Snow Play

Brrrrrr! It's cold outside! And its been snowing like crazy in the mountains (where you'd expect) and even in the San Juan Islands (where you wouldn't expect). Time to dust off those skis, snowshoes and snowboots for some winter fun.

In anticipation of the big storm and cold temperatures, WTA volunteer Jamen Tyler and I have been racing the clock to refresh and enhance our winter recreation information at wta.org. You can find all of our information in one spot - Winter Recreation, in the drop-down menu under Hiking Info.

We've pulled together all sorts of important information for snowshoers, skiers and winter hikers.

Want to find out where to go (and not go) and how to get a Sno-Park permit? Go to our Finding the Perfect Snowshoe page.

How about tips for staying safe in winter? Avalanche safety, wearing and packing the appropriate gear, navigating in snow. This is important information that bears considering every time you head outside in the backcountry. 

Our Seasonal Hikes page has snowshoeing recommendations and winter hiking suggestions. Or go to our Hiking Guide and type "snowshoe" in the hike name search field. One hundred and two choices will appear, most from Dan Nelson's Snowshoe Routes - Washington book.

Are you new to snowshoeing? We have reprinted an article from the November/December 2010 Washington Trails Magazine detailing steps to get you started.

You can find even more on our Winter Recreation page - links to weather, avalanche conditions, road conditions, ranger stations and winter skills courses offered around the state this season. 

So read up now and get outside this winter. You'll be happy you did.