The Trails Beckon . . . .

"It is time for you to wake up and find a beautiful winter day in the Valley." 

The “Valley” is the scenic, world-renowned Methow Valley, located in Washington state’s North Cascade Mountains. The “Trail” is the Methow Valley’s claim to fame: the largest groomed Nordic ski trail system in North America with 120 miles (200km) of groomed trails surrounded by more than a million acres of wilderness and forest lands.

“They” are the ridiculously famous, delightfully wholesome Methow Valley Bjornsen kids, Sadie and Erik, and Brian Gregg, who are proud members of the 2014 U.S. Olympics Ski Team for Cross Country. Or “They” could just as easily be any of the others who train or moved here to train:  retired three-time Olympian Leslie Thompson Hall; Laura McCabe, who trained for her second Olympics, the 1998 Nagano Games; Roberto Carcelen, the first Peruvian-American cross-country ski Olympian; or veteran U.S. ski team member Torin Koos, another of this year’s Olympic Ski team.

The path to the Olympics is brutally rigorous. The athletes must have at least 100 points garnered from placing in World Cup competitions under the jurisdiction of the FIS or Federation Internationale de Ski. In fact, Sadie Bjornsen and Kikkan Randall (also on this year’s Olympic Ski Team) became the first Americans to ever win a World Cup Medal in a Sprint Relay, a Silver, at the 2011 Dusseldorf, Germany. 

So, besides lots and lots of practice, perhaps we can give a little credit to the amazing Nordic ski trail system in this part of the U.S. It used to be separate trails back in early 1970s. But thanks to a few good men (and women!) the length of the trails were slowly patched together to make one long trail, and then faithfully groomed for the most effective training and enjoyment of cross-country skiers from across the U.S. and around the globe. 

This behind-the-scenes hero is the Methow Valley Sports Trails Association or MVSTA for short. The non-profit association was founded in 1972 with the opening of the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20), and took its current name in 1995.

They are a dedicated bunch: If you would like to see the Groom Report, updated daily, it is a quick click from their website and since the MVSTA is solely supported by tickets, be sure to purchase yours at points around the Valley, and online.

By the way, these intrepid volunteers live in the area, and brave the cold to keep the trail in tip-top shape. Thank them if you run into them on or off the Trail!

So, if it’s good enough for Olympians (by supplying 3 of the 14 US Ski Team members this year, the Methow Valley contributed over 20% of the entire team!), the Methow Valley Nordic Ski trail system should be great for the beginning to intermediate skier, right? What? You’re not an Olympic skier, you say? Well guess what? The helpful MVSTA website describes which parts of the Trail are best for where you are in your skiing skills. How cool is that?

Visit soon and often — winter, summer, spring or fall. The Methow Valley cities of Carlton, Mazama, Pateros, Twisp, and Winthrop take you back to the Old West, offering funky festivals, weathered barns, great music, and superb dining. Stay in a romantic cabin, a charming cottage or an elegant resort. Get ready to enjoy sunshine, fairs, rivers, snow, trails, hiking, biking, and more! Cross-country ski the largest groomed Nordic ski trail system in North America, and breathe in the stunning beauty of the North Cascade Mountains. 

The Methow Valley - A Norman Rockwell Community

The Methow Valley is found deep in the heart of the North Cascades Mountain range of Washington state.  Nestled within the natural cathedrals of these silent mountain peaks rests a burgeoning community reminiscent of the strength, character and vitality that the great american artist, Norman Rockwell represented throughout his portraits of the American people.

It is here in the townships of Mazama, Winthrop & Twisp that an American dream thrives and awaits you. Where dreams are forged in the hearts of small businesses, family values and outdoor recreation.  A place where fences are made of rivers or ridges and survival depends on trusting thy neighbors.

In the summer months the Methow Valley is part of the North Cascades Scenic Highway, a loop that individuals en masse drive their automobiles and motorcycles through the scenic mountains, fast enough to make one dizzy as they crane their necks for the gasping views of what becomes rugged impassable winter terrain.  This highway that completes this scenic loop is closed for four to five months out of the year and the Methow Valley becomes the end of the road, a destination and winter sanctuary.

The Methow Valley is a wildlife refuge that attracts the wisest, strongest and healthiest of all whom reside in the animal kingdom and is truly the embodiment of survival of the fittest.  Whether you are fish, fowl or mammalian the valley is a place of serenity, purity and spiritual rebirth.  Much like the salmon whom spawn there everyone you encounter has an incredible story of what brought them to the Methow Valley and to unlock these stories all one must do is ask, “What brought you here?”.   

The follow up question need not to be asked, “What keeps you here?”.  As it only takes three deep breaths of snow filtered mountain air to bring your mind and body back to a time you may have forgotten.  Whether returning from ice fishing, hockey, snowshoeing, cross country or back country skiing, stories are shared, friends are made and families grow around hot, crackling wood fires throughout the Methow Valley.

“I saw a mother moose and two offspring fjord the river this afternoon.”  . . .  “Did you see John learning how to ski for the first time? Let’s take him to see the salmon, deer and eagles tomorrow.”  . . .  “Maybe we will see black bear or cougar tracks like last year.”  . . .  “Who wants to help me make a snowman in the morning?”

The gatekeepers to this sublime experience are the Central Reservations gang providing guests with a home away from home and memories for a lifetime.  Owned and run by Kathleen and Kyrie Jardin, they were married along the river and share their intimate knowledge of the community from a publicly available hospitality office in the Purple Sage building located in downtown Winthrop (across from the gas station).

As the hub of the Methow Valley, Winthrop is preserved as an old western town equipped with wooden boardwalks that connect the local brewery, bakery, bookstore and more.  Today two contemporary pedestrian bridges on either side of town cross the Methow River providing scenic panoramas for photos throughout the seasons and KTRT the Root is the local radio station found at 97.5 fm radio and transmits the pulse and beat for local happenings up and down the Valley.

Twisp is located 9 miles south of Winthrop on highway 20 and plays host to the creative class including a gallery, theatre, health food store, community center and the stunning and hospitable Methow Valley Inn.

Mazama is located 15 miles northwest of Winthrop on highway 20 where the Mazama Country store and bakery operates as the last public outpost before individuals settle into their private cabins and homesteads.  

These three townships form the nucleus for the largest set of groomed cross country ski trails in North America, with upwards of 200 miles of trails depending on your skill level.  To learn more about the trails go to the Methow Valley Ski Trail Association at mvsta.com

The winter months are full of snow filled sunny days on the trails, gorgeous sunsets and moonrises presenting star filled nights with chance sightings of the Aurora Borealis. So, bring that unfinished book, those unwritten memoirs and immerse your spirit into the mountain murmurings, filled with the hoots and howls of owls and wolves cascading across the Methow Valley. 

Central Reservations - Your home away from home.

www.centralreservations.net