As snow begins to blanket the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, Mount Rainier once again becomes an iconic, shimmering, white-capped summit ideal for winter recreation, including snowshoeing, cross country skiing and downhill skiing.
While you can make a day trip out of a snowy adventure, nearby lodging options can easily turn a day trip into a mini getaway. Here’s a list of places to snowshoe, ski and cross country ski on Mount Rainier as well as lodging options near each one so you can customize that perfect snowy weekend vacation.
Paradise and Nisqually Lodge
Once enough snow has fallen at Mount Rainier, a trip to the Paradise region will provide an amazing family-friendly snowshoe adventure. Mount Rainier will once again be hosting their Ranger-Guided Snowshoe Walks at Paradise, for visitors eight years old and above. When snow conditions allow, the guided walks are generally offered on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and daily during winter break from around December 23 to January 3. After early January, walks are only offered on Saturdays and Sundays, and holidays. Walks start at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and meet inside the Jackson Visitor Center (near the information desk) in Paradise. Sign-ups begin one hour in advance of scheduled time for the 1.8 mile hike that takes around two hours to complete.
The best part of this? You don’t need snowshoes! If you have them, you can use them, but even those new to snowshoeing can get a pair for the walk from the NPS staff. The snowshoes for ranger-led hikes are provided by the park, but keep in mind they can only be used for these guided walks. A $5 donation from each snowshoe walk participant is recommended, as the fee helps the park provide these awesome snowshoe walks.
To make a day of wandering around Paradise even better, spend a night or two at the Nisqually Lodge in Ashford. Minutes from the park, this fantastic lodge is in a unique mountain town just minutes from the park boundary.
Reflection Lake and Seasons Motel
Those bringing their own snowshoes should consider taking the classic trek to Reflection Lake, also accessible from the Nisqually Entrance. After staying the night at the cozy Seasons Motel in Morton, take the short drive out toward Paradise and head to the Narada Falls View Area parking lot. From here, the snowshoe trail climbs 560 feet in elevation before dropping back down toward Reflection Lake. Passing warming huts and restrooms, the trail is pretty popular with winter enthusiasts. This seven-mile round trip trek is not for beginners, but those looking for a fun adventure will enjoy the incredible views of the mountain on clear days. As an added bonus, snowshoe on for a little longer and enjoy Louise Lake, which makes for a great backcountry camping area for clear winter nights.
Mowich Lake and Mill Village Motel
Quite possibly the easiest long distance snowshoe trail in Mount Rainier, the 10-mile round trip trek to Mowich Lake is a breathtaking escape into true alpine wilderness. Mowich Lake gives good views of Mount Rainier and Tolmie Peak and is one of the quietest places to go after a nice snowfall. The only downside of Mowich is that the trail, which is actually the road, varies in length, depending on how low the snow is on the road. Always check conditions before heading out and make sure to bring chains, a shovel and anything else that will help if you encounter a slushy road. To make this trip easier, spend the night at the Mill Village Motel in Eatonville and get an early start on the day. A warm room to return to after the snowshoeing adventure will also help make the entire trip that much better and memorable.
Mazama Ridge, Cowlitz River Lodge and Crest Trail Lodge
If you are wanting the very best views from a moderate snowshoe adventure, look no further than the trail to Mazama Ridge out of the Paradise Region. Right at the tree-line, the six-mile round trip trek to Mazama Ridge will take your breath away, thanks to panoramic views. With incredible views of Mount Rainier and the Tatoosh Range, weave your way through pristine snow and giant drifts built up by the winds blasting the region on bad weather days. Along Mazama Ridge, you’ll be able to explore meadows with views in all directions. This is the one snowshoe adventure that is worth the time and effort. Keep in mind that the trail gains nearly 1,000 feet of elevation and does have one section with moderate avalanche danger.
To best enjoy the Paradise Region and to enjoy a full day of snowshoeing at Mazama Ridge, take a night or two away from home and stay at one of Packwood’s lodges. Whether you stay in the Cowlitz River Lodge or the Crest Trail Lodge, you are guaranteed to have a relaxing evening in a warm room with plenty of fantastic amenities to rest your body.
Mather Memorial Highway and Mill Village Motel
Finally, those looking for solitude on Mount Rainier’s northeastern corner will fall in love with the snowshoe adventures found on the Mather Memorial Highway to White River. After a stay at the Mill Village Motel in Eatonville, take the short drive past Crystal Mountain to the Silver Creek Snow Park. From here, the 10.4 mile round trip snowshoe adventure will see you gain over 1,000 feet and lead you to an amazing adventure in the park. Along this route, you will follow the closed road and pass under the iconic Mount Rainier National Park Entrance Arch. The trail continues to follow the road for nearly five miles before reaching the sunrise road. While you could hike this, continue on your path for another half mile to take in an amazing view of Mount Rainier and the White River valley.
Mount Rainier is a multi-season park, and while a large section of the park is closed for the winter, the areas that are accessible allow for incredible adventures and endless explorations. If you have your own pair of snowshoes, head out and enjoy any of the trails once you enter. If you need a pair of snowshoes for the day, the park concessioner rents snowshoes to anyone wishing to snowshoe in the park. Your best bet for finding a pair is at the Longmire General Store or the outdoor shops outside of the park near Ashford.
Cross Country Skiing and Nisqually Lodge
Those hoping for skiing opportunities in Mount Rainier National Park are in luck. While downhill skiing is limited to all but those willing to hike up steep terrain, Mount Rainier National park is a cross country skiers Dreamscape. Those staying in Ashford at the Nisqually Lodge in Ashford will have access to the Mt. Tahoma Trail System. The Mt Tahoma Trails are the largest no fee hut-to-hut trail system in North America, giving nearly 50 spectacular miles of trails created for winter recreation, 20 of which are well-groomed. The highlight isn’t just the trails though, the destinations lead to three ski huts and a yurt that let you enjoy a night of backcountry wilderness. The well-signed and patrolled trails along the Mt. Tahoma Trail systems vary in difficulty, ranging from novice to expert.
Crystal Mountain Ski Area and Mill Village Motel
If you are staying the night at the Mill Village Motel in Eatonville, the skiing options around Mount Rainier are numerous. You can hit the slopes at the stunning Crystal Mountain Ski Area, which is nearly a rite-of-passage for snow enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest. After riding up a gondola to the top of the mountain, take in the stunning views of Mount Rainier in the distance before shredding down the well-groomed, powdery paths. Near Crystal Mountain, the Suntop Mountain Sno-park is a breathtaking slice of alpine heaven for cross country skiers. With 9.5 miles of trails awaiting your adventure, the views here will quickly make this a family favorite destination.
White Pass Nordic Center
If White Pass is where you want to experience the incredible snows of the cascades, cross country skiers will fall in love with the trails around the White Pass Nordic Center. Offering nearly 12 miles of groomed, double-track trails, the Nordic Center is well worth the cost of a day pass. Weaving through two national forests, the trails are the perfect excuse for a weekend stay in Morton or Packwood. Whether you stay at the Seasons Motel in Morton, or either the Cowlitz River Lodge or the Crest Trail Lodge in Packwood, adventure into the beauty of White Pass is found quickly from your cozy room.
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