Leavenworth in the Winter: A weekend itinerary

Leavenworth, Washington should be on every adventurer’s list. It has something to offer visitors in every season: from wildflower hikes in the spring, to alpine lakes and white water rafting in the summer, larches in the fall, and picturesque snowy mountains in the winter, you can’t go wrong with Leavenworth no matter what time of year it is. We recently went for the first time for a January weekend, and as a “summer person” I was thrilled at how awesome it was to visit Leavenworth in the winter. Look no further to plan your own winter getaway!

This post may contain affiliate links, where if you make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting my writing!

Leavenworth in winter: what to expect

In the months of December through February, average temperatures range from 20-40 degrees, generally reaching the lower temperatures at night, with average rain or snowfall between 8 to 12 days. We originally planned to go the first weekend in December (I had visions of a pre-Christmas holiday weekend) but I rescheduled when it was supposed to be rainy.

Note: It is not uncommon for Leavenworth to get more rain than snow in December, so if you are hoping for a snowy weekend, it’s probably best to book in January or February. The holiday lights stay up through February, anyway!

When we went in early January, we lucked out with fresh snow. It was so beautiful to see everything coated in white and definitely added a magic touch to the weekend.

However, with snow comes additional considerations. First, you will want a car that has all wheel drive, possibly with traction tires. You will definitely need to carry traction devices like chains or cables as well. Even with an all wheel drive SUV, when there was fresh snow on the roads it felt a little dicey.

If you’re traveling from the Seattle area, it’s about 2-2.5 hours to Leavenworth. You can travel via Highway 2 (over Stevens Pass) or Highway 90 (over Snoqualmie Pass) depending on traffic and where your starting point is. Be sure to check road conditions before you depart. You can check Snoqualmie Pass here and Stevens Pass here.

For winter travel it’s smart to keep blankets and water in your car, and to have a full tank of gas before heading into snow.

Where to stay in Leavenworth in the winter

First things first: you will want to book your stay in Leavenworth early, especially if you’re going in December or around New Year’s, because places will fill up. In general, Leavenworth is a very popular spot and you will need to plan accordingly/in advance.

We elected to stay at the Beaver Valley Lodge, which is technically in the town of Plain about 20 minutes from downtown Leavenworth, and I highly recommend it. Not only is it relatively affordable, it was extremely comfortable, located closer to Lake Wenatchee, and much more peaceful than downtown Leavenworth. It was still close enough to easily enjoy the town but way calmer and more picturesque, as it’s surrounded by farmland. Book your stay now, you won’t regret it. We enjoyed the great coffee at the Plain Hardware store and pastries from the Old Mill Cafe, both right next door to the lodge.

For a downtown stay, I would have picked the Obertal Inn, which includes free breakfast and free reserved parking (a must in downtown where parking is a mess).

Activities for a winter weekend in Leavenworth

There are endless activities you can do during a weekend in Leavenworth in the winter.

• • Sledding: there are many places you can go sledding in Leavenworth and the surrounding area. In the central plaza there’s a “sled hill” which isn’t much of a hill and was coated in mainly ice when we went (despite it snowing while we were there!). But there are also dedicated sledding hills in the nearby areas, including the Leavenworth Golf Course (cost: $13 per adult, or $42 for a family of two adults and all children)
• 
  • Lake Wenatchee: there is a lot to explore around Lake Wenatchee, including trails for cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, a sledding hill, a picnic table, a playground, and of course beautiful lake views. The Lake Wenatchee South Sno Park has more services, including heating huts, the ability to snow camp (if you’re brave!), and the sledding hill. You can also get a permit printed in the South location but not in the North. Find more information on the sno parks here.

• 

  • Snowshoe: There are multiple options for snowshoeing around Leavenworth. Some of the highest recommended spots include Icicle River trails, the Ski Hill and Golf Course, and Stevens Pass. You can find a list of rental places for both snowshoes and cross country skiing in the Leavenworth area here.
  • Downhill ski or snowboard: head up to Stevens Pass, about thirty minutes away, for a day of skiing or snowboarding, downhill style. You can get lift tickets and more information here.
  • Snowmobile touring: See the mountains in a new way by getting out on a snowmobile! The tour companies offer 1-3 hour long guided trips and one also offers rentals without a guide. Guided tours only can be found here, Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours, and options for either a tour or independent rental can be found at Leavenworth Snowmobile Rentals.

• 

  • Alpine coaster: open year round, the alpine coaster is relatively new to Leavenworth and looks like so much fun. Reservations are recommended.
  • Tubing: snow tubing is a fun option as well, and available close to town at the Lt. Michael Adams Tubing Park a couple miles off the main highway. Tickets include 6 runs throughout the day, tubes are provided, and children need to ride independently (recommended age 8+).

• Reindeer farm: a unique experience you can try in Leavenworth is visiting a reindeer farm. Did you know reindeer can swim over 6 miles per hour and run at over 35 miles per hour? Or that the females also have antlers? These are some of the fun facts you will learn before you get to feed and pet the reindeer in the pens. There is also a concessions shop with coffees and snacks, and some spots for cute photo ops as well.

• Sleigh ride: perfect for the holidays, taking a sleigh ride in the countryside is a fun, family friendly activity that definitely sets a holiday mood. Be warned that it is a bit bumpy, and I’d probably not recommend it for a young toddler (I’d prefer to do it with a baby under 1 year or a toddler 3 or older). My two year old kept saying “get off” even though it was a relatively quick ride.We went with Leavenworth Sleigh Rides mainly because that’s the option I found in a quick search, but on further investigation there are two other (looks like they’re cheaper) options: Eagle Creek Sleigh Rides and Icicle Outfitters Sleigh Rides. All of them look like they basically offer the same thing!

• Holiday lights: stroll around downtown Leavenworth to enjoy the light show. They are on from 6 am to 11 pm daily from right around Thanksgiving through the end of February. There are also a ton of holiday activities happening in the main plaza area in December, and we even saw a live Mariachi band performing when we were there in January.

• Eat and drink: Leavenworth is known for German food and breweries. I will say I think the breweries are a bit tastier than the German food, but that may just be my general preferences! Blewett Brewing, Munchen Haus, and Stein were all places we visited and enjoyed (especially the thin crust pepperoni pizza at Blewett Brewing!)

• Sample the sweets and treats: Building off of eating and drinking, but more specific: sample some of the local coffee and sweet shops in town. You can try cookies or pastries at the Gingerbread Factory, ice cream at Whistlepunk Ice Cream, coffee at Little Red’s or Argonaut, or both at Icicle Coffee & Chocolates.

• Go shopping. There are endless small shops you can enjoy in town, with lots of cute apparel, toys, and gifts.
• Check out a winery. You can do wine tastings at local wineries to take a break from being out in the cold! Enjoy several samples of Washington wine paired with salty snacks.

Other tips for visiting Leavenworth in winter

• Book your reservations for activities and restaurants in advance. I booked our sleigh ride about a week beforehand and several times were already sold out. You don’t want to wait until the last minute, especially during peak season. The same applies for hotels or lodgings.
• Have a backup plan. Weather is unpredictable. Leave extra time in your itinerary to account for possibly bad or slow road conditions. Have alternative activities in mind if what you plan to do doesn’t work out.
• Know that Leavenworth is pretty pricey. We are generally more budget travelers and this trip was definitely a splurge. Special winter activities can be expensive (sleigh ride, reindeer farm, and skiing among them). Food and drinks are also not cheap! If you are on more of a budget, snowshoeing and sledding are good options. We ate breakfast food from home in our hotel and also had some homemade spaghetti for dinner one night to reduce how much we ate out.
• Expect crowds. If you’re looking for a super peaceful and laid back spot, Leavenworth in the winter may not be for you (especially in December or right after New Year’s). There were long lines at some of the popular restaurants in town. Consider going in February when crowds may be smaller, if that matters to you.

What to pack for Leavenworth in the winter

You definitely will need quality warm clothing gear for a winter trip!

• Snow pants (women’s, men’s, toddler snow suit)
• Snow jacket (women’s, men’s)
• Snow boots (women’s, men’s, toddler)
• Wool or synthetic base layers (women’s, men’s, toddler top, toddler bottoms)
• Fleece jacket (women’s, men’s, toddler)
• Down jacket (for when it’s cold but not actively snowing. I have this one and it is by far my favorite down jacket – and I have four; men’s version here)
• Warm hat (unisex wool beanie that both my dad and I love, toddler/kid version)
• Wool socks (women’s – I have tried many wool socks and these are my favorites, wear them for literally everything, men’s, toddler)
• Gaiter (neck version)
• Gaiters (for over your boots in the snow: men’s, women’s)
• If you’re skiing or boarding, ski goggles are a must
• Gloves or mittens (women’s, men’s, toddler)
• Handwarmers
• Snow chains or cables: You will need to get your tire size and buy based on the size. You can often get these at a local Walmart!
• Sled: generally this type of sled is much faster/more fun than other types! I prefer to get the two person version because that way you can go down with a friend, or have more space going solo
• Snow baskets for your trekking poles for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing
• Day pack
• Cozy around town sweater

Final thoughts on a winter weekend in Leavenworth

Leavenworth just might be the best place in Washington to enjoy a winter weekend getaway. With the variety of activities to do, great food and drinks, and a picturesque mountain setting, it doesn’t get any better than this!