6 Coziest Mountain Towns In Washington
Washington residents are lucky to live in a state that grows even more beautiful and full of activities as the cold weather arrives. Even for Seattle locals, the mountains are just a short drive away, where a weekend can easily be spent skiing, sipping cocoa, or cozying up by a lodge fire. Looking for some of the best towns for a cozy getaway this season? Between their Christmas festivities, ski slopes, and warm breweries, these six towns will make it easy to slow down and savor a few days of mountain life.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is an adorable Bavarian-style village in the Cascades that feels especially magical in winter. Travelers can soak up the town’s Bavarian atmosphere at local favorites like München Haus Bavarian Grill & Beer Garden. This spot is known for its authentic sausages, charbroiled on an outdoor grill and served with your pick of 20 condiments and specialty mustards. It also has an impressively long list of craft beers and wines to choose from!
You’ll also want some of the area’s ski trails on your radar. The Leavenworth Ski Hill Nordic Trails are just two miles from downtown Leavenworth, offering everything from a tubing hill and a fatbiking single track to Nordic and alpine skiing trails. And, of course, don’t miss the town’s famous Village of Lights: Christmastown. This event, taking place between November 28th and December 24th, illuminates the town with over half a million lights and is accompanied by live music, a Gingerbread House Exhibition, hot cocoa, photo opportunities with Santa, and much more.
North Bend
North Bend is a lovely mountain town just a half hour from Seattle and a short drive from Snoqualmie Pass, making it an easy escape into the mountains. Travelers looking for a bit of winter recreation can head out to The Summit at Snoqualmie, which is divided into three base areas, offering opportunities to go snow tubing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and skiing.
Afterward, return to town to warm up at one of the local breweries. Volition Brewing Co. is a great option, known for its innovative beverages like hop-forward IPAs, low-ABV brews, experimental farmhouse ales, gluten-free beverages, and more. You’ll find several cozy places to spend the night, including the Roaring River Bed and Breakfast, a tranquil inn sitting on over three acres of land that overlooks the rivers and mountains.
Chelan
Sitting along the southeasternmost tip of Lake Chelan in the Cascades, the friendly village of Chelan offers the perfect combination of lake views and mountain recreation. Before heading out to explore the area for the day, grab breakfast at the Apple Cup Cafe, a breakfast and lunch spot in town that has some incredible views of the lake. A few items on the menu include pancakes, breakfast burritos, and biscuits and gravy.
About nine miles north of Chelan, travelers can take advantage of those snowy, winter days at Echo Valley Ski & Tubing Area, which has three rope tows, a 1,400-foot Poma Lift, a six-lane tubing hill, and a lodge and restaurant with a large roaring fireplace. If you are looking for a place to settle in for the night, look no further than the Lakeside Lodge and Suites, which overlooks Lake Chelan and offers amenities like an indoor pool and hot tub, complimentary breakfast, and convenient access to the lake.
Enumclaw
Enumclaw is often considered a gateway to both Mount Rainier National Park and the Crystal Mountain ski area, making this town a wonderful destination if you want to spend your vacation outdoors. The national park is accessible through the White River Entrance, located about 45 minutes southeast of town. The drive is well worth it, leading to Mount Rainier: an active volcano standing 14,410 feet tall and holding the title of the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States.
Crystal Mountain, meanwhile, is a wonderful spot to add to your winter itinerary. Covering 2,600 acres and offering more than 2,400 vertical feet, this resort is the largest in Washington, guaranteeing you a fun few days of skiing. After a day outdoors, head back into town to grab a bite at one of the cozy restaurants. The Rainier Bar & Grill is an excellent choice, a family-owned and operated establishment that serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and fish and chips, among other entrees.
Winthrop
Winthrop sits in the Methow Valley in the eastern foothills of the Cascades, where each season brings something new to do. Depending on the weather, you might consider heading out for a sunny hike, spending the day cross-country skiing, or lacing up your skates for an afternoon on the rink. Take the Methow Trails, for example: about 130 miles of groomed ski trails, many of which turn into hiking paths when the weather warms up.
The Winthrop Rink, meanwhile, offers daily public skating sessions for skaters of all levels, with visitors able to warm up at the end with a cup of cocoa and a pretzel from the indoor food stand. For something a bit more laid-back, head out to Lost River Winery for a tasting flight. The flight is complimentary if you end up purchasing a bottle!
Roslyn
Roslyn sits 2,200 feet above sea level in the Eastern Cascade foothills and is largely known today for its Western heritage. The legendary Brick Saloon is the perfect example of this history, established in 1889 and holding the title of the state’s oldest continuously operating bar. Once inside, saloon visitors can appreciate plenty of coal mining history and even an authentic 23-foot running water spittoon. There is also live music every Friday and Saturday evening!
Want to catch a movie? Check out the calendar at the Roslyn Theatre, which, interestingly enough, served as the town mortuary and funeral home for the greater part of the 20th century. In the 1970s, the building was converted into a movie house, and the Roslyn Theatre officially opened in 1979. Keep the cozy vibes going at Basecamp Books and Bites, a unique spot that combines a bookstore with a restaurant and bar, perfect for a chilly evening.
As the weather grows colder and rainier, don’t let yourself stay holed up at home the whole time. There are so many cozy mountain towns across the state that will let you make the most of the upcoming season. If you envision yourself on the slopes, you won’t have a hard time finding a ski resort to explore. Prefer to stay indoors? Inviting book stores, theaters, and wineries await you in these towns as well. So pack some warm sweaters and a pair of gloves and get ready to make the most of the rest of the year!
