail.

For the 2008-09 ski season the Lake Chelan Nordic Club purchased and erected a yurt at the Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area where it will be used as a warming hut for cross country skiers, snowshoers, and other winter sports enthusiasts. The yurt is located near the trailhead at the upper parking lot where it can be accessed from both the trails and the parking lot.

When: Opened early December, and will remain open until conditions no longer allow skiing. Ski 24/7!

Where: Head north of Chelan on Manson Highway about 2 miles to Boyd Road. Turn left and follow Boyd Road approximately 7 miles to Cooper Gulch Road. Continue past the Echo Valley Ski Area about 2 miles.

Cost: Echo Ridge is located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests and is operated by the Chelan Ranger District and the Lake Chelan Nordic Cub.  Day passes are $10 for each adult (18 and over) and are available at pay stations at each of the 4 Echo Ridge trailheads.  Youth (17 and under) are free.  Season Passes are available at the USFS Chelan Ranger Station and are $70 for each adult.  Note that Sno-Park, Northwest and Golden Age passes are not accepted at Echo Ridge.

For a PDF version of the Echo Ridge Ski Pass application form, email nealg@eigenvector.com

Contact: Lake Chelan Nordic Club 

For current Grooming Reports, click here
For a map of Echo Ridge, click here  

Mission Ridge Ski Area
Mission Ridge is a best bet for excellent powder skiing and for those staying in the Lake Chelan Valley, the Ridge is only about one hour driving time.

What: With a summit elevation of 6,770 feet and a base elevation of 4,570 feet, the Ridge offers skiers 2,200 feet of vertical, 36 runs and a snowboard park with four double chairs and two rope tows. Mission Ridge has gained a reputation for excellence in grooming, powder and sunshine. Check out B.2.4, the new terrain park located near the top of Chair #2 with approximately 3 ½ acres of features and fun!

Mission Ridge offers families ski and snowboard lessons and rentals. Other facilities include dining at Hampton Lodge and Midway as well as a full service rental and repair shop, retail items and one of a kind gift items, child care, season lockers and 4 nights of night skiing.

When: Schedule opening date, usually the first weekend in December.

Where: Mission Ridge is located 12 miles from Wenatchee. From Chelan, drive south on 97A through Wenatchee, and then follow the signs that will direct you to Squilchuck Road, and the Ridge.

Cost: Season Pass, Bomber Card offering discounts at all kinds of local locations, Stay and Play packages and Mountain Money, information available online or by calling (509) 663-6543.

Contact: This year, the Ridge has gone on-line to help reduce lines and allow people to reserve rental equipment or sign up for lessons. The Internet site is www.missionridge.com. Or for personal help, call (509) 663-6543.

X-C Ski Equipment Sales and Rentals available
Lake Chelan Sports, Inc
132 E. Woodin Ave
Chelan, Wa 98816
(509) 682-2629
Fax: (509) 682-8426
e-mail: info@LakeChelanSports.com
Cross-country skis and snowshoes rental available.
We carry clothing, footwear, sunglasses and accessories. Name brand merchandise includes The North Face, Woolrich, Patagonia, Columbia Sportswear. Quality footwear from Nike, Addidas, Merrell and Keen.
We carry the largest selection of sandals in Chelan, including Teva, Reef and Keen. Teva Sport Sandal - the World's first amphibious sports sandal.
We carry the best Sunglass Collection under the bright Chelan sun. Oakley, Smith, Maui Jim & Native.

U.S. Forest Service
Chelan Ranger District
428 W Woodin Ave
Chelan, WA 98816
(509) 682-2576

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