Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area is the state's best kept skiers' secret! Sun, Good snow and grooming (for skate and classic), views from everywhere, all around, moonlight skis with the local club, a warming yurt with a wood stove and soup on Sundays, no crowds at all, inexpensive, 40K of groomed trails.....and did I say sunshine? We always need a bit of that if we're from the west side.
Echo Ridge is a joint effort by the U.S. Forest Service and the Lake Chelan Nordic Club. It costs $10 per day per adult over 18, and you can pay in pay stations at both upper and lower parking lots. You can rent skis 2 miles down below at Echo Valley, or in town at Lake Chelan Ski and Sport. The trails are purpose-built for XC skiing and skating, and are fantabulous. They dip, roll and curve just the right amount to be interesting but not scary. There are almost no "black diamonds," and most runs are green or blue (for beginners or intermediates). This does not leave out the speedsters or the adventurous; try the Outback loop for an all-day wilderness adventure. Try also a 20K skate loop that will wear anyone out, groomed to 16' wide. Any of the loops (all the trails loop) are interesting and challenging enough for any skier, and given the views, a great day out. You can see the uplake mountains along Lake Chelan, down to town, the lake, the orchards, Chelan Butte, the Columbia River valley, across to the Columbia Plateau, and down to Wenatchee and Mission Ridge. You can even see Mt. Stuart and the Stuart range from the parking lot! Speaking of parking, there is never a crowd in any way. Even if the parking lot does approach over half-full (about twice a year), the trails are spaced such that you feel alone out there. There are animal tracks to observe and a different kind of semi-arid flora.
Dogs, snowshoers and walkers have their own trails a half-mile down below. These trails are groomed by the nordic club for skiers only, so let's keep the tracks clear of other marks. All are welcome to the yurt for warming up and fellowship. This is a volunteer-run organization.
Come on up! I've been skiing here for 5 years and never tire of it. read more