Sun Mountain Lodge: www.sunmountainlodge.com
The following article has been provided by Sun Mountain Lodge for use by xcskiworld.com. All rights reserved. Photos: Sun Mountain Lodge
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Sun Mountain Lodge has a storybook setting. It sits on a ridge top high above the fantastically beautiful Methow Valley. This dream-come–true resort was the vision of Jack Barron. He dreamed of a classic northwest resort. A rustic yet elegant lodge made from logs, stone and glass. A place that could cater to active Seattle people wanting to enjoy the sunny weather of the east slopes of the North Cascade Mountains.
Jack’s dream came true in the summer. Hiking, horseback riding and just relaxing around the pool proved popular enough. But Jack’s dream did not include winter. That was the dream of a group of skiers that saw the incredible potential for cross country skiing in the Methow Valley and the vision of Erivan and Helga Haub the lodge owners.
Located on the eastern edge of the wild North Cascade Mountains in Washington state, the Methow Valley now has one of the largest groomed trail systems in North America – over 200 km of continuous trails all set for classic and skate skiing. Access to these trails is right out Sun Mountain’s door.
Nordic skiers now routinely travel 250 miles from Seattle all the way to the Methow Valley. Why? The simple answer is; It’s worth it - the skiing is that good! The more specific answer is three things: terrain, weather and hospitality.
The Methow Valley is a glacier-carved river valley. The area is gentle, open and varied. Trails follow rivers and streams, meander through meadows, explore side valleys and cross farmer’s fields. Some are in dense forest others on open ridge tops. Flat, rolling or steep, these trails are inviting, interesting and very much fun to ski.
The winter weather seems made for nordic skiing. The North Cascades act as a huge barrier to Pacific storms and clouds so the Methow Valley enjoys mostly sunny winter days and cold clear nights. Sure the area gets some clouds now and then but hey, it has to snow sometimes. And when it does, it snows straight down – no wind. Snow depths are not huge here. Nothing like the record breaking depths of western side of the Cascades. Snowfall is moderate and dependable - it usually falls a few inches at a time and stays around all winter.
Sun Mountain lodge has achieved international acclaim with awards for the hotel, guestrooms, cuisine and wine list. The resort has a relaxed feel and the staff is super friendly. Guests are pampered with the Sun Mountain spa program offing an exceptional array of relaxing treatments. Skiers sooth well worked muscles in one of two outdoor hot pools. The main lodge building has a delightful gift shop, a game room, conference rooms and a full-service ski shop. Ninety-eight mountaintop guestrooms and sixteen lakeside cabins are all just steps from the ski trails.
If you dream of a fabulous nordic ski vacation you can make it come true at Sun Mountain Lodge.
For more information: or www.sunmountainlodge.com.
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