Methow Valley, Washington 2023 Trip Highlights!
Endurance Adventures led its inaugural trip to the Methow Valley, Washington this past January 24th – 30th. Participants flew into Spokane and were transported to Sun Mountain Lodge nestled in the foothills of the North Cascade mountain range.
Each morning the group would eat together inside the lodge with a picturesque view of the Methow Valley and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The Methow Valley ski area had already received a base of four feet of snow and the weather forecast was favorable with warmer temperatures and sunny skies.
The first day of ski adventures started on the Mazama trail system. Skiers enjoyed views of Goat Wall and soaked up the sun in the meadows. Trip leader Brian Gregg enjoyed showing off all of his home town trails along with providing trailside snacks of hot chocolate and fresh bakery items. In the afternoon, skiers worked on their skate technique with excellent coaching tips from Olympian Brian Gregg.
A downhill ski commute to dinner at a local brewery in the town of Winthrop was a great way to refuel on carbohydrates and enjoy conversation. Guests were served hot meals inside the cozy outdoor Geodomes located along the Chewuch River. Each evening trip leaders would help with ski wax preparations for the following day so that participants could relax and enjoy some recovery time in the outdoor hot tub at Sun Mountain Lodge.
Day two started with a long classic ski on the Sun Mountain Upper Trails. The views included massive ponderosa pines and sunny vistas. The extensive 200 km of Nordic ski trails in the Methow Valley provided the group with endless ski adventures. On certain outings the group was transported by the trip leaders to various trailheads for some point-to-point ski adventures. On other occasions, skiers had the choice of relaxing or getting in more kilometers right out the door of Sun Mountain Lodge.
Day three included Brian Gregg’s favorite ski loop from Gunn Ranch to Rendezvous Basin. The afternoon was filled with more skiing, appetizers and dinner at the Sun Mountain Lodge.
Day four the participants completed a point-to-point ski from Mazama to Winthrop on the Methow Community Trail. Pastries and other delicious lunch entrees were enjoyed at a trailside bakery in Winthrop. Trip leaders provided multiple ski distance/ability options for participants. Some participants completed the entire 30 km route while others enjoyed a shorter 10-20 km distance. The goal for all Endurance Adventure trips is to handcraft itineraries for all abilities so that everyone can feel successful and enjoy skiing at their own pace and distance.
The last day of the trip included a point-to-point 35 km ski tour from Cub Creek to Mazama. Participants refueled at the trailside Rendezvous huts and finished their ski adventure eating the best sourdough baguettes in the Methow Valley.
Endurance Adventures looks forward to running this trip next season during the Ski to the Sun event February 8 -14, 2024! For more information on next years trip details click here!
