Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Walla Walla in the spring and fall for miles of cycling past vineyards and orchards or for hiking with a backdrop of wheat fields, the Blue Mountains, or pine forest. But there’s equal magic in the fourth season – winter – when you’ll find plenty of easily-accessible family-friendly activities to keep your hot cocoa cup filled for a weekend or a week.
Skiing and Snowboarding
The closest ski resort to Walla Walla, Bluewood, is just 20 miles east of Dayton and will make you nostalgic for resorts of bygone days. Family-friendly with a relaxed vibe, it has everything from easy groomers for beginners (check out the EZ 1-2-3 Package), to terrain parks, tree skiing and black-diamond backcountry experiences for more seasoned shredders. The mountain receives an average of 300” of snow per year with 26 runs and close to 400 acres of skiable terrain. There’s no high-falutin prices – adult lift tickets start at just $66 with discounts for multiple days or by purchasing online for weekend skiing. Bluewood has recently made some upgrades including a new snowmaking system, a snazzy patio with fire pits, and additional dining options. A high-speed quad is in the works!
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
South of Walla Walla past Tollgate, Oregon, is Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area.
This pristine forested playground is meticulously maintained thanks the Blues Crew, the Blue Mountain Land Trust’s trail maintenance volunteers. Enjoy close to 16 miles of marked trails with a warming hut. Snowshoeing is epic here – note that etiquette is to stay off the cross-country ski tracks. You can check out conditions using the Tollgate web camera. Don’t forget your Sno-Park Pass available online.
Insider tip: enjoy Après-ski time with a burger and brew at Tollgate Crossing. The renovated bar, restaurant, coffee shop, bakery, and general store is a hot spot to gather.
A delightful way to explore snowshoeing at Horseshoe Prairie and meet like-minded snow enthusiasts, especially if you’re new to the sport, is with Adventure-Fit. They provide transportation from Walla Walla, snowshoes, poles, instruction, guided tour, and BYO lunch. Adventure-Fit hosts an annual snowshoeing and wine tasting collaboration, this year teaming up with Pepper Bridge Winery scheduled for Valentine’s Day.
Closer to home, when it snows in Walla Walla (which typically gets less than 10” a year) it’s go-time! Grab your gear and head to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site or Bennington Lake for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing with winter Hallmark-movie-worthy views.
Sledding
Across the highway from Horseshoe Prairie, you’ll find Andies Prairie, the only designated sledding and winter camping area in the Blue Mountains. The massive rock pit-turned epic sledding area attracts thrill-seeking young at young at heart. This spot gets very busy on the weekends – if you can go midweek, you’ll have more room to play. With steep slopes, helmets are encouraged. A Sno-Park Pass, available online, is required.
When snow falls in Walla Walla, grab of thermos of hot cocoa and head to Fort Walla Walla Park or Pioneer Park, the latter offering gentle slopes for young sledders.
Where to Get Your Gear On
Dusty’s Ski and Snowboard Shop is a family-owned Walla Walla institution for purchasing and renting snow gear. Whitman College’s Outdoor Recreation Program Rental Shop is another option and open to the public. Ski Bluewood will get you set up for the mountain, and if you forget any gear, their store Base4545 has you covered.
Other Rentals and Tours
The folks from Tollgate Crossing have launched Tollgate Rentals and Tours with snow bike and snowmobile rentals, cabin and snowmobile packages, backcountry snowboarding drops, and more. Send a message through their Facebook page for details.