Events

Events

Below you’ll find events, races, and trainings happening on the trails hosted by Methow Trails or our partner organizations.

Methow Trails events

Backyard Ski Day image

Backyard Ski Day

Methow Trails invites everyone to come out for a day of FREE winter trail access. Try cross country skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking for the first time or introduce a friend to the experience you love! Come enjoy free lessons, demos, groomer rides, and treats at our headquarters from 10-12pm at 21 Horizon Flats Rd.
Ski to the Sun image

Ski to the Sun

Join Methow Trails and the Methow Valley Nordic Ski Education Foundation for the annual Ski to the Sun Marathon and Relay. The course travels through North America’s largest ski trail network and takes skiers from the tranquil banks of the Methow River to the beautiful mountain vistas at Sun Mountain Lodge. Ski the marathon as an individual or as a relay with up to five other friends or family members. You’ll enjoy food and fun along the way! Register early as this event will sell out.
Doggie Dash image

Doggie Dash

Get out your costume box. This race is all about the costume, and a dose of good luck out on the course. Human-dog teams compete in short heats to go for the glory of the coveted Golden Poodle award. Humans must ski. Dogs must run. Dogs must be on a leash. Both must be in costume. It's that simple.
Running through the balsamroot by Steve Mitchell

Sunflower

This unique course begins at 2180 feet elevation in Mazama and includes well marked deer trails, single track trails, and gravel roads. Stunning views of the Methow River, North Cascades and Chelan Sawtooths abound from flower carpeted meadows and fields.
A runner begins the descent from Cutthroat Pass by Steve Mitchell

Cutthroat Classic

Topping the charts in inspiration and popularity, the Cutthroat Classic provides incredible mountain views along a spectacular section of high alpine trail. The Cutthroat course is an 11-mile singletrack trail run through the North Cascades, following the iconic Pacific Crest Trail up and over Cutthroat Pass. This race is limited to 400 participants and sells out early every year.

Partner events

December Kids Holiday Camp image

December Kids Holiday Camp

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Skiers of all levels aged 6-14 are welcome. Sessions take place from 1-4 PM daily at the McCabe trail at Liberty Bell High School in Winthrop. Monday the skiers will CLASSIC ski and Tuesday will be SKATE technique. Dress for the weather of the day. There is no inside area, but there is covered area to snack and rest.
Ski Rodeo image

Ski Rodeo

Join us in kicking off the ski season with the family-friendly Ski Rodeo. A great way to spend time with friends and family, try a ski race, or cheer someone on! Team/relay options from 1-5 km (or ski multiple legs) and individual events from 3 to 15 km.
Try Biathlon December image

Try Biathlon December

Two times each winter Methow Valley Biathlon hosts Try Biathlon Events. Methow Valley Biathlon Team shares details on equipment, history, training and safety before participants take turns shooting at targets and skiing a short, easy biathlon course. Open to ages 9 and older; no previous biathlon experience is required. First come, first shoot. All proceeds help keep biathlon affordable and accessible to Methow Valley youth.
Vintage Ski Festival image

Vintage Ski Festival

Break out your best vintage ski gear and celebrate a piece of Nordic skiing heritage. Break out the woodens and woolies, or any old-style gear, and join us for photos and a costume contests before we head out for a short tour on the vintage boards! Location: Mazama Store Courtyard
Hanz’s Big Adventure image

Hanz’s Big Adventure

Hanz’s Big Adventure is a trials-format race for kids up to 100 years old at the McCabe Trails at Liberty Bell High School. You guess how long it will take you to do your chosen course and enter your time when you register. All you know ahead of time are the approximate distance of the courses you can choose from–1, 2.5 or 5 km.
Chasing the Sun Biathlon Race image

Chasing the Sun Biathlon Race

Short individual format biathlon race. Experienced and novice category for adults and kids who have completed a USBA biathlon safety course(red book) or Canadian equivalent. For ages 9-99.
Adult Biathlon Clinic image

Adult Biathlon Clinic

Adult Biathlon clinic led by former elite level biathlete & current Methow Valley Biathlon director Raleigh Goessling with Methow Valley biathlon coaches Betsy Smith and Scott Waichler. Athletes with USBA redbook safety certification are eligible to participate. Loaner rifles will be available upon advanced request. Individualized coaching sessions, as well as designed workouts along with ski technique instruction will be offered.
Race of the Methow image

Race of the Methow

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Two days of racing at this US Ski and Snowboard-sanctioned Pacific Northwest Junior National qualifier! Races for everyone with sanctioned categories and open/community categories too!
Try Biathlon February image

Try Biathlon February

Two times each winter Methow Valley Biathlon hosts Try Biathlon Events. Methow Valley Biathlon Team shares details on equipment, history, training and safety before participants take turns shooting at targets and skiing a short, easy biathlon course. Open to ages 9 and older; no previous biathlon experience is required. First come, first shoot. All proceeds help keep biathlon affordable and accessible to Methow Valley youth.
February Kids Holiday Camp image

February Kids Holiday Camp

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Skiers of all levels aged 6-14 are welcome. Sessions take place from 1-4 PM daily at the McCabe trail at Liberty Bell High School in Winthrop. Monday the skiers will CLASSIC ski and Tuesday will be SKATE technique. Dress for the weather of the day. There is no inside area, but there is covered area to snack and rest.

Multi-day classes and camps

Skiing the Methow Community Trail with friends.

Methow Valley Nordic Ski Camp

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The Methow Valley Nordic Ski Camp has something for everyone – whether you are a beginner to Nordic skiing or have been skiing for decades and love fine-tuning your skills, we’ve got a coach to match your ability and interest. This adult ski camp will be held at Sun Mountain Lodge and includes three days of instruction, demos, wax clinics and more!
Methow Valley Nordic Weekly Adult Classes image

Methow Valley Nordic Weekly Adult Classes

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Methow Valley Nordic offers weekly classes for a full range of abilities from beginners to advanced. Class sizes are small – typically four to eight skiers per group – so you get plenty of individual attention from our professional instructors. The classes are also a great way to connect with other skiers in the valley. Most classes meet once-a-week for eight weeks from January through the first week of March, taking a break for President’s Day week. These classes are split evenly between classic and skate technique, with the actual technique of each class determined weekly based on snow conditions. In addition, we offer four-week classes that focus on either skate or classic technique. We have two skate-only classes offered in January, and one in February. Our classic-only class begins at the end of January and runs into February.
Methow Valley Nordic Para Nordic Clinic image

Methow Valley Nordic Para Nordic Clinic

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The formal kickoff of the clinic will be early afternoon on Wednesday the 7th, giving people time to travel to the valley, with options for people to arrive early for additional skiing and training. All skier types and abilities are welcome – Sit Skiers, Standing Skiers, and Visually Impaired (VI) Skiers.

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