While winter sports enthusiasts dream of hitting the ski slopes or snowboarding down fresh powder, for the rest of us finding the right winter activity can be more of a challenge. To help you make the most of this winter season, we’ve put together a list of some of the best low-key winter activities anyone can enjoy.
Tubing at Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass has long been a popular destination for die-hard winter sports enthusiasts, but luckily the Pass also offers family-friendly activities. Just off I-90 at exit 53 sits the Summit Tubing Park — a thrilling hub of tubing fun. The park has over 20 tubing lanes at peak season, averaging about 500 feet long with a 40-foot vertical. If your little ones find themselves getting worn out, they can ride back to the top of the hill on the surface lift. The park is open Friday-Sunday for the 2021 season, and admission for a 2-hour session is $35 for ages 7 and up; younger children are $12, and must be accompanied by an adult.
Sledding at Mt. Rainier National Park
Why not make a day of it, and head over to Mt. Rainier for a few hours of sledding? Just north of the upper parking lot at Paradise is Mt. Rainier’s only designated snow play area. This ungroomed area is monitored by park rangers, and visitors can bring their own sleds to hit the slope (though it should be noted that wooden toboggans and sleds with metal runners are not allowed). This option is cost-effective too, as it’s only $30 per vehicle to enter the park.
Sleigh Ride in Cle Elum
For those who’d rather take it easy, nothing compares to a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Over in Cle Elum, you can book a 30-minute ride with Three Peaks Outfitters. Pulled by a duo of horses, you’ll be able to sit back and take in the magical winter landscape east of the Cascades. Due to Covid, Three Peaks requests that visitors dress in layers and bring their own blankets to the excursion. For a complete experience, don’t forget to bring some hot chocolate. Tickets are $24 for adults and $18 for youth.
