11 nights during Christmas Washington
 

Planning a road trip for Christmas. Flying into Seattle around Dec 18th and making way to Leavenworth, then Spokane/ Cor' de Laine, and possible working down to Salt Lake for flight return. Nothing in plan is concrete, except The Christmas village in Leavenworth. It's been 20 years since my wife and I enjoyed the area, and now will be showing 3 teen agers (19,17,14). We are interested in all snow sport activities, all foodie options, and natural sightseeing.

I would be nervous about making concrete plans to drive in December. Although I-90 is a major role and basically never closed for more than a day or two sure to snow, it does sometimes close or require snow tires for hours. Do you have to go to Coeur d'Alene and Salt Lake City, or can you fly out of Seattle or Portland instead?

If it is possible, I thought the Christmas Market in Vancouver was much better (authentically German) than the Leavenworth village. But Leavenworth IS a fantastic place that time of year because of the scenery.

You definitely need snow tires/chains. Not so much for I90, although it's possible, but more for the portion in Spokane and headed south. There have been a few winters Spokane would have been impossible without traction tires, and Idaho is not really known for road maintenance. Maybe pad your trip on both sides with an extra day, as winter travel in this region can sometimes take much longer than planned. And unless you are planning to go across Snoqualmie and then up to Leavenworth, chains are a given on highway 2. I would never attempt that road with all weather/4WD without chains in December.

An alternative plan: instead of going south, hit Vancouver and/or Banff. I'd rather go to whistler than SLC anyway- and if you haven't been to SLC, it is NOT cosmopolitan and fun the way Vancouver is. (Unless you are Mormon, then never mind). You would spend less time in the car and I think you'd be on better roads as well.

I wouldn't want to make firm plans to drive through Idaho to Boise and SLC- I've friends with family down there, did that trip a few times in the winter over the years, and you just never know about conditions until you wake up in the morning! Not how I'd want to spend my vacation- especially when you have a flight to catch at the end.

Additionally- while I thought SLC was beautiful, it just does not compare to the activities and culture available in BC. I think the teens would find SLC rather boring if they like to shop at all. I was impressed by the Natural History museum and the Aviary and the food scene- and of course the scenery- but not much else.

Back on topic, though-
Couerdalene Resort has an amazing light display and go into Davenport Hotel in Spokane to see the decorations (and the gingerbread house on the second floor).

Thank you so much. you have made me rethink my plan. I am not set on SLC and will evaluate the options. I was just trying to do something different and see parts of the country the Family had never experienced. Vancouver is now on my radar.

If you all have passports, go to Vancouver. Whistler is an easy bus trip.
The train or Amtrak bus from Seattle to Vancouver is a better option than taking a rental car over the border.
Leavenworth is worth the trip over the pass to see all the Christmas stuff in December.
Save Idaho and SLC for a trip in a warmer month. Depending on whether we get snow in December, the teenagers might want to visit Mt. Hood in Oregon.

It's spelled Coeur d'Alene and pronounced Cor duh lane. That always throws people, as does Pend Orielle (Pon duh ray).

Have a good time.