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Fun Things to Do in Leavenworth, Washington in the Winter

There are so many things to do in Leavenworth, Washington year-round. If you’re looking for a great winter getaway, Leavenworth is a wonderful “snowcation” destination.

I’m sharing more about the fun things to do in Leavenworth during the winter with our sons during an extended weekend.

These Leavenworth winter activities would also be great for younger families, with friends, a girlfriend getaway, or a romantic couples’ escape.

downtown Leavenworth Washington

This article is in partnership with the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and contains affiliate links.

As parents, we know how important it is to create memories as a family through shared experiences and adventures. Our adventures from our visit to Leavenworth have been teenager-tested and approved.

We even saw non-forced smiles and laughs during so many moments of FUN! If you’re a parent of teenagers, you can probably relate to that small victory.

Many of these adventures aren’t limited to older families and can be enjoyed by families of all ages.

reindeer at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Tour the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

10395 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth, WA

Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is the only reindeer farm in the lower 48 offering year-round encounters with reindeer. We have a seasonal reindeer farm about 3 hours away from Cincinnati in Bowling Green, KY.

Reindeer tours are made by appointment. You can check the reindeer farm tour calendar online for availability. I recommend purchasing tickets for your desired date and timeslot in advance. 

If you visit during the summer months keep in mind there are no afternoon tours if temperatures rise over 85 degrees.

The family-run farm is a USDA-certified farm and a member of ROBA (Reindeer Owners & Breeders Association of America).

Guests typically stay about 1 hour at the farm. The tours start on time and it’s recommended that you arrive 10 minutes early.

If you are late for your tour, your tickets will be forfeited and you’ll be moved to a later tour time if available. So don’t be late!

feeding a reindeer at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Help Protect the Reindeer

To help protect the reindeer from a deadly airborne spore, you must avoid sheep and goats before you visit the farm.

When we arrived we were asked if we had been in contact with sheep or goats. We were then asked to walk across a special mat that helped protect the reindeer from anything that could have been carried in by our shoes.

reindeer education at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Learn Facts About Reindeer

Before you meet the reindeer, you’ll learn interesting facts about reindeer first. You’ll learn the difference between reindeer and caribou and get to hold different sizes of antlers and horns.

reindeer antler at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Fun Fact: Did you know Reindeer are the only mammals that see ultraviolet?

facts about reindeers

More fun facts: The life span of a reindeer is typically 10-15 years and they can smell between 2-3 feet of snow.

teenager feeding a reindeer at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

An Encounter With Reindeer

After the presentation, the best part, of course, was feeding the reindeer!

If you have infants or toddlers under 2 with you, you will be asked to hold them during the hands-on reindeer portion of the tour.  This is for the safety of your children and the animals.

Strollers are permitted everywhere EXCEPT in the reindeer enclosure.

reindeers at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

The reindeer farm is accessible to guests of all abilities if you’re traveling with a guest in a wheelchair.

During your reindeer encounter, it’s important to remember that people are not allowed to touch antlers.

You don’t want to “pet” the reindeer near their front but you can touch the reindeer toward the top of their hind end.

Adventure mom and family with reindeer at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Photo Areas at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

During your tour, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get photos with the reindeer during your encounter.

One of the staff members even took pictures with the guest’s phones so that families and groups could be together in the picture.

sleigh photo area

Several other areas around the reindeer farm are set up for photo ops.

pictures with Santa area  at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

If you visit around the holidays in November & December you may even get a photo with Santa in his sleigh.

feed the chickens at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Other Things to Do at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

After you visit with the reindeer, you can feed the turkeys and chickens.

feed the chickens at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Animal lovers will also enjoy visiting the horses and barn cats.

horse at Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Younger guests will want to play on the playground before or after their reindeer encounter. 

Snow Tubing at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

Go Snow Tubing at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

10701 Ski Hill Dr, Leavenworth, WA

The Leavenworth Skill Hill is a short drive (less than 2 miles) from downtown Leavenworth. We visited Leavenworth Ski Hill toward the end of their season and were fortunate to still be able to snow tube after a warm-up the previous week.

January and February are typically the snowiest months in Leavenworth, WA.

Snow Tubing at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

With a snow tubing ticket, you typically ride down the hill around 6 times.

Snow Tubing at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

My favorite part of the snow tubing experience in Leavenworth was that you didn’t have to leave the tube until your ride was over at the bottom of the hill.

That saves you from the awkward spill while trying to get out of the tube.

Snow Tubing at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

You just sit in your snow tube, the attendant attaches you to the tow rope, and you enjoy the fun ride down to the bottom.

Tickets can only be purchased at the ticket booth and can not be purchased online. If you have a snow tuber under 8 years old, they must be supervised by an adult.

ski hill at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

Nordic, Ski, and Snowboard Lessons

If you want to try out a winter activity for the first time, group and private lessons available onsite for Nordic, skiing, and snowboarding.

The ski areas use a tow rope to bring you back up the hill. 

Take it to the Extreme on the Ski Hill Jump

If you want a more extreme adventure, make an appointment with a coach for The Ski Hill Jump that’s the only ski jump on the West Coast of the U.S.! Thrillseekers work their way up to a 15 and 27-meter jump.

Snow skiing at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

“Play All Day” Ticket – Tubing and Skiing

If you want to try multiple activities during your visit to the Leavenworth Ski Hill, the “Play All Day” ticket is the best value.

“The Play All Day” ticket includes the following outdoor activities:

  • A full day of alpine skiing or snowboarding
  • A full day of Nordic skiing at all venues
  • Snowshoeing at all venues
  • Fat biking at designated locations (Ski Hill and Icicle River Trails)
  • Sledding at the Golf Course (Rentals are not provided at this price, you must bring your own sled)

*Rentals are not provided in the “Play All Day” ticket price. Ski, snowboard, cross-country skis, and snowshoe rentals must be purchased offsite with a local shop.

Leavenworth Ski Hill Lodge

Warm Up Inside the Leavenworth Ski Hill Lodge

If you want a break from the cold, you’ll find concessions and games inside the lodge.

inside Leavenworth Ski Hill Lodge

There is a nice fireplace and several picnic tables, perfect for groups with lots of windows to view skiers and tubers from above.

Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

Take a Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

Mountain Springs Lodge

9115 Chiwawa Loop Road, Leavenworth WA

(Appx. 30 minutes from Leavenworth- weather permitting)

Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours provides riders with both experience and no previous experience, the opportunity to explore the area on a guided snowmobile tour.

map for Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

The snowmobile trails have access to 300 miles of state-groomed trails with beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains.

Guided Leavenworth Snowmobile Tour Options 1-4 hours

  • Suzy’s Slip and Slide – Appx. 1 hour – Great for first-timers and families
  • Grandpa’s Rockers- Appx. 2 hrs- Great tour for intermediate riders and families with older kids
  • Sno Cone- Appx. Appx. 3 hrs – Great for intermediate and advanced riders
  • Mile High Extravaganza -Appx 4 hrs. – Great for intermediate to advanced riders.

How Old Do You Need to Be to Ride or Drive a Snowmobile?

  • Snowmobile drivers need to be at least 16 years old.
  • Drivers with a passenger need to be at least 18 years old.
  • Child passengers must be at least 5 years old to ride along.
snowmobile suits for Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

What should you wear for your snowmobile tour?

All gear is provided if you need it. They provide full-body snowsuits, boots, gloves, and a helmet included with your tour at no extra charge.

They recommend bringing a neck warmer and sunglasses depending on the weather on the day of your tour.

If you want to bring your equipment to capture footage during your ride, many of their helmets can attach a GoPro.

teenagers on Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

My boys opted to wear the colorful snowmobile suits and my husband and I chose to wear our snow gear.

It really comes down to personal preference and if you are comfortable in your own gear.  They have loaner gear to fit all shapes and styles but their colorful vintage-style loaner snowsuits are definitely Instagram-worthy!

It’s also not a bad idea to bring your own snow gear if you have younger children. Just in case you don’t find a loaner snowsuit that fits.

couple on Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

Should You Ride a Snowmobile Single or Double?

That answer depends on your comfort and/or skill level.

If the idea of trying to drive a 900 lb. machine stresses you out or if you want to just relax and enjoy the ride, riding as a passenger double is the way to go.

On the flip side, driving single can help you feel more in control or challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. 

couple on Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

Kids under 16 cannot drive a snowmobile and must ride with an adult.

My younger son was not 16 at the time of our visit and our guide offered to have him ride with her instead of me.

That was a big relief because there were many times during the ride when we would need to distribute our weight to the correct side.

Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

What Can You Expect During Your Tour With Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours?

Our guide, Erin, first started by ensuring everyone’s gear fit properly including our helmets.

Next, came the safety instructions where she demonstrated what buttons and gears we would use during our snowmobile ride. The two most important controls are the throttle and the kill switch to cut power to the engine.

We also learned how to adjust our hand warmer temperatures on the handlebar. I learned very quickly that they can get really HOT!

My hands felt like lava at one point during the tour because the hand warmers were accidentally turned up too high.

family on Guided Tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

Before our tour started, our guide taught us different hand signals she would use during our tour. She also showed us how to lean into the curves using our body weight.

group on Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours in Washington

She stressed the importance of staying as close together as possible during the tour, which was counterintuitive initially.

You stay close together on a snowmobile tour so the guide can see all of the riders in case they have any issues. 

It’s also important that the riders can see the signals when there are sharp turns or areas you may want to slow down and pull over.

family on guided tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours

Grandpa’s Rocker Tour

My family went on the “Grandpa’s Rocker” 2-hour tour where we traveled up the side of Entiat Ridge and experienced scenic views of the Cascades.

Our snowmobile tour traveled around 20 miles with a peak elevation of 2700 ft.

It was hard to see Lake Wenatchee when we stopped for photos because it was overcast during our tour. The experience was still beautiful and unforgettable!

Adventure mom and family on tour with Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours in Washington

During Your Snowmobile Tour, You Can Stop to Admire the Views

I loved that we could stop and take pictures during our snowmobile tour at two scenic spots.

It was also a nice relief for my hands which were a little numb because I pretty much had a death grip on my snowmobile the whole time while driving.

Erin our Leavenworth snowmobile guide

If you have an incredible time snowmobiling, which of course you will, don’t forget to tip your guide!

Our guide Erin was extremely patient and encouraging as I faced my fears during the more challenging parts of the trail.

I’ve jumped off the Stratosphere in Las Vegas but ironically found snowmobiling to be more outside of my comfort zone.

She made me feel a lot better about my snowmobile wimpiness and it felt great to overcome a challenge that intimidated me. I realize the irony of the name “Adventure Mom” but many of my adventures force me to face my fears and try things looking stupid or scared.

For families that prefer to move at a slower pace or have younger kids, Leavenworth Sleigh Rides located onsite is another great option.

ski lift Steven Pass Ski Resort

Ski or Snowboard at Stevens Pass

US-2, Skykomish, WA

A 40-minute scenic drive from downtown Leavenworth, Stevens Pass is a wonderful ski resort to visit during your stay.

ski and snowboard rentals at Steven Pass ski resort

Ski, Snowboard, and Locker Rentals at Stevens Pass

If you don’t have your own gear, you’ll find that the ski and snowboard rental process at Stevens Pass is very efficient.

Equipment rentals are moved through a process of stations that starts with making sure your boots fit properly by the staff.

Locker Rentals at Sevens Pass

I recommend renting a locker for any extra items you may want access to in between skiing.

I always like to pack more “just in case” and a locker provides the freedom to have extra layers and water bottles close by.

Stevens Pass Ski Resort in Washington

More About the Mountain at Stevens Pass

Stevens Pass averages 460″ of snowfall annually with 105″ of annual average snowpack.  There are 1,125 acres of skiable terrain with 52 major runs, numerous bowls, glades, and faces.

Snowfall & Terrain at Stevens Pass

  • Base area elevation 4,061′
  • Top elevation Cowboy Mountain 5,845′
  • Top elevation Big Chief Mountain 5,600′
  • Mill Valley base elevation 3,821′
  • 1,800 vertical feet on three sides of two different mountains

Trail Difficulty at Stevens Pass

  • Beginner 11%
  • Intermediate 54%
  • Advanced 35%
lessons at Steven Pass ski resort in Washington State

Ski Lessons at Stevens Pass

Lessons are available for skiing and snowboarding at Stevens Pass.

Lessons are also a great option for all experiece levels that want to advance and accelerate quickly to the next level under the guidance of a pro.

chair lift at Steven Pass ski resort

Which Chairlift Should You Start On at Stevens Pass?

If you’re new to skiing or want to warm up, be on the lookout for the Daisy Chairlift. 

couple on chair lift Steven Pass ski resort Washington State

The bottom elevation is 4091, and top elevation is 4384, with a vertical rise of 293 ft. This is the beginner slope.

Teenagers at Steven Pass Ski Resort

Our family spent the majority of our time on the green beginner runs. My boys’ previous skiing experiences have been in the Midwest, which is VERY DIFFERENT from skiing out West.

skier at Steven Pass ski resort in Washington State

Make Sure that You Have A Map of the Mountain at Stevens Pass

If it’s your first time visiting Stevens Pass, I recommend keeping a map of the mountain in your pocket or on your phone. I asked a staff member to circle the easier runs after we felt confident on the beginner runs.

Not all blue runs are created equal! When in doubt ask someone or refer to the map.

skiing at Stevens Pass in Washington State

We did venture over to two other chairlifts; Hogsback and Brooks Express. 

There are a few blue/intermediate trails off of Brooks Express that I would recommend after you are comfortable with the green runs off of the Daisy Chairlift.

Steven Pass ski resort in Washington State

There were maps posted near the chairlifts, but I found the trail markers/signs for the individual trails difficult to locate at the top of the run. That resulted in us going down more challenging runs on accident.

 This is REALLY important to note if you are unfamiliar with the mountain.

snowboarder at Steven Pass ski resort

The good news is that we survived. 

We gained more confidence when we made it down the more challenging runs… that we probably wouldn’t have tackled otherwise. We also discovered a few ski runs we didn’t want to go back to. We’ll save those for the more advanced skiers. 

One of us had a pretty comical wipeout in deep snow that involved being rescued by their mom. I’m not sharing those pics but they will be fun to look back. 

wooden sasquatch at Steven Pass ski resort

Another bonus of exploring other runs on the mountain was finding this wooden Sasquatch.

Lodge at Steven Pass ski resort

Where to Eat at Stevens Pass Ski Resort

There are multiple restaurants on-site at Stevens Pass.

Granite Peak Lodge

  • Bulls Tooth Pub & Eatery – Table Service
  • Cascadian Kitchen -Grab-go-go
  • T-Bar Cafe – Coffee, pastries, and snacks

Pacific Crest Lodge (Dining options on the 2nd Floor)

  •  Iron Goat Pizza Station- Pizza by the slice or made-to-order
  •  Outer Limits Grill – Barbecue
  • Pacific Cantina – street tacos and nachos
  • Trailside Snack Shack – ice cream snacks and cocoa

Tye Creek Lodge (Dining options on the 2nd Floor)

  • The Foggy Goggle Lounge- table service

The Foggy Goggle (inside Tye Creek Lodge) was highly recommended by staff a great sit-down option with table service and great food.

Guests with rentals can drop their equipment off at the complimentary ski check before going in to eat.

PNW poke nachos the Foggy Goggle at Stevens Pass Ski Resort

We started with the PNW Poke Nachos which were AMAZING! 

salmon smoked BLT at the Foggy Goggle at Stevens Pass Ski Resort
baked mac n cheese at the Foggy Goggle at Stevens Pass Ski Resort

We enjoyed our menu choices and it was nice to relax and warm up with great food. The Foggy Goggle has a family-friendly seating area and a 21+ section.

Ski at Night at Stevens Pass

You Can Also Ski at Night at Stevens Pass

Many ski resorts out West vary on whether they offer night skiing but Stevens Pass has night skiing from 4-10 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Up to 6 of their lifts are open during their night skiing operations.

Stevens Pass recommends checking their weather report before coming up, for updated information on operations.

Additional Winter Activities at Stevens Pass

Snow Play Area

Stevens Pass has a snow play area near Stevens Pass Mountain Resort.

Sled & Tubing Area – Bring Your Own

A FREE sled/tube area at the Nordic Center and Snow Play Area located six miles east of Stevens Pass summit on US Highway 2.

At the northwest of Stevens Pass Nordic Center, there is a dedicated area for snow play at no charge. This area is recommended for children 10 and under.

If you need food, beverages, or restrooms the Cascade Depot Lodge is nearby.

Snowshoeing

Stevens Pass recommends that snowshoers utilize the better terrain at the Nordic Center and Snow Play Area.

The Nordic Center has snowshoe terrain for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users that requires a trail pass.

The trail pass for snowshoeing can be purchased in the Cascade Depot at Nordic Center.

Alphorn players in Leavenworth Washington

Discover Downtown Leavenworth During the Day

There is a lot to see and do in downtown Leavenworth. You’ll find local restaurants, shops, wineries, cideries, breweries, and even a Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.

As you walk the streets that resemble a Bavarian town, you might feel like you are in a scene from the Sound of Music with gorgeous views of the mountains in the distance.

Bavarian themed village Leavenworth WA

One of the hardest decisions you have is deciding where to eat.

During our visit, we found the food options in Leavenworth to be exceptional, with each meal raising the bar on the last.

Check out my Guide for the Best Restaurants in Leavenworth for restaurant recommendations.

Christmas Lights in Downtown Leavenworth Washington

Enjoy the Christmas Lights in Downtown Leavenworth From Thanksgiving Until the Last Day of February

Each year Leavenworth makes the winter season more magical with colorful Christmas lights on trees and buildings throughout the entire town.

Christmas Lights  in Leavenworth WA

The Christmas lights in Leavenworth are up for Thanksgiving and stay up until the last day of February.

Christmas Lights  in Leavenworth WA

We were fortunate to visit the Christmas lights during Valentine’s Day weekend.

Christmas Lights  in Leavenworth WA

As you can imagine, Leavenworth is already a VERY popular destination around Christmas. 

Christmas Lights  in Leavenworth WA

One advantage of visiting Leavenworth after the holidays is viewing the Christmas lights without the large holiday crowds.

Alphorn at the Enzian Inn in Leavenworth WA

Where to Stay in Leavenworth, Washington

You’ll find plenty of options for places to stay in Leavenworth.

During our visit, we stayed at the Enzian Inn. I can’t say enough great things about this hotel!

Seriously, we LOVED it!

590 US-2, Leavenworth, WA

Save on Booking Your Stay at the Enzian Inn here
breakfast at the Enzian Inn in Leavenworth WA

The Enzian Inn is located 1/2 block from shops and restaurants in downtown Leavenworth and offers an INCREDIBLE hot breakfast with your stay!

We enjoyed made-to-order omelets and fresh pastries from the oven daily with an incredible view.

Bonus: Breakfast guests can watch the Alphorn being played twice each morning.

Enzian Inn in Leavenworth Washington

There is also an indoor and outdoor hot tub and pool which feels great after a long day of play outside.

The Enzian Inn is a very popular destination in Leavenworth and I recommend making your reservations as soon as you can in advance.

hotel in Leavenworth WA

How to Save Money on Hotels in Leavenworth

You can compare hotels and vacation rentals Leavenworth here.

Stevens Pass in Washington

How to Get to Leavenworth From Seattle

via I-90 E and US-97 N (Snoqualmie Pass)

via US-2 (Stevens Pass)

3 Travel Options from Seattle to Leavenworth

You have several options for traveling from Seattle to Leavenworth, WA.

We flew from Cincinnati (CVG) to the Seattle Airport (Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) and then rented a vehicle at the airport.

Stevens Pass in Washington State

The Drive from Seattle to Leavenworth

From Seattle Airport (Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) to Leavenworth it’s about 2.5 hours by car, more or less depending on the weather and road conditions.

The scenic drive makes the drive time go by faster. If you are renting a car at the airport, make sure that you have a vehicle with an all-wheel drive.

I recommend stopping at the scenic overlooks when given the opportunity.

Check the Mountain Pass Reports for Updates on the Road Conditions

Winter weather can often be unpredictable. It’s important to stay updated on the road conditions before you choose which mountain pass you will drive through. 

Take the Amtrak Train from Seattle to Leavenworth, WA

Each Saturday in December Amtrak offers day trip winter train tours from Seattle to Leavenworth for the annual Tree Lighting Festival.

Amtrak Daily Service

  • Amtrak Train No. 7: Departs 6:08 AM – Westbound (from Chicago) to Seattle and all intermediate stations
  • Amtrak Train No. 8: Departs 4:40 PM – Eastbound (from Seattle) to Chicago and all intermediate stations

Take a Bus from Seattle to Leavenworth

The Greyhound Bus and Northwestern Trailways are other options if you don’t want to drive. 

I enjoyed the freedom we had to explore with a rental.

No matter what you choose, Leavenworth, Washington is worth visiting!

 

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