Cross-country Ski - Mazama Trails

9:00 am Winthrop Town Trailhead and Rink (use upper parking lot). Details on how to find the meeting place will be e-mailed to those who register several days before the trip. We will carpool from there to the Mazama Trailhead, ready to ski about 9:30 am.

Alternatively, if you are lodging in Mazama or close by you may meet us at the Mazama at 9:30 am.

PLEASE DON'T REGISTER UNTIL YOU HAVE REVIEWED THE NOTES BELOW, YOU ARE SURE YOU ARE AVAILABLE AND THE MEETING TIME AND LOCATION WORK FOR YOU. THIS TRIP REQUIRES FINDING OVERNIGHT LODGING IN THE METHOW VALLEY. IT IS NOT DOABLE IN WINTER AS A DAY TRIP FROM THE SEATTLE AREA. See later for lodging suggestions.

If you are hoping for a ride to the Methow Valley you will have a better chance if you set your profile to "Open" and provide carpool information such as the area you live in and locations you can reach by transit to meet a driver.

 BY REGISTERING THIS LEADER CONSIDERS YOU MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE TRIP. It's only good form to cancel in the event of an injury, illness or an emergency. Even if there are people on the wait list it's often difficult to move them up close to the trip date. THANK YOU!

Ski Details: This will be leisurely average 2 mph ski for about 8 miles roundtrip along some of the flatter green Mazama Trails. These should be well groomed with classic track and skate lane trails. This will be a good trip for fairly new classic skiers and skaters. Also, for those who have Nordic skied before but have been absent from the sport for one or two years. Participants should have some previous ski experience. If you have Alpine skied but not Nordic before and want to join, please check with the leader before registering.

Snow and trail conditions permitting, we will visit Jacks Hut on the Methow Community Trial for lunch and also ski the Flag Mtn. and Goat Wall Loops accessed from the Mazama Town Trailhead. Ski tips will be offered along the way. All the trails we take should be well groomed with classic track and skate lane trails.

A Methow trail pass is required for everyone 18 years and older. This is $25.00 for an adult day trail or $63 for a consecutive three-day pass available from sports outlets in Winthrop, Sun Mountain Lodge or Mazama. For details visit:

http://www.methowtrails.org/winter-trails/passes/

Anyone 17 years or under ski for free!

Guests (non-members of the Mountaineers) as well as members are invited to sign up in advance for this trip. For visitors either call the Mountaineers Member Services on 206-521-6001 or visit www.mountaineers.org click on "join" on the top right hand corner, then select GUEST ADULT FREE and follow the steps.  

This trip is part of the 2020 Mountaineers Winter Trails Month. For full details of all activities and rental, purchase, demo and lesson offers visit:  www.mountaineers.org/methow-winter-2020

 LODGING: The Methow Valley is roughly 250 miles and 4 - 5 hours from Seattle. Make a weekend of it and stay in Winthrop or elsewhere in the Methow Valley on the nights of Jan. 3 & 4. There will be lots to do! It is up to each participant to find their own lodging.

The North Cascades Mountain Hostel provides friendly budget lodging in the center of Winthrop with a 10% discount for Mountaineers members. Visit their website to reserve a bed: www.northcascadesmountainhostel.com

Other Lodging:

Use these websites to find other lodging options in inns, B&B, cabins & houses in and close to Winthrop:

https://www.methowreservations.com

or

www.winthropwashington.com

Some lodging providers require 2-day minimum stay at weekends:

 For the Sunday morning Jan. 5 I will offer a morning half day trip of a similar standard along the green Community Trial from the Winthrop Trailhead

Or you may wish to book a lesson to improve your classic skiing or perhaps try a new ski activity like skating with one of the two ski schools in the Methow Valley at a special Winter Trails Day weekend rate.

Contact the leader Chris Ensor with questions or for more information: ctrails@comcast.net