For something a little different, try a snowshoe excursion high above the shores of Lake Chelan. Enjoy the serene natural beauty of the outdoors and awe inspiring scenery of the Manson area. Routes range from beginner to challenging on over 25 miles of groomed trails.
Delight in the tranquil elegance of snow-covered alpines while snowshoeing through Echo Valley. It is a fabulous way to get closer to nature and see the amazing scenery of Lake Chelan. The Echo Ridge Nordic Area features 25 miles of trails, and they are open 24/7 beginning in December and lasting until the snow melts.
Click below to view the Echo Ridge trails map, or download the PDF below.
The Echo Ridge Nordic Area has 25 miles of groomed ski trails and is located on the Chelan Ranger District (about a 30-minute drive from Manson). Echo Ridge accommodates skiers with 20 miles of groomed classic and 10 miles of groomed skate ski trails, and the Ridge offers 2.4 miles of snowshoe trails and even allows dogs on some trails out of the Zoom Trailhead.
Groomed trails follow the ridges of the terrain creating a great skiing experience for all ability levels. Because the trails are located on the ridge tops they are generally above the fog layer that settles in the valleys so if you are looking for sunny skiing head for Echo Ridge.
Daily Fee for Skiers 18+ (17 and under ski free)
Season Passes Available at the Chelan Ranger District (Note: Sno-Park, Northwest Forest Pass and Golden Age not accepted)
Ski 24/7
Trails for All Ability Levels
Location: From Manson, head towards Chelan on Highway 150. Turn left on Winesap Rd. (next to the Lake Chelan Winery) and go approximately 3 miles to stop sign. Take a left and go 2 miles to Cooper Gulch Rd. Take a left onto Cooper Gulch and follow signs to Echo Valley. Continue past the Echo Valley Ski Area and take a right up the hill another 2 miles to the lower or upper Echo Ridge parking lots.
Contact: Lake Chelan Nordic Club (509) 888-0461
Contact the Ranger District office for more specific information and maps.
Chelan Ranger District 428 W. Woodin Avenue Chelan, WA 98816-9724 (509) 682-4900 (Voice/TTY) Fax: (509) 682-9004
Stehekin Valley Ranch
The sport of snowshoeing is as accessible as your own backyard at Stehekin Valley Ranch. There are no special skills required to start out. Snowshoeing is an ideal low impact aerobic exercise that can be taken up by anyone, and pursued for a lifetime of outdoor winter enjoyment. It puts you into the heart of the great outdoors without a lot of fancy equipment, special clothing, or expensive lift tickets.
Stehekin offers endless miles of deep snow-covered forest to explore. It’s not uncommon to stand on 8-10 feet of snow. Because of the secluded nature of the Stehekin Valley, it makes the perfect spot for a snowshoe adventure. The snow really starts to get deep in December, and snow can be found up valley as late May and even June.
Location: Stehekin is located at the head of Lake Chelan. There are no roads connecting the small Stehekin community to the rest of the world. Be prepared to take a boat, ferry, airplane, horse or hike to get there. See Ferry Tours or Aerial Tours
