Nordic Center at Stevens Pass

NORDIC CONDITIONS

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DISCOVER MORE OF STEVENS PASS AND EXPLORE MORE OF THE BEAUTIFUL CASCADES

Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing                                   
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The Stevens Pass Nordic Center is located just 5 miles east of the pass in Mill Valley. Mill Valley is the quiet side of Stevens Pass and a friendly place to explore nature’s winter wonder. Our lodge, the Cascade Depot is your base camp for adventure offering rentals, lessons, tasty snacks and some good old mountain hospitality. 

Mill Valley is filled with natural wonders and steeped in human history. From 1925 to 1929 the builders of the Cascade Tunnel called Mill Valley home. Several hundred men, many with families in tow, lived rugged lives in wooden shacks during construction of the seven mile long railroad tunnel. The tunnel builders and their town may be gone, but the story of adventure continues. Our groomed ski trails and stomped snowshoe trails are your path to exploring the scenic beauty and the amazing history of Stevens Pass. 

Don’t forget, your Epic Pass includes access to all Stevens Pass Nordic trails!

Opening and closing times may change throughout the season. For the most up to date information view our Hours of Operation page.

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Nordic Center Parking

Parking is free for all users.

  • Winter adventurers not using Stevens Pass Nordic Center Nordic trails are encouraged to park in the outer lot.
  • The gated inner lot is locked at 4pm.

Stevens Pass Nordic Center Nordic Trails and Snowshoe trails are for ticketed Nordic skiers only. 

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Nordic Lessons

  • First Time Nordic Classic or Nordic Skate lessons - 3hrs
    • 10:00am start for ages 12 and under
    • 11:00am start for ages 13+
  • First Time Nordic Skate lessons - 3hrs
    • 1:00pm start for ages 13+ pm
    • For new challenges and more rewards!
  • Take advantage of our First Time Classic package and our First Time Skate package to save money and get you set up with the right equipment. Packages include rentals, lesson and a trail pass. Book online and save time!
  • All of our lessons will have a maximum class size of six so our instructors can ensure that you get the best experience.

 

NORDIC PRIVATE LESSONS

Our private lessons are individualized focusing on your specific goals.

  • Max group size: ­­­­6
  • PSIA certified instructors
  • Private Family lessons available too! A great option for enjoying the experience together as a family under the guidance of our amazing Nordic staff.

Private lessons are booked by calling in advance or in person at the Cascade Depot (depending on availability.) 

Nordic Center Dining

The Cascade Depot offers grab and go snacks and a selection of beverages. We do not currently offer hot food service, but we can fill your pack with trail goodies. Be sure to drop in for a hot drink to warm up or a cold beer to relax at the end of a great day.
 

 

Nordic and Snowshoe Rentals

We have you covered when it comes to the right gear for exploring winter. We have Nordic rentals for both classic and skate skiing as well as snowshoes and pulk rentals.

  • At this time we are unable to make rental only reservations. Arrive early to ensure availability.
  • We will hold equipment for First Time Classic Package and First Time Skate Package lessons booked online at least 24 hours in advance. 

Sledding and Snow Play

Yes you can! 

  • FREE with no charge for parking! Stop by the Cascade Depot for a tasty treats, friendly faces and indoor plumbing!
  • Sledding and tubing on our groomed sledding hill. Plastic sleds and tubes only, NO metal edged equipment allowed on the groomed sliding hill. No skis, snowboards or metal edged sleds or toboggans
  • Do not use Nordic Center trails for snow play, sledding or back country access

Nordic Center Map

View Nordic Map

Yes! Kids generally learn really quickly – We offer a 10 am group Nordic Classic lesson for kids from 5 to 12. You can join up with your own equipment or purchase a First Time Classic Package to make sure everyone has the right gear. If your family likes to learn together we recommend booking a private lesson with one of our PSIA certified instructors.

It’s smart to rent when you’re starting out. That way, you can make sure you like the sport (you will!) before you invest in equipment, and you can also see what kind of skis and boots you like. We offer a large variety of skis and boots to try on a variety of skiing experiences.
Yes, when the Nordic Center is open for operations. See the parking attendant in the lots or go directly to the parking building to arrange transportation.
From a child’s 9.5 through youth 9, Women’s 5 through 11.5 and men’s 4 through 15.5 aka Euro size 26-50.
Sledding is allowed at the Nordic Center. We offer a small groomed sled hill free of charge.  There is limited parking and the area is first come first served.  We welcome you to enjoy the beauty of lower Mill Valley and a tasty treat from the Cascade Depot.

No, our groomed trails are only for Nordic skiing. When it comes to Nordic Skiing a well-groomed surface is what it’s all about. Our snowshoe trails offer more intimate exploring and offer you access to some amazing places not available on the groomed ski trails.

Dress in layers so you can take them off (as you get warmer) or put them on (as you get cooler). A hat is a great way of controlling temperature, you also need gloves or mittens (if it’s colder); it’s not a good idea to ski bare-handed.

Clothing for cross country skiing is versatile. You can use tights and windbreakers made for skiing, bicycling, or jogging. 

Conventional cold weather clothing like bulky parkas isn't suited to cross country skiing, as it constricts movement and generates excessive body heat. 

Wearing several light articles of clothing - for instance, polypropylene or similar underwear and synthetic fleece overpants plus windpants, with a wool or fleece zip sweater and a wind-resistant jacket - allows you to trap warm air in pockets of space. Synthetics and wool blends are the best – cotton is not good. Cotton absorbs and holds moisture, acts like a moisture sponge whether it’s perspiration or snow and accelerates cooling, (So, leave your jeans at home!) Synthetics and wool blends allow moisture to evaporate, making you more comfortable.

Socks are perhaps the most important clothing item, try wearing thin polypropylene liners under a pair of wool or wool-blend socks. If your toes are susceptible to cold, resist the temptation to put on too many socks - you'll only restrict circulation, making your feet colder. Our rental boots have a lot of insulation in them for your additional warmth and comfort.

Gloves are better for precise ski pole control and dexterity in getting in and out of your skis. Mittens are best if you're prone to cold hands, since they allow fingers to share body heat.. In warmer conditions, don’t use too heavy a pair or they'll be sweat-soaked in the first kilometer. We find most people need a lighter glove than what they imagine, often getting cold hands from sweat soaked heavy gloves like those commonly used in Alpine skiing and Snowboarding.

Biathlon Events at the Nordic Center

Biathlon is a sport in which participants combine cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship. In competition biathlon is performed using skate skiing technique and 22-caliber rifles. Participants skate a ski loop, fire five rounds at a biathlon target and head off again around the ski loop.

We are very excited to welcome the Washington Biathlon Association back to Stevens Pass!  Come enjoy these competitive events as a spectator or join in the fun by taking a Biathlon safety course through the WBA.

Ongoing information can be found at the Washington Biathlon Association www.washingtonbiathlon.org.