Winter in Leavenworth, Washington

Imagine a Bavarian-style village, surrounded by evergreen trees and mountains dusted in white powdery snow. Then add thousands of twinkling lights in the downtown square from December to February, and plenty of winter activities to partake in. Welcome to the magic of Leavenworth in winter!  

Check out some of our favorite winter activities the whole family can enjoy: 

Where to Go Sledding and Tubing? 

When the snow is falling you can sled or tube for free right in the heart of downtown on the little hill in Front Street Park.  Bring your own sled, or buy one at one of the local shops. We recommend going when it is dark to see the square all aglow with twinkling lights.  

For more of a thrill, head to Leavenworth Ski & Tubing Hill. It’s only 2 miles from town, and has a 100-foot tubing hill complete with two rope tows and a moving carpet, so you don’t have to trudge back up the hill. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Ski Hill ticket booth, and are good for six runs anytime throughout the day.  

You can also enjoy 26 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails, as well as snowshoe & fat biking trails. 

Where to Go Skiing?  

You can also enjoy hitting the slopes at the Leavenworth Ski Hill. This popular local hill offers alpine downhill, cross country, and snowboarding with 2 rope tows, and a ski jumping hill. Tickets for each activity can be purchased separately, or you can buy the “Play All Day” pass which includes all the winter activities available on the hill. 

For more slopes and speed, try Stevens Pass. This thrilling ski hill packs a powdery punch with some epic views. The pass is only 40 minutes from Leavenworth, and there’s even a daily shuttle service. 

Where to Go Snowmobiling? 

Did you know the Leavenworth, WA area is considered one of the best in the country for snowmobiling? With hundreds of miles of trails to explore, and an annual average snowfall of 15 inches, it is a snowmobiler’s paradise. 

If you don’t have your own snowmobile, you can rent from several local outfitters – Leavenworth Snowmobile Rentals and CJ-Rentals.  

Prefer to go on a tour? Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours will take care of everything. Choose from a variety of guided tours ranging from 1 hour to 4 hours. They even offer magical nighttime rides. 

Note: Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours include all gear such as snowsuits, gloves, boots, and helmets.  

Enjoy Winter Karneval  

Come join in on the fun from January 6 – January 28 for Leavenworth’s Annual Winter Karneval, commonly referred to as “Fasching.” The whole family will enjoy live ice carving, fireworks over MLK weekend, music, ice-themed games, and more! 

Visit a Reindeer Farm  

The whole family will enjoy a visit to the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm for a hands on, educational tour. Tours of the farm last about 1 hour, and include a fun facts introduction around a campfire, a reindeer meet and greet along with hand-feeding. The farm is also building the West Coast’s largest geodesic projection dome, which will feature Northern Lights shows (coming early 2023). 

Note: Advanced reservations required. Book online.  

Take a Sleigh Ride 

Enjoy a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride through a winter wonderland. Contact Icicle Outfitters & Guides, Eagle Creek Ranch, or Leavenworth Sleigh Rides to see which tour best accommodates your needs, and the size of your group.  

Shop, Sip and Eat 

Take a stroll down charming Front Street where you can find everything from lively beer gardens, wine tasting rooms, locally-owned shops, coffee shops, a Nutcracker Museum, German-themed restaurants, and so much more!  

Book a Winter Getaway with Us! 

Destination Leavenworth by Meredith Lodging offers a lovely selection of beautiful, private vacation homes in Leavenworth, Washington to suit all sizes and budgets from charming cottages, luxurious condos and spacious lodges. We guarantee you will have a magical stay!