Looming high above the horizon to the east, standing tall like a silent giant, Mount Rainier captivates our imaginations every day we can see it. In the summer, the mountain we know and love is visited often as a destination for day hikes and backpacking trips in some of the prettiest wilderness scenery in America. As the weather changes from the sunny wonderland that makes us smile to the endless gray and rain, we tend to forget about Mount Rainier and hole up in our homes, focusing on the Seahawks and staying warm and dry. While that is also a Pacific Northwest tradition, this winter you and your family deserve an escape to our majestic mountain. Full of snow adventures, sledding and snowshoeing, a winter trip to Mount Rainier might just become the highlight of your year.
Two hours from downtown Olympia and 5,400 feet above our sea level town, Mount Rainier’s Paradise region rests in the shadow of America’s most iconic mountain. Paradise at Mount Rainier National Park offers one of the most scenic snowplay areas in the nation, giving snow enthusiasts of all ages an exciting day on the mountain’s slopes.
Once the snow piles up, the staff at Mount Rainier opens the sledding area, which is located just above the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center. This typically occurs around mid-December, since sufficient snowpack is required to protect the meadow vegetation before the snowplay area can be opened. Lasting through mid-March, the sledding here is incredible and is the perfect way to experience winter with your family on the tallest of the Cascade mountains.
Sledding at Mount Rainier National Park is something that you will remember for your entire life. As the mountain stands tall behind you, nothing else matters except for the fun you are having sliding downhill.
Before you head up to Paradise for a day of incredible fun, keep in mind a few rules you need to follow to sled at Mount Rainier. The first is that you will have to pay for entry to the park. The cost varies depending on age, military service, or if your child is a 4th grader. Also, keep in mind that in the winter, chains are required in all cars and trucks; this includes four-wheel drive vehicles. Also, sledding is allowed ONLY in designated snowplay areas around Paradise due to dangers in other locations. Sledders are required to use only “soft” sliding devices: flexible sleds, inner tubes, and saucers. Do not bring a hard toboggan or your rustic runner sled as these are not allowed for safety reasons.
Weather can also play a factor in your Mount Rainier sledding adventure. The sledding area is typically open daily, but inclement weather can restrict access to Paradise at any time. Before leaving, make sure to check Mount Rainier’s Twitter feed for the latest road conditions and restrictions. Be aware that sledding is not permitted anywhere else in the park, due to trees, tree wells, cliffs and avalanche danger. This is not a ski resort; this is sledding on the remote slopes of one of the tallest mountains in America.
Enjoying the snow at Mount Rainier can be a life-long family adventure. While the lowlands get enough snow to sled on hills once or twice a decade, Mount Rainier is a sledding destination every year. Thanks to the combination of high elevation and exposure to incoming storms, Mount Rainier is an amazing place to explore snow drifts and witness the incredible power of winter in the Pacific Northwest.
Mount Rainier’s winter activities aren’t limited to just the sledding area. Those inclined to try something a bit different will enjoy the family-friendly snowshoe walks led by National Park rangers.
These ranger-led snowshoe hikes last about two hours and will have you hiking a little over a mile and a half. Due to the distance and the liability, the guided hikes are only open to hikers eight-years-old and up. If you are interested in one of the awesome ranger-led adventures, remember they are only open to the first 25 individuals, so arrive early and sign up at the information desk in the Jackson Visitor Center. To participate in the ranger-led snowshoe hikes, you don’t even need your own snowshoes! Snowshoes are provided by the park with a suggested $14 donation for each participant. If you would enjoy hiking at your own pace with your family, snowshoes can be rented outside the park and at the Longmire General Store. And you can always bring your own pair, if you have them.
Keep in mind that on weekends after heavy snowfall, the snowplay park at Paradise can become quite busy. Don’t let this deter you, though; rangers are present to help the flow on the sledding hills and keep everyone safe. Sledding at Paradise is where many of us have our earliest sledding memories and many adults continue to return each year, rekindling the childlike glee we felt during the snowy winter days of our youth.
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and the surrounding area, visit our complete event calendar.
