Mobile Phone/Tablet

Winter Family Fun in the Mt. Rainier Area

GO TO SUMMER FAMILY FUN
  • WATCH VIDEO:
    Snow Play at Paradise

    Snow Play Area at Paradise - Sledding & Inner Tubing | A Closer Look
    Snow Play Area is OPEN!
    Families with children will enjoy the snow play area at Paradise, north of the upper parking lot -- at least five feet of snow are needed before it can open. It is usually open by mid-December. The Snow Play area is the ONLY place in the park where sledding and sliding are permitted. Trees, tree wells, and cliffs make other areas dangerous. For everyone's safety, use "soft" sliding devices flexible sleds, inner tubes, and saucers. No hard toboggans or runner sleds.

  • A day on the slopes at White Pass
    © Jeff Caven

    Spend a Day on the Slopes
    CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN | Official Website
    Kids 10 and under ski free at Crystal Mountain every day. The resort also offers an incredible Kids Club program that continually receives rave reviews. In addition to the long list of ski lessons offered for kids, Crystal also offers Parent/Toddler lessons for kids ages 2 & 3. And the kids love the friendly skiing & snowboarding mascots Micro-Chip the Chipmunk and Elky the Elk.

    WHITE PASS | Official Website
    On the other side of the mountain at White Pass Ski Resort, weekend kids' clinics offer a full day of skiing or snowboarding adventure for children ages 5-12. The resort also offers PeeWee Skee for the youngest kiddos. One hour of sliding and experiencing the winter outdoors with an instructor. And for the advanced rider, the White Pass Ski and Snowboard Club will further their skills.

  • © Lisa Fearn

    Catt Creek Road
    The Catt Creek Road in Ashford is a favorite snowy playground for families. Turn right off of Hwy 706 on the Kernahan or Skate Creek Road (2.6 miles from Visitor Center in Ashford). Continue about 1.4 miles and then turn right on Osborne Rd., then an immediate left onto the #85 road. The road is paved for 6 miles. Park at the Green Gate. Another popular area can be accessed from the #59 Road on the North side of Hwy 706 near Copper Creek. The road is not plowed so use caution and carry chains.

  • Cut your own Christmas Tree

    Cut your own Christmas Tree | Official Website
    Share a traditional family outing to find, cut and carry home the perfect Christmas tree. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest sells $5 u-cut permits.

  • Northwest Trek
    © Northwest Trek

    Northwest Trek Wildlife Park | Ticket Rates, Hours Open, Maps
    Near Eatonville, the Wildlife Park is a treasure for families and wildlife enthusiasts. The signature tram tour through the 435-acre free roaming area offers the opportunity to spot animals as they wander through forests, wetlands and meadows. The bison cluster in the flat areas, eyeballing the tram as it turns toward them. The caribou and the elk seem close enough to touch - because they are! The mix of animals that can be seen from the comfort of the tram is remarkable and the chance to see them in this way is a one-of-a-kind experience.

    Including the core area -- with cats, bears, wolves, owls and more -- the park is home to 200 animals representing 30 species.

  • Oak Creek Elk Feeding Area
    © Cheryl Rasch

    Oak Creek Elk Feeding Area | A Closer Look
    At the Oak Creek Wildlife Area, you can observe the supplemental winter feeding of the Yakima elk herd -- up to 1,200 animals including 90 branched-antlered bulls. The winter feeding program was started at the 94,000 plus-acre Oak Creek Wildlife Area in 1945. A large parking and viewing area with an interpretive center allows the public to closely approach the elk. This provides more than 100,000 visitors the opportunity to observe the elk each winter. It is located just west of Naches on the White Pass Scenic Byway.

  • The Santa Express
    © Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

    Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad's Santa Express | Official Website
    You too will believe! Catch a steam train ride during the holiday season when the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad becomes the 'Santa Express'. Take a holiday ride through a winter wonderland on a fun-filled vintage steam train adventure. Passenger's of all ages will enjoy a visit with Santa and the festive atmosphere of holiday lights and music, and of course, hot cocoa, cider and cookies!