[Foist]

I have a question -- how late in the season (early March? Late March? April?) is cross-country/nordic skiing typically still doable in the Methow Valley?

[Joe]

As usually, it depends on how much snow the Methow valley receives that winter In an average year, they usually groom the trails to about mid-march (10 -15). Some of the trails closer to Winthrop will be closed by mid-march. Sun Mountain, parts of Rendezvous and early winters will have snow. You can usually count on the trails being groomed through the first week of March (unless it is a really light snow year). One year we were there x-c skiing March 23 -25. They stopped grooming the next day. We had to walk a few sections (less than 100 feet) of the MVCT trail around Browns Farm. The last few years, our x-c ski trip to the Methow valley have been in late February, starting just after presidents day( ~20th). Some years the snow is great and some years the snow is starting to disappear (especially the MVCT trail from Winthrop to Wolf Ridge resort).

[Foist]

Awesomely helpful, Joe. Thanks.

[Joe]

If I am heading over toward the end of their x-c ski season, I start watching the grooming reports. The reports list snow depths at various locations and contain general comments on the trail conditions. Watching the reports, you can usually get a feel for how much longer the trails will be groomed. We will be in Mazama starting on Feb. 19 for 6 days, 4 days of skiing Loup Loup Pass also has two groomed areas, about 12 miles from Twisp. One side of the pass is the groomed area at the ski resort and the other side is a snow park. Both are great areas to ski. The ski resort charges $10 a day to use their trails.

[seawallrunner]

wow Joe, thank you. I was watching the thread, looking for some good info. I would love to ski LoupLoup and in the Methow area

[Meander]

I go the second weekend of March every year, and although it is sometimes thin, there has always been groomed snow to ski on at that time period. Last year, that was indeed the last weekend of grooming.

[ActionBetty]

Great thread Foist... I really want to check this area out this year. It looks like a winter wonderland

[Foist]

Oh I've been there a couple times. It's fantastic, assuming you're into cross country skiing. I'm pondering a vacation with the girlfriend, but we might not be able to go until mid March.

[E's Mom]

I've been to the Methow for xc skiing many times and never later than President's Day weekend. We've had abundant snow (and lots of new snow) and thin, melting snow. But we've always found plenty of good trails to ski. Like Joe said, watch the grooming reports (www.methow.com). However, if you need to make a reservation soon you might want to reserve no later than early March. My family & I are considering that time line because it's not as cold (we have a small child). If anyone hasn't been to the Methow yet and enjoys xc skiing, by all means GO!!!

[Joe]

[BeyondLost]

Almost all the trails are open and with fresh snow predicted every day for the next week they all will be in great shape by the weekend. I just got here monday and in the upper Methow we have about 2 1/2 feet of snow left on the ground from the 4 feet of snowfall a week ago. I've been out snowshoeing (and shoveling) all day. Since there was rain after the snow the surface is crusty in places. Lots of snowshoe hare and still whitetail deer but the mulies are all down valley. I see flakes starting as I write.

[captain jack]

I need some enunciation clarification please. Is it pronounced Me Toe like snow, or Me Tau like plow, or Me thou like thousand ?

[ArcDome]

For those that are keeping score, the MVSTA has suspended trail grooming today. There is still a lot of good skiing left but the MVSTA will not be requiring trail passes since they are not grooming anymore. Anybody who wants some free skiing, the trails should be in good shape for another couple of weeks.