Methow Valley Sports Trails Association

Methow Valley Sports Trails Association is a non-profit that manages a massive network of trails that spans 200km though out Winthrop and Mazama. The trails are mostly over US Forest service lands but do cross through some other federal and private lands, in arguably the most beautiful areas of Washington State.

The network runs along rivers, through meadows, forests, next to rugged cliffs, over bridges and in one case- under a road. In the winter it's common to see non-migratory animal like deer, squirrels, and eagles while passing through. Many of the trails are fairly gentle, but steep hills do exist and those are well marked. MVSTA offers free maps that clearly show the trails and junctions in kilometers.

Winter offers superb cross country skiing of all types because the trails are regularly groomed. You can even try the new 'Fat Bike' sport on some of the trails like the Bitterbrush. They have trails ranging from the easy green to moderately challenging blue to advanced black trails. The MVSTA website has links to trail conditions and weather.

Summer and Fall are also great, after the sun has firmed up the muddy trails. Hikers and Mountain bikers can enjoy the same trails the skiers had all winter. Most are single track, but there are sections of double track. You can ride for miles over gradual rolling hills and through blue sky meadows and piney forest. The air is wonderful here.

I recommend to anyone who loves getting active in the Great Northwest!

The Methow Valley is magical place in the winter replete with miles of world-class cross country skiing, a skating ring, quaint, warm lodging and adventures in dining. It's the rare occasion to complain about skiing conditions. The terrain is varied with flats for the beginners, steep and technical for the advanced and plenty of great scenery for all. Eating can be challenging. I've had as many forgettable meals in the valley as I've had memorable. So watch out! I recommend eating in Twisp and recreating in Winthrop and Mazama. I hear the area is great in the summer too, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

Just spent a week skiing in the Methow Valley Trail system. The snow base was very thin, just 5", though we got another inch mid week. The trails available were limited. officially about 30 percent of the total. However for less advanced skiers the choices were even more limited. We bought our passes ( five full days and one half day) at the Mazama trailhead where they told us the conditions were good in some areas but when actually skiing it was clear the marginal conditions had been badly oversold. We encountered many areas with mud and gravel and lots of tree debris on the trails. My rental skis suffered a major gouge from a rock on a recommended trail and lots of minor scratches. Nonetheless they charged full rate($195) for the two of us.
It is not their fault that snow conditions were bad, especially in the valleys, but they should have warned us honestly and offered reduced prices. I am sure the area is great in a normal ski year.