Skykomish (Winter)

Once upon a time, eight passenger trains a day stopped in Skykomish. Today it's not even a whistle stop on the Amtrak line though the tracks still run down the main street. Skykomish doesn't dress up fancy for the winter like it's neighbor on the east side of the pass, but for a quiet winter getaway, this might be the ticket. This sleepy little village really feels like you are far away in the snowy mountains when winter comes. It's also a very convenient layover for all the Nordic and Alpine skiing and snowboarding at Stevens Pass, just a few minutes' drive away. Or bring a pair of snowshoes for winter trail exploration. Cross-country ...

Once upon a time, eight passenger trains a day stopped in Skykomish. Today it's not even a whistle stop on the Amtrak line though the tracks still run down the main street. Skykomish doesn't dress up fancy for the winter like it's neighbor on the east side of the pass, but for a quiet winter getaway, this might be the ticket. This sleepy little village really feels like you are far away in the snowy mountains when winter comes. It's also a very convenient layover for all the Nordic and Alpine skiing and snowboarding at Stevens Pass, just a few minutes' drive away. Or bring a pair of snowshoes for winter trail exploration. Cross-country skiing can be done right from town, and the Iron Goat Trail and other summer hiking trails easily become snowshoeing trails in the winter. Several good quality mountain retreat cabins are available for a romantic escape, but you could also talk about local history around the wood stove with the friendly residents at the historic Cascadia Inn or the Whistling Post Tavern and let the trainloads of tourists heading east for the hoopla just pass you by. With such an outstanding setting, things will no doubt liven up a bit when Burlington Northern finishes cleaning up the remains from the days when Skykomish was a switching station on the Great Northern Railway line in the early 20th Century. Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy this quiet mountain retreat.

About the Expert

Myra Ingmanson and Daniel C. Schechter worked together on various titles for Lonely Planet, particularly the Pacific Northwest and Mexico books. Together they coauthored chapters for Lonely Planet's Eastern Caribbean.