Washington state has tons of places to ski but Echo Valley Ski Area is one local hill that is worth a visit by Lake Chelan in Manson, Washington. It may not be full of the fastest and largest ski lifts but there is something about riding their rope tows up the hill with a fun community of skiers and boarders that makes Echo Valley great.
We’ll look at how to get there, what the hill has to offer and some of the best trails to ride.
Echo Valley Ski Area in Washington: How to Get There
Echo Valley Ski Area is located in Manson, Washington, near the beautiful Lake Chelan. While it is perfect for the local skiers, it isn’t the big mountain experience that many are after in Washington state.
Some nearby areas skiers and boarders usually travel in from includes:
- Manson, WA – 25 minutes, 10 miles
- Chelan, WA – 20 minutes, 10 miles
- Azwell, WA – 40 minutes, 25 miles
- Pateros, WA – 45 minutes, 30 miles
- Methow, WA – 55 minutes, 40 miles
If you need directions then feel free to use Google maps.
Stats of Echo Valley Ski Area
Echo Valley is family-friendly and has a few trails for everyone.
The stats include:
- 8 runs
- 3 rope tows and a poma lift
- Tubing
Echo Valley Ski Area Lodging: Where to Stay
While Echo Valley Ski Area is more of a local back hill family vibe, you could always make a weekend out of it and rent a cabin or house close to the slopes. As we mentioned, the hill isn’t huge or full of runs but there is nothing like a little ski vacation in the winter.
Does Echo Valley Have Night Skiing?
Unfortunately, there is no night skiing at Echo Valley. The lifts run until 4 p.m. so be sure to make the most of your skiing and boarding during the day.
Echo Valley Ski Area Weather: How Are the Snow Conditions
Relying heavy on those powder dumps that Washington is famous for, the ski season typically runs from December to March.
Snow conditions at Echo Valley are likely to be good depending on mother nature but in 2021 Echo Valley drilled a well to focus on snow-making capabilities. While the actual conditions will vary depending on the weather, you can bet that from late December to the end of February, the hill has no issues with it’s base.
Ski Rentals at Echo Valley: What to Know
Skiing at Echo wouldn’t be family-friendly unless there were rentals. If you need to rent ski or snowboard equipment at Echo Valley Ski Area, then you’ll be able to get everything you need whether you are a first-timer or experienced. They even offer cross-country rental skis.
You can find a variety of ski and snowboard equipment, as well as helmets and other accessories.
Echo Valley Hill Terrain Park
It is all mountain at Echo Valley Ski Area unless you want to go tubing. Keep in mind that you’ll need to go to a larger report if you are looking to ride in a terrain park or practice your freestyle riding.
Learning to Ski at Echo Valley
Fortunately, Echo Valley Ski Area is a great place for beginners to learn how to ski. The ski area likely offers a variety of lessons and programs for people of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced skier looking to improve your skills, the ski instructors at Echo Valley can help you achieve your goals.
You can choose from drop-in group lessons or their multi-week ski school.
The ski instructors at Echo Valley are trained to provide a safe and enjoyable learning environment, so you can feel confident and comfortable as you learn to ski on the hill. Plus, the beautiful snow-covered slopes and friendly beginner terrain at Echo Valley make it a perfect place for families or individuals to learn.
Trails at Echo Valley: The Must Rides
If you can ride trail levels then the runs at Echo Valley will be no problem for you to cover in a morning. Two of the must ride runs include Face and Sunnyside.
For the latest on the crowds, you can check out the Echo Valley Resort webcams.
Tubing at Echo Valley
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Echo Valley Ski Area has a fun tubing hill for the family. It is a bit of a workout as you’ll have to walk your tube back to the top after sliding down. Not only will the kids have a blast but it is a great way to tire them out too.
You get what you pay for though. At less than $20 for a day of tubing, you just can’t beat the fun for the price.
Echo Valley Ski Area Final Thoughts
New to the sport or a veteran, Echo Valley is plenty of fun for a family or friends outing. Keep in mind the hill is run by rope tows and a poma lift. It has a bit of a different feel then a huge ski resort but it is tons of fun in it’s own right and totally worth a winter visit.
Jessie Gonzalez writes for Proper Peaks and lives in Stockton, CA. One of her favorite things about snowboarding is seeing beginners get started and watching them enjoy the sport.
