Echo Ridge, WA

This page was created in Dec. 2021 for our club's general membership meeting, but we are leaving it up for general information. You are invited to join our meeting: (Zoom) meeting on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Hope to see you then!

Echo Ridge is a popular destination for a number of our club members. Not too far away and high enough for potentially excellent skiing. What is special about it? USFS spent $1 million dollars to have trails designed for cross country skiers. So expect well laid out trails on gently rolling terrain. Fantastic views! It's above the downhill ski area. And the club owns the groomer so they keep the trails well groomed.

Main ski area website: Echo Ridge. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. It has 40 km of groomed trails.
The Forest Service has a nice description of the area, as well as a number of pictures.
Location: 11 miles from the town of Chelan, WA; it's 224 miles from Bellingham. Approximately 5 hours from Bellingham if all goes according to plan.
Elevation: lower parking lot is at 3600 feet.
Google Road map to ski area
Driving: It's in the mountains and it's wintertime. Better be prepared! Snow tires. And bring chains. And check their website to see if the road up from Chelan is open. There have been a couple of incidents where it rained, then froze so they had to close the road because it was too dangerous.
Type of skiing: Most trails are groomed for classical and skating.
Trail map
Length of season: No grooming as of Dec. 11, 2021. But maybe with this last storm it will open shortly? The 2020-21 season ended with the last grooming on March 16.
Grooming report
Snowmaking: There is no snowmaking for the Nordic trails.
Expected Weather: 'Often above the clouds that frequently cover the Lake Chelan valley'
When would I go? Several club members are thinking late January ought to be good. And it's reported that several places do pairings of chocolate and red wine over Valentine's Day!
Places to stay / price range:

The Apple Inn has reasonable rates and is next door to the Apple Cup Restaurant which has good food at a reasonable price and is a favorite of locals.
Or stay at the River Walk Inn at the end of Lake Chelan. It gives you easy walking access to downtown Chelan. They allow dogs and is next to a long, beautiful public walking path. It has a cafe, or you can cross the street for Mystic Pizza (and delicious calzones).
A third option is to stay in a cabin next to the Echo Ridge downhill area. Then you are only 2 miles from the x-country trails. They have kitchens so you can bring your own food and hot tubs! Check out: https://www.chelanrentals.com/2br/. Studio cabin is $80/night, 1 bedroom is $185, 2 bedroom is $230, pets $10 fee/night.

Trail fees / passes needed: Day ski passes are $15 per person and can be purchased at the self service fee areas located at the trailheads with cash or check. Kids 17 and under ski free! The ski trails are open 24/7.
Equipment rentals are available from nearby vendors
Special Events: There should be good skiing all season long. But a race/tour gives you a chance to be part of an event! Join others for specially marked trails, feed stations, and the fun of a race! Keep an eye out for the Echo Ridge Ski Loppet in February. From 5 - 30 km and a great way to see the ski area. It was canceled last year due to covid, it's not clear if it will be held this year.
Other things to do: downhill skiing at the Echo Valley Ski and Tubing Area. And if you need more, there are over 15 wineries there to check out! Vin Du Lac had great dining and live jazz when we were there.
Want to talk about it? Want some stories? Want a suggested itinerary? This is a forwarding email address, your questions will be sent to 'the 'experienced user' – questions@nooksacknordicskiclub.org

What I would do/ski:

Don't miss 'Zippity Do-Da'!
Caution with 'Zoom'. It's a steep, black-diamond trail!