Top Reasons to Go

Winter sports: The nonprofit Methow Valley Sport Trails Association maintains 120 miles of groomed trails in the North Cascades during winter, when the region is also busy with snowmobiling, heli-skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter sports.

Summer sports: The groomed trails of winter are used for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking when the snow melts. Mountain lakes, ridges, and rivers also provide a perfect playground.

Cascade Loop: Visitors to the North Cascades don’t have to be athletic. This scenic byway circles through the mountains, offering some 400 miles of stunning sights.

The Old West: With its wagon wheels, wooden sidewalks, false fronts, and hitching posts, riverside Winthrop gives a glimpse into frontier days.

The Old World: The Bavarian-style mountain town of Leavenworth lights up for the holidays, Oktoberfest, and its annual accordion festival.