Cross-country Ski - Methow Valley Winter Trails

We will be staying at the Winthrop Inn in Winthrop and meet in the parking lot or lobby at 8:30 am each morning. We'll choose our route depending upon snow conditions and trail grooming. 

My expectations are that participants can ski blue diamond trails with confidence and have good downhill control. Show up at the parking lot on time,  dressed and ready to go (except for wearing ski boots. You must have your skis, boots and poles at that time.

The Methow Valley Thriftway  grocery store opens at 7 am and closes at 9 pm.  They will have reduced hours on Christmas Eve and most restaurants will be closed as well - so stock up with what you need for snacks, lunch and beverages. 

Typically, the grocery store will sell trail tickets, which cost $30 per day or $78 for a three  day pass (for the best groomed trails in Washington -in my experience). 

My wife and I will be staying at the Winthrop Inn and reservations were still available at the time of posting. Cost is about $90 per night for a double room (on ReservationDesk.com - note other sites were much higher).

NOTE: the trip will be canceled if we have a lack of snow, rain or severe weather conditions. Winthrop Inn allows one to cancel their reservation before December 19th. I am opening registration early to allow people to make reservations.

Leader permission is required.  Further details will be provided when you are registered, so please do not deluge me with texts or emails. 

We will be using only classic skis, one goal is to ski together for safety, so skaters are not allowed. 

Depending on the group, we may go out for drinks and/or dinner on Saturday evening. 

My goals are to have a group of experienced skiers who can complete which ever trip we set out on. Mileage varies from a bunch on relatively short loops on the Chickadee trails where we can go back for lunch at the (relative) warming  hut. Bring a thermos of your favorite hot beverage.

Mileage in the upper Methow Valley varies and my plan is to ski  Jack's Trail which is 9.6 miles round trip.  

If we were to do the Rendezvous Trail on Sunday (instead of Jack's Trail), it would be 9.7 of flat and then moderate uphill to the Rendezvous Hut, where we can stop to make some tea or hot chocolate. Then it's mostly a gentle down hill back to the trail head.

On Christmas, morning we will ski the Town Trail, which is most flat out a ways and back, with incredible open valley views (if the weather permits).  

My style is to set a moderate pace, stop to layer up or down as needed and take snack and lunch breaks.