2017/2018 Methow Valley Winter Guide

WINTER

FREE

17 18

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

ACTIVITIES A supplement to the M ETHOW VALLEY N EWS

VISITOR

INFORMATION

Best Brokers

In The Methow!

Friendly, family service providing...

SKI & SNOWBOARD RENTAL & SALES We offer

DAILY & SEASON RENTALS Dave Thomsen

Brian Colin

Ina Clark

DOWNHILL, CROSS COUNTRY, SNOWSHOE AND ICE SKATE RENTALS

10 off

$ Carol K Johnson

509-996-2121

Frank Kline

Kathy Curtiss

CBWinthrop.com

complete

SKI or SNOWBOARD RENTAL

Obermeyer for kids & adults NEW THIS YEAR: Dalbello ski boots Völkl skis Retail cross country Madshus cross country skis

(509) 846-5076 louploupskishop.com Hank’s Market Complex, Twisp

Withover over4545years yearsofofexperience, experience,thetheMackie Mackiefamily, family,Ron, Ron,Kim, Kim, With Dustin & Sarah adventure!

Dustin & Sarah will will outfitoutfit youyou for for youryour snowsnow adventure!

Down-home riverfront luxury in the heart of the Methow Valley.

Cozy SuitesCozy • Fireplaces • Full Kitchens • Deep• Soaker Tubs Tubs • WIFI • Close Suites • Fireplaces • Full Kitchens Deep Soaker • Free Wifi to Dining & Entertainment • Separate, Pet-Friendly Suites • RV & Snowmobile Parking Live Entertainment on Weekends • Separate, Pet-Friendly Suites • RV & Snowmobile Parking

free gourmet breakfast included, smiles guaranteed gourmet breakfast included, smiles guaranteed 855.784.8328 | TwispRiverSuites.com | 509.997.0100 | 140 W. Twisp Ave.

The place to be

It’s easy to see yourself spending time in the Methow Vallehy. PHOTO

BY STEVE MITCHELL

If you love the Methow Valley, you will love its winter.

There’s no disputing the valley’s beauty under a mantle of fresh snow. But it’s not just a postcard experience. The Methow beckons you to get outside and do something in the winter sunshine.

And there are so many choices, for all ages and abilities. Methow Winter 2017–18 provides basic, easily accessible information about anything you might want to try — Nordic and alpine skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, fat biking, ice fishing, stargazing and more. We hope you’ll find it useful for enjoying everything the valley has to offer.

You’ll appreciate the variety of experiences. If you’ve been here before, try something new. Our

innkeepers, retailers, restaurateurs, guides, instructors, rental outlets, service providers and others are ready to take care of your every need. When they’re not working, many of them will be out there with you. Consult our Directory of Advertisers on page 34 to learn how they can help you.

Not everything is happening outside. Arts, food-and-drink, music, entertainment and educational opportunities will amply fill whatever’s left of your day. See our calendar of events on pages 32–33 for a look ahead.

Make sure you schedule enough time to enjoy all the valley has to offer. If you do, you will understand what the skier on the cover of Methow Winter 2017–18 is smiling about. 

ESCAPE TO THE FREESTONE INN &

DISCOVER THE MANY PLEASURES OF WINTER Moonshine Bar Open Wednesday-Sunday

Jack’s Hut Pizza & Brews

NOW OPEN DAILY Friday-Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday and Thursday 9am-5pm

509.996.3906 ~ 800.639.3809 ~ WWW.FREESTONEINN.COM 31 EARLY WINTERS DRIVE, MAZAMA, WASHINGTON (JUST 15 MILES WEST OF WINTHROP) 3

CONTRIBUTORS DON NELSON is publisher & editor of the Methow Valley News.

MARCY STAMPER is a Methow Valley News reporter.

ANN MCCREARY

is a Methow Valley News reporter.

ASHLEY LODATO

is a Methow Valley News columnist.

DAVID WARD

is a Methow Valley News columnist.

Don Nelson | PUBLISHER / EDITOR Darla Hussey | DESIGN Cindy Ferrieri | OFFICE MANAGER

Sheila Ward | SALES ASSOCIATE Dana Sphar | AD DESIGN / PRODUCTION

A publication of the

Methow Valley News P.O. Box 97, 502 S. Glover St., Twisp, WA 98856 509.997.7011 • fax 509.997.3277 www.methowvalleynews.com editor@methowvalleynews.com

ON THE COVER:

PHOTO BY DONNI REDDINGTON

3 6 10 12 14 16

THE PL ACE TO BE GET ROLLING ON A FAT BIKE SK ATE OUTDOORS AT THE WINTHROP RINK ALPINE SKIING AND SO MUCH MORE METHOW’S DARK SKIES PUT ON A BRILLIANT SHOW ALL WINTER SNOWMOBILING: TO THE BACK COUNTRY AND BEYOND

18 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

NORDIC SKIING IN THE HEART OF THE METHOW VALLEY GET IN GEAR FOR WINTER RECREATION SNOWSHOEING: STEP INTO WINTER WHEN YOU’RE NOT ON THE TR AIL S ...

VISITOR INFO RESTAUR ANTS C ALENDAR ADVERTISERS

PHOTO BY STEVE MITCHELL

58 Horizon Flats, Winthrop

509-996-2264

Nick Brandenburg, Sales Manager nickatnvl@gmail.com

101 Armory, Okanogan

509-422-6166

Paul Gann, Owner paulgannvalleylumber@gmail.com

w w w . n o r t h v a l l e y l u m b e r. c o m Our knowledgable and friendly sales staff can help you with:

• • • • • • •

Premium Lumber: Cedar, Pine, Fir, Oak, Ipe, Etc. Wood & Gas Stoves Doors & Windows Modern Roofing Materials Composite & Wood Decking Cabinets, Floor Coverings, & Interior Finishes Boom & Forklift Truck Service

Get rolling on a fat bike

D

PHOTO BY STEVE MITCHELL 6

ashing through the snow on two fat tires is becoming more and more popular in the Methow Valley, where fat bike riding opportunities have ballooned in recent years to meet the demand.

Fat biking is just plain fun. The wide tires, inflated at low pressure, allow fat bikes to roll over soft, slippery surfaces like snow. Enthusiasts say riding a fat bike feels like floating.

Cyclists who can’t stand to put away their bikes in winter find fat biking a great way to make riding a year-round sport. And Nordic skiers have discovered that fat bike riding is a good way to cross-train and get out on snow when conditions aren’t optimal for skiing. No waxing required.

Methow Trails, the organization that grooms 120 miles of ski trails, tapped into the fat bike craze several years ago, and now offers about 22 miles of trails that are open to fat bikes. A group of local fat bike enthusiasts, organized under the name “Methow Fatbike,” also promotes fat biking in the valley, grooming about 15 miles of fat bike trails outside of the Methow Trails system.

Methow Fatbike also hosts events for fat bikers, including weekly evening rides and an annual gathering that draws fat bikers from throughout the Northwest.

Part of the appeal of fat biking is that it doesn’t require a lot of technical skills and is fun for beginners and experienced riders alike. Steve Mitchell, owner of Rocking Horse Bakery and a longtime fat bike fan, said kids are often successful as beginners because they are light and don’t sink into the snow. That’s one of the reasons that fat biking is a popular family sport.

With plenty of groomed trails for fat bikes, varied terrain and spectacular scenery, the Methow Valley is a perfect place to pedal through winter. 

FUN FAT BIKE EVENTS IN THE METHOW VALLEY Weekly Wednesday night “Fat & Fire” Join other fat tire enthusiasts for Fat & Fire, a group ride and bonfire every Wednesday night in winter. Meet at 6 p.m. at the Pearrygin Lake State Park West Campground Trailhead with your fat bike and a good light for an evening ride. After the ride, throw something on the propane grill for dinner and warm yourself around the bonfire. Fat & Fire

is free but a parking pass is required.

Annual Northwest fat bike meetup, Jan. 13–14, 2018 Fat bikers from all over the Northwest and beyond convene in the valley for group rides, night rides, fun and friends. Information is available on the Northwest Fat Bike Facebook page, on Methow Fatbike Facebook or Methow Cycle & Sports website events listings.

Find fat bike trails at several areas around the valley. PHOTO BY STEVE MITCHELL

Trails in and around the valley Operated by Methow Trails: • Big Valley Ranch — 4.8 miles of easy riding along rivers and through meadows.

• Rendezvous — 7.6 miles on Gunn Ranch Road and to Grizzly Hut with panoramic views.

• Town Trailhead — 6.3 miles of gentle terrain via the Winthrop Rink or Winthrop Fish Hatchery to Bitterbrush and

Barnsley loops.

• John’s Way — 3.2 flat miles in Mazama.

Operated in partnership by Methow Fatbike volunteers, Pearrygin Lake State Park and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: • Lloyd Ranch — 5 miles of groomed fat bike trails over rolling hills with great mountain

views (see map, opposite page).

• Pearrygin Lake State Park — 10 miles of groomed multi-use trails (ski, snowshoe, fat bike), over rolling hills. Trail connects to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Land, with another 20 miles of trails and roads (see map, next page).

• Loup Loup Ski Bowl — 14 miles of multi-use trail that connects to South Summit.

Wine, Spirits & Beer

Affordable Quality Wines

A large array of quality

WINES, BEERS, & SPIRITS TWISPWORKS.ORG

WHERE PEOPLE, PLACE AND IDEAS COME TOGETHER. EXPLORE • CREATE • SHOP • GATHER

at affordable prices.

Special orders, quantity discounts, kegs, wine tastings.

Open Every Day 11am - 6pm

SPONSOR OF

502 S. GLOVER STREET – TWISP, WA 98856 509-997-3300

Downtown Winthrop 130 Riverside Ave. 7

Conditions of use

WHERE TO RENT BIKES

• Riders need to confirm trails are open for riding daily on the Methow Trails grooming report (www.methowtrails. org/winter-trails/ grooming/).

• Riders must display a trail pass when riding on groomed trails where passes are required.

• Purpose-built fat bikes only. All bikes tires

• Methow Cycle & Sport, 29 State Route 20 in Winthrop, (509) 996-3645 • Cascades Outdoor Store, 222 Riverside Ave., Winthrop, (509) 996-3480 • Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies, 50 Lost River Road, Mazama, (509) 996-2515 • North Cascades Cycle Werks, 2 Country Road, Mazama, (509) 996-2225

• Methow Trails: www.methowtrails.org • Methow Cycle & Sport: www.methowcyclesport.com • Methow Fatbike: www.facebook.com/methowfatbike • Northwest Fatbike: www.facebook.com/northwestfatbike

”

“NEW

INO F O sso PAS espre t h g i l

OPfIeA I H T E gachef ” “Yir

AW L T U O resso

AMP

EC so BAS s espre

We’re more than just a pipe store.

Monday - Saturday 8 - 5:30 Hwy 20 across from Hank’s 8

& Pellets gs o L t s e r P le Availab

Courtesy of Methow Trails

Learn more

Note: Reservations for bikes are recommended, especially on weekends and holidays

BEAUTIFUL & EFFICIENT HOME HEATING SOLUTIONS

must be wider than 3.6 inches and have pressure less than 10 psi.

No exceptions.

• Riders yield to all other users, stay out of the classic ski tracks, and give skate skiers a wide berth.

• Stay on your bike.

Footprints damage the trail.

Four coffees

esp

6

award-winning medals!

2017 World’s Largest Roasting

Competition

997-0720

lariatcoffee.com / 509-996-3371 / 6 Horizon Flats Rd; Winthrop, Wa

The scoop on passes • Pearrygin Lake State Park/Lloyd Ranch — Annual Sno-Park permit or annual Discover Pass plus daily Sno-Park permit for parking, no trail pass required.

• Lloyd Ranch — Discover Pass required

for parking, no trail pass required.

• Loup Loup Ski Bowl — $11 trail pass, free parking.

• Methow Trails — $10 daily/$50 annual trail pass, free parking.

Connecting curious seekers through live theater Community productions, Reader’s Theater, visiting artists and children’s theater programming year-round. www.mercplayhouse.org • 509.997.7529 • 101 S. Glover Street, Twisp, WA

Love this Valley Working with people to protect the land of the Methow Valley

Though groomed trails make riding easier, a thickly crusted snow can enable riders to go beyond the trail. PHOTO BY MISSI SMITH

Winthrop Barn

Auditorium The Barn, perfect for gatherings big or small

www.methowconservancy.org ~ 996-2870

Inspiring people to care for the land of the Methow Valley

Methow Conservancy

Weddings • Parties • Fundraisers Reunions • Performances • Meetings WiFi, Music System and Fully Equipped Professional Kitchen Downtown location by the Park (509) 996-2117 • www.winthropbarn.com info@winthropbarn.com

photo by Mary Kiesau

snowplowing Take the worry out of winter access!

Serving the upper Methow Valley communities of Mazama, Edelweiss and Lost River.

Jerry Palm 509-996-8178 Sign up for service on our website

www.palmconstructioninc.com 9

Skate outdoors at the Winthrop Rink

F

or decades, folks in the Methow Valley went ice skating outside the old-fashioned way — by finding an area big enough to flood and freeze when the conditions were right.

The dream of a permanent outdoor facility was realized in 2007 when the Winthrop Rink was completed, thanks to a state grant matched by local donations of money, time and materials.

But it wasn’t until the winter of 2016-17 that the final phase of the rink plan was finally completed: a permanent ice-making system was installed. That meant the rink’s operating season is no longer dependent on weather conditions, and that skaters can enjoy a smooth, consistent surface.

Now the outdoor rink is open for about four months a year, beginning

P H OTO BY D O N N E L S O N 10

in mid-November and continuing through mid-March, and operates into the winter evenings thanks to a lighting system.

That means the rink can confidently schedule a full slate of skating sessions and lessons for casual skaters, or for students who are just learning or improving, and provide drop-in sessions for hockey “rink rats” — as well as other activities including adult and youth hockey tournaments.

Skating in the open air on a bright winter day makes the Winthrop Rink a special experience. The outdoor setting, with its views of the valley, is irresistible to all kinds of skaters, and hockey players are especially appreciative.

Don’t worry if you’re not equipped for a spin round the rink. Rentals are available for those who don’t have their own skates. 

FIND IT

The rink is located just off of Twin Lakes Road behind the Methow River Lodge and Cabins. Parking is available at the rink, or at the adjacent Winthrop Town Trailhead. It is a short walk from downtown Winthrop via the Spring Creek pedestrian bridge.

CHECK IT OUT

The rink is entirely outdoors, with boards around the entire surface and transparent plastic panels around most of the surface, and has regulation National Hockey League dimensions. It is lighted for late afternoon and evening operation. Hot and cold drinks and snacks are available. There are several changing rooms for hockey teams, and an upstairs gallery with windows overlooking the ice surface.

The rink has its own ice-resurfacing machine.

WHEN TO GO

The rink opens in mid-November and operates until mid-March. Operating hours vary. Visit www. winthropicerink.com or email winthropicerink@ gmail.com for complete information about scheduled sessions and other events, as well as prices for rink time and equipment rentals. Season passes are available.

WHAT TO DO

Programs include open skating; pick-up hockey sessions (gear and helmet required) for men and women rat rinks; youth hockey for boys and girls; lessons for beginners and advanced skaters; “cheap skate” nights with reduced rates; and Friday night themed skating sessions, with half-price admission for anybody wearing a costume.

L ACE UP

Skating equipment, and some hockey gear, are available for rental.

TOURNAMENTS

For adult teams: • The Great Puckaroo Roundup, Dec. 1–3 • TechRech Winter Classic, Jan. 6–7 • The Great Puckaroo Roundup, Jan. 26–28 For youth teams: • Great Outdoors Classic, Dec. 8–10 • Great Outdoors Classic, Feb. 9–11 • Great Outdoors Classic, Feb. 23–25

SPECIAL E VENTS

• During Christmas at the End of the Road festivities on Nov. 25, the rink will feature Santa on ice, who

FATBIKE RENTALS

WHAT’S NE W?

Planned facility upgrades include more outside bleachers and protective netting for the spectators.

Also, the rink is hoping to bring in professional skaters for performances.

WHO’S WHO

Rink Manager, Connor Walsh

DID YOU KNOW?

• The popular Apple Puck game between the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars collegiate hockey teams, inaugurated last year, will be back! Date to be announced.

• Not all ice-resurfacing machines are Zambonis.

The Winthrop Rink’s machine is made by Olympia.

• Meetings and special events space is available for rental. Call (509) 996-4199.

• During the summer, the rink is open for roller skating and pickleball. 

FULL-SERVICE SKI SHOP WINTER CLOTHING & GEAR TRAIL PASSES & MAPS TOOLS, NUTRITION & MORE EASY PARKING & LOAD ZONE

OPEN DAILY 509.996.3645 29 HIGHWAY 20 WINTHROP, WASHINGTON www.methowcyclesport.com

ON TWISP BA M A

RY

AND

AND MORE

For general information, visit www.winthropicerink. com or call (509) 996-4199

KE

Nordic Ski

will skate with rink visitors and pose for pictures with the kids. Skaters can view the annual fireworks show from the rink starting at 6 p.m.

• New Year’s Eve party from 7–10 p.m.

CINN

WINTHROP RINK: the basics

Pastries & Breads

organic flours & grains

Breakfast & Lunch Sandwiches & Bagels Iced Organic Espresso, Smoothies & Shakes Sit in or Take out!

RENT & RETURN SKIS, SNOWSHOES & PULKS AT METHOW CYCLE & SPORT • MAZAMA SKI SCHOOL • SUN MTN. LODGE

Open Every Day 6am - 3pm Closed Winter Sundays

Downtown Twisp 116 N. Glover Street 509.997.5030 Free Wifi 11

Litttle Buck Mountain 5260’

jr poma

Alpine skiing and so much more

L

ooking for a challenging, family-friend alpine skiing experience without all the big resort hassles?

It’s only minutes away.

Loup Ski Bowl, on Highway 20 between Twisp and Okanogan, is a local favorite, especially for families. Loup Loup also draws people from a wider area who are looking for a multi-faceted, fun day in a breathtaking setting — and who don’t want to waste time waiting in long lift lines.

Loup Loup’s appeal doesn’t stop at downhill skiing. Snowboarding,

16. Peanut Tow

tubing, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing on adjacent trails are all part of the adventure. Take advantage of skiing lessons for all ability levels, with certified instructors (check out the special offers). Don’t have your own gear with you?

Rent whatever you need.

To start your day with a quick breakfast, or for après ski relaxation, grab a beverage and enjoy a meal at the day lodge.

The Loup is a uniquely Methow experience — highquality recreation in a lowkey atmosphere. Spread the word. 

PHOTO BY MARCY STAMPER 12

LOUP LOUP SKI BOWL: the basics FIND IT:

Located on Little Buck Mountain between Twisp and Okanogan on Highway 20 (Called Loup Loup Pass or “The Loup” by locals).

CHECK IT OUT:

• 1,240 vertical feet; 10 cut runs; highest elevation, 5,280 feet; 23 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails; 50 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails at nearby South Summit; tubing hill; terrain park.

• Quad chair lift, platter surface tow, rope tow.

• Ski school, snowboarding lessons, Nordic lessons, tubing hill, equipment rentals and repairs, day lodge with food and beverage service from breakfast through lunch with options for kids, first aid room, snowshoeing and fat biking, some designated

dog-friendly trails.

• Season passes and day passes available.

SPECIAL E VENTS

The Loup hosts several events each winter, including the Wolf Chase ski races; a slope style competition for snowboarders; and a combined, team event that includes downhill skiing, tubing, Nordic skiing and fat bike segments. Also back this season is a randonee race that involves skiing up to the top of a hill, and then back down. Check the website, skitheloup. com, for details.

WHEN TO GO:

• Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during January and February, 9 a.m.–3:45 p.m.

• Open every day during Christmas week, except Christmas Day • Open all week for President’s holiday and Martin Luther King holiday

WHO’S WHO:

Loup Loup Ski Bowl is located on Highway 20, southeast of Twisp and Winthrop.

blue

General Manager, C.P. Grosenick; ticket office manager, Junie Corrigan; ski school director, Chad Rosenstine; lessons coordinator, Mary McFaul; administration/ accounting, Sandra Strieby; mountain manager, Allen McKinney; Nordic manager, Dale Longanecker

sky

real

The Wild Wolf tubing hill at the Loup promises one thrilling ride after another.

PHOTO BY MARCY STAMPER

AND MORE:

For information about rates, rentals and snow conditions, call (509) 5573405 or visit skitheloup.com

WHAT’S NE W:

Planning is in the works for a new feature that will have wide appeal, according to General Manager C.P. Grosenick. Watch the Methow Valley News for updates.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The Loup Loup Alpine Ski Team, for local kids ages 7 and up, trains at the Loup and competes around the region.

• Loup Loup is in the middle of a long-term project to clear brush and

AT A GL ANCE: •Downhill skiing •Snowboarding •Inner tubing •Nordic skiing •Fat biking •Snowshoeing overgrowth from the areas between the ski runs.

• The annual Taste of Three Valleys dinner and auction in October raises funds to support special programs at the nonprofit ski area. 

estate

We know property on the trails! Call us for info.

w w w. M e t h o w B l u e S k y. c o m • (509) 996-8084

509-996-3113

www.winthropchalets.com info@winthropchalets.com 13

Methow’s dark skies put on a brilliant show all winter

PHOTO BY STEVE MITCHELL

By David Ward

W

hile here in the Methow Valley on your winter vacation, be sure to make a quick dash outside after sunset to check out the stars.

The night sky is dark here, and unlike Seattle you will be able to see a lot more than just the bright ones. Be sure to get away from distracting lights, particularly those annoying Christmas lights. The subtleties of the night sky cannot compete with a lit-up version of an 8-foot tall Frosty the Snowman.

One of the easiest constellations to see up there is Orion, the hunter, and his friends. Early in the winter, look for him rising in the east on his side. Later he will be standing upright, tall and proud in the south.

If you are unfamiliar with Orion, look for three bright stars, evenly

spaced, all in a row. They represent his belt, and there is nothing else in the sky quite like it. Then look for four stars making a large rectangle around the belt. Did you know that stars have different colors? Check out the one at the upper left. It is noticeably red while the star at the bottom right is blue-white.

The red one has a strange name, Betelgeuse, and it means “shoulder of the giant.” It is a huge star, much larger than our modest-sized sun. Rigel is the bluewhite star below and it is a super-hot, bright star shining tens of thousands of times brighter than our sun.

Orion has a couple of hunting dogs with him. The larger one is easy to find. Just line up the three stars of the belt and point down and to the left to find the very bright star Sirius. If you use your imagination, you can almost make out a faint dog out of the dimmer

stars nearby. Good luck!

Above and to the west of Orion, a small “V” of dim stars with one bright one form Taurus, the bull. The hunter is usually depicted battling this beast, which does not appear to be nearly as big as him.

Just west of Taurus is a little grouping of dimmer stars that is everyone’s favorite, the Pleiades star cluster. They were the beautiful Seven Sisters and were Orion’s girlfriends, but in his dreams only. He chased them all over ancient Greece and chases them still from east to west across the sky, but never catches them.

DEEP E XPLOR ATION

Winter nights are often clearer and darker than summer nights because the cold air is heavy and steady, allowing us to see even further into the night sky. If there is no moon to drown out

the fainter objects, you might want to try going deeper into the night sky.

Look below Orion’s belt for three dimmer stars. Does one of them look a little fuzzy? Check it out with binoculars to be sure. That is the Orion Nebula, a vast cloud of gas thousands of times bigger than our solar system.

Did you know you can see the Milky Way in the winter? It is not as bright as in the summer, but look for a faint glow of light stretching from north to south overhead in the late winter. That is the glow of billions of stars in the galaxy we call home.

Feel like you want more of a challenge? Then look for an entirely different galaxy out at the limit of what the naked eye can see. High up in the north, find the “W” of the constellation Cassiopeia. Then look about one “W” width to the south. It is going to be up overhead so you might want to Back on the field

Another ‘first day’

Mountain Lions drop home opener to Brewster

MV Community School classes start this week

Methow Valley News

SPORTS Page B1

YOUR LIFESTYLE. YOUR ADVENTURES. YOUR MEMORIES.

STORY Page B4

PUBLISHED WEEKLY SINCE 1903

TWISP, WASHINGTON

VOL. 114 NO. 18

WWW.METHOWVALLEYNEWS.COM

Fight against ski resort launched broader agenda

By Ann McCreary

For many Methow Valley residents, the battle fought over a downhill ski resort in Mazama is a distant memory, or was over before they moved here.

Tell our advertisers you saw them here!

But lessons learned during that conflict still guide the Methow Valley Citizens Council (MVCC), created four decades ago to lead the fight against the proposed Early Winters ski area.

“Forty years is a long time,” said Maggie Coon, who helped found MVCC in 1976, and has been involved in the organization for 15 of its 40 years, including her current position as chairman of the MVCC board of directors.

“MVCC has had significant influ-

ence on the way the Methow Valley has grown and developed over the last 40 years. We’ve helped … instill a culture of advocacy, which is very much alive and well in the Methow Valley today,” Coon said.

One of those early environmental advocates was Isabelle Spohn, who learned about plans for a destination ski hill at Sandy Butte soon after moving to Mazama in 1978. Spohn became involved in the new grassroots

group fighting the resort, and remained actively involved for 35 years.

“It seemed to me that many people [in the valley] hadn’t seen that kind of [development] happen before, and didn’t understand how quickly something like that could happen,” Spohn said.

“It had the possibility of having an enormous impact on the valley. It was so out of scale for the valley,” she said.

Even before MVCC was officially incorporated in 1976, some local citi-

See MVCC, A1

evidence of water on Ceres

By Ann McCreary

Outdoor adventure & lifestyle shots.

Capturing experiences with family & friends.

Photo by Marcy Stamper

Emily Paul put her pig, Darwin, on a diet to be sure it qualifies for the market auction. A high school junior, Paul said raising pigs for the fair has made a big difference in her college fund. In addition to the pig, she plans to exhibit homemade caramels.

14

$1

zens were raising alarms about rumors that Aspen Ski Corp. was making plans for a destination ski resort called Early Winters that could accommodate as many as 10,000 skiers a day — at a time when the entire population of the valley was only about 3,500 year-round residents.

Bev and Jeff Zwar had recently moved to McFarland Creek when they

THESE BIG PIGS WENT TO M ARKET Bear Fight scientist discovers Vital information transmitted by Dawn mission spacecraft

DONNIREDDINGTON.COM 509-860-4771

SEPTEMBER 7, 2016

MV Citizens Council celebrates 40 years of activism

Local 4-H swine raisers look forward to county fair, auction

By Marcy Stamper

Cody Wottlin wrapped his shoelaces in duct tape because his pig Schnizel finds them so irresistible.

But nibbling on the shoelaces is just for entertainment, said Wottlin, since Schnizel (formally known as Frederick Esquire III) is hardly lacking for nourishment. In fact, this year several of the pigs being raised by the Methow Valley Cascaders 4-H Club are on diets because they’re already nearing the maximum weight to be auctioned at the Okanogan County Fair.

(Pigs need to be between 230 and 290 pounds to qualify for the market auction at the fair.)

McKenna Ott is dealing with the opposite problem — she’s raising a pig from a late litter and it may not weigh enough for the auction.

“You never know till you show up — as soon as you cross the scales,

Friday night light

there’s no turning back,” said Erin White, the 4-H swine leader.

Every year there are a few pigs that don’t qualify for the weight class.

“Kids are devastated, but the parents are a lot more devastated,” said White.

“It’s hard to watch the kid put in all that work.”

If a pig is over or underweight, the child can still compete in fitting and showing, but will have to sell the animal privately, which rarely brings as much money as the auction at the fair.

“It was a cake-walk with these pigs — you could go right up to them from two months,” said Wottlin, an eighth-grader who speculated that the pigs he and his brother raised this year were so calm because they’d been handled from birth. “They’re pretty goodlooking, too,” he said.

Learning experience

Methow Valley kids expect to bring some 6,000 pounds of pork to the county fair this year — 22 kids have spent the past six months raising pigs.

“Kids tell their friends how fun it was, so lots join,” said White.

It is not uncommon for kids to sell a

pig at auction for $4 or $5 per pound, and some have scored as much as $7 per pound, earning more than $1,000 to put toward a college fund or a car.

The fair guarantees a price of 60 cents per pound, but that doesn’t come close to covering the typical $500 investment in the pig, food and supplies.

Emily and Bodie Paul like pigs for their generally equable disposition and the ability to earn money for college.

Their older brother raised steers, but steers demand a longer commitment and a bigger investment. They also tend to have less predictable personalities, said Emily, a junior in high school. She remembered one steer that was so gentle that her brother could read a book while lying on its back, but other steers would attack everything in sight, including the fence.

4-H exposes kids to a lot more than raising an animal. “It’s part of life — they learn that even if they feed the animals every day and do everything they’re supposed to do,” sometimes it just doesn’t work out, said See FAIR, A3

A scientist at the Bear Fight Institute near Winthrop has described the first and only confirmed detection of water-rich material at the surface of Ceres, a dwarf planet in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Jean-Philippe Combe authored a research article published Friday (Sept. 2) in the journal Science, detailing the discovery of water ice on Ceres.

Information leading to Combe’s discovery was transmitted by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft, which is orbiting Ceres.

The detection of water ice on Ceres is inherently intriguing, Combe said in an interview last week.

“Anything that involves water is very interesting and exciting. Water is an essential substance in the general evolution of any planet, and also for the creation of life, the type of life that we know anyway,” Combe said.

“Water in our solar system is potentially related to creation of life. You have to start with detection of H20 to go further,” he said.

“I don’t know if people are making a fuss, although I have seen more people than in a long time,” said Enid Shaw, just over a week shy of her 100th birthday.

“It’s a lot of attention — that’s all I can tell you.”

Enid Pauline Gobat was born in Pateros on Sept. 16, 1916, and grew up there,

A surprise

Finding the water ice on the surface was surprising, Combe said.

The water ice was detected using a Visible and InfraRed Mapping Spectrometer (VIR) carried aboard the Dawn spacecraft, which began orbiting Ceres in March 2015.

The VIR measures the sunlight scattered on the surface of Ceres in a range of wavelengths from the near ultraviolet to the near infrared. Data obtained through VIR reveals mineral and molecular composition, and in this case revealed the presence of water.

The water ice was observed in a 10-kilometer-wide crater named Oxo. See CERES, A3

Photo courtesy of Bear Fight Institute Jean-Philippe Combe of the Bear Fight Institute near Winthrop has identified the presence of water ice on the dwarf planet, Ceres.

At 100, Enid Shaw reflects on a Methow Valley life well-lived

By Marcy Stamper

That’s not to imply that Ceres provides any indication of supporting life, Combe said. Of interest, though, is the presence of the water ice on the surface of Ceres, Combe said.

Planetary scientists have long suspected that the interior of Ceres is composed of large amounts of water or ice, Combe said.

“We knew that from the measurements of density of Ceres there has to be some ice in the bulk of Ceres. It is not dense enough to be made entirely of rocks. The obvious component was ice,” he said.

when she was in her early 20s, after studying typing and commercial subjects in Spokane. She married Roy Richard Shaw (known as “Dick”) in 1937.

They raised their five children in a rudimentary two-room cottage that had once served as a teacher’s residence at the old Beaver Creek schoolhouse. They used to carry water up from the creek in 10-gallon cream cans. “It was a hill to

lie back in a lounge chair. If you spot a faint little smudge of light up there, congratulations, you have found the Andromeda Galaxy. Unless you have been looking through telescopes a lot, that is the biggest and the most-distant object you have ever seen.

Coming closer to home, the planets are right next door compared to these deep sky wonders. Jupiter will be rising in the east before sunrise and will be easier to see as winter progresses. It will be the brightest thing out there and hard to miss if you can see low in the east. The other planets are too close to the sun to be easily seen this winter.

If you want to spot something much closer, keep an eye out for the International Space Station. It will look like a very bright star moving rapidly from west to east across the sky. If, you see a blinking light on it, it is an airplane.

Go online for times and dates when it is visible.

If you are feeling cold out there under the stars, keep in mind that on Jan. 2, our little orb will be at its closest to the sun. Maybe that thought will warm you up a bit. 

PLAYGROUND YEAR-ROUND!

MAZAMA COUNTRY INN

Sixknot Taphouse “From Tree ToTAP” Tap” “FROM TREE TO

Our farm rest onofthe Our farm andand ciderycidery rest on the banks the Methow River south of Twisp where we have been banks of the Methow River south growing fruit and making cider for 15 years. of Twisp we have been And now wewhere have a taphouse on the bank of the Chewuck River in Winthrop. growing fruit and making cider fortaphouse 15 years.

And weourhave Our allows us tonow present award winning organic ciders, localbank and regional craft a taphouse on the of the beer, local wines and Sixknot blends, Chewuck in Winthrop. kombucha, River house made root beer, and even nitro coffee,

p

Easy Online Reservation System Hot Tub & Sauna Trails Out Your Door Winter Rates Include Meals Free Wi-Fi Cabins Rooms for Every Budget

p

p

p

800-843-7951 for room, cabin or restaurant reservations mazamacountryinn.com

Our taphouse allows us to present 42 TAPS IN ALL our award winning organic ciders, with a small plate menu based on local farms, processors and fisherfolk. local and regional craft beer, local wines and Sixknot blends, And then there is Sixknot Stage, with live kombucha, house throughout made root beer, music most weekends the year.

Comenitro join us! and even coffee, ~ 42 TAPS IN ALL ~ FALL HOURS:

with a smallThursday plate 4-9 menu based Fridayprocessors 4-10 on local farms, and Saturday 4-10 fiSunday sherfolk.

4-9 HAPPY HOUR: 4-6 is And then there $1 off any pour

SIXKNOT STAGE,

Winthrop, WA with231 liveRiverside musicAve. most weekends Phone: 509 996-3862 throughout the year. www.sixknotcider.com

Come join us!

HWY 20 AT LOUP LOUP PASS ◆ WASHINGTON ◆ 5,250’ ELEVATION

WINTER HOURS: Wednesday & Thursday 4-9 Friday & Saturday 4-10 Sunday 4-9 HAPPY HOUR: 4-6 $1 off any pour

COPORATE EVENTS ◆ PARTIES ◆ SKI ◆ SNOWBOARD ◆ X-C |◆ TUBING ◆| FUN!

Established 1958 Quad Chair Lift | Rental Shop Repairs | Ski School | Tubing Hill Terrain Park | Snowshoeing Day Lodge | Restaurant Doggie Trails | Fat Biking BYOB Families Welcome | No Lines

www.skitheloup.com for conditions & pricing 509-997-3405 509-557-3401 conditions

info

Operated by Loup Loup Ski Edu. Foundation a 501c3 not-for-profit org. by permit from Okanogan Natl. Forest

231 Riverside Ave. Winthrop, WA Phone: 509 996-3862 www.sixknotcider.com

to the

Methow Valley News In county $33/year Out of county $44/year Out of state $55/year

(509) 997-7011

www.methowvalleynews.com 15

Snowmobiling options abound in the Methow Valley. PHOTO BY DOLLY STAHL

To the back country and beyond

W

ant to enjoy expansive views, travel through meadows blanketed with snow, or just spend a day with friends in the backcountry? With 177 miles of groomed snowmobile trails from five Sno-Parks in the Methow Valley, you can do all that — and more, by connecting with routes to Conconully or Chelan for a lunch stop.

Snowmobiling not only provides a chance to take in glorious highmountain scenery in different parts of the valley and the Okanogan, but it’s also becoming increasingly popular with skiers and snowshoers as a way to get to further off the beaten track.

Backcountry skiers often head up the North Cascades Highway by sled, and then strap on their skis and climbing skins to get up to powder-filled bowls.

Snowshoers also use snow machines to increase their options in the high country.

Like skiers, snowmobilers prize fresh powder. “It gives you that weightless, floating feeling,” said Craig 16

Stahl, president of the snowmobile association.

But attaining that floating feeling takes the right equipment — and technique — so that you don’t get bogged down. Newer snow machines and considerable skill are key to handling these conditions. “Getting unstuck can be an art,” said Stahl. “It’s all about balance, throttle control and the conditions of the snow.”

Another plus: On those days where an inversion keeps a low cloud cover over the valley, snowmobilers can quickly gain 2,000 vertical feet and be riding in spectacular sunshine.

You can explore on your own, or get to know local trails and other sled enthusiasts by joining a weekly ride with the Methow Valley Snowmobile Association. The club’s rides take you to designated backcountry areas to play on the hills and always include a chuck wagon lunch. Club rides are open to everyone, and are a good way for lessexperienced riders to team up with others. Riders typically set out in small

groups from the Sno-Park.

Snowmobiling can also be a family affair — some sleds are built for two people. You can also pull kids in a special sled behind the snowmobile on gentle terrain. And Washington State Parks’ winter recreation program offers safety-certification courses so kids 12 to 16 can ride on their own.

The snowmobile association maintains two warming huts — one near Sweetgrass Butte and the other in Blackpine Basin, between the Goat Creek and Yellowjacket SnoParks — equipped with a wood stove and basic emergency supplies.

The local Mountain Trails Grooming Association grooms three times a week, generally on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, although the schedule can change if conditions warrant. Groomers based in Okanogan groom from the North Summit Sno-Park at the Loup (providing connections to Conconully), and a Chelan club grooms from the Gold Creek Sno-Park, so you can link to trails in the Chelan network.

WHERE TO GO:

• Eightmile Sno-Park (Chewuch) • Boulder Creek Sno-Park (Chewuch) • Goat Creek Sno-Park (Mazama) • Yellowjacket Sno-Park (Lost River) • Twisp River Sno-Park (Twisp River/ Buttermilk) • North Summit, Loup Loup (motorized state Sno-Park permit required) • North Cascades Highway to Cutthroat Lake Road (no Sno-Park; groomed by local club) • Grooming info: mountaintrailsgrooming.blogspot.com

GET IN VOLV ED:

The Methow Valley Snowmobile Association organizes weekly club rides (alternating on Saturday and Sunday), from Dec. 10 through March 24 (see mvsnowmobile.blogspot.com).

Membership: family, $20/year; individual, $15/year The association meets the third Tuesday of each month from October to March at the Methow Valley Senior Center in Twisp. Potluck is at 6 p.m.;

meeting starts at 6:45 p.m. For more information, contact methowsnowmobilers@gmail.com.

WHAT TO BRING

• extra warm and waterproof clothing • extra water and food in case you end up being out overnight • basic survival gear and first-aid equipment • emergency blanket • a way to build a fire

SAFET Y GUIDELINES FOR AVAL ANCHE COUNTRY • Carry an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and know how to use them.

• Get the forecast and consider current avalanche and weather conditions when planning your ride.

• Cross avalanche slopes one at a time, and don’t gather in run-out zones.

• Look for signs of recent avalanche activity, which indicates snow is unstable.

• Take an avalanche course.

• Snowmobile Safety Certification

Course (for ages 12 to 16): call (360) 902-8684

RENTAL S

The Methow Valley is a beautiful place, but don’t take it home on your car!

• Touchless automatic with undercarriage wash • Dryers available on top-end washes • Self-service bay • Two vacuums w/carpet cleaners Clean the sled before you go!

Chewack River Guest Ranch: (509) 996-2497

SPECIAL E V ENTS

Washington State Snowmobile Association (WSSA) Winter Rendezvous, Presidents’ Day weekend (Feb. 16–19) at the 12 Tribes Casino in Omak.

Four days of riding for all levels and abilities. Must be WSSA member ($25 dues) and preregister. More info at www.wssa.us.

KING’S PACIFIC PRIDE & CAR WASH Precision Exhaust & Custom Tires South of Twisp on Hwy 20 • (509) 997-2513 • kingstire.biz • Use cash or Pride Card

BUY A SNO - PARK PERMIT:

Available online through Washington State Parks at parks.state.wa.us (under Passes & Permits, and then Permits). Also available through these local vendors: • Pardners Mini Market, Winthrop • Winthrop Mountain Sports • Hank’s Harvest Foods, Twisp • Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies, Mazama • Loup Loup Ski Bowl 

th

lley a V ow

’s

y r t n ou c k c Ba p

Me e h T

o h S i Sk

5 0 9 - 9 9 6 - 2 5 1 5 • O P E N D A I LY goatsbeardmountainsupplies.com ACROSS THE COURTYARD FROM THE MAZAMA STORE

at 50 Lost River Road

rices est p Low ound! ar

THE OUTDOORSMAN Everything you need for Winter Fun!

Experience Mazama in the Winter.

509.996.2040

Furnished Rooms and Cabins • Ski Rental Next Door • Hot Tub

www.mazamaranchhouse.com

• Kamik Boots • Carhartt • Snowshoes • Warm Gloves

DOWNTOWN WINTHROP 996-2649 www.theoutdoorsmanstore.net

17

Nordic skiing in the heart of the Methow Valley

T

he Methow Valley is known as a Nordic skier’s paradise for good reason. It’s not just the unprecedented number of groomed kilometers available, nor the access to terrain flat, rolling, and hilly. It’s more than the sweeping vistas and

the glittering ribbon of trail winding through fields and forests. It’s the idea that as you explore the trails in and around the Methow Valley, you’re taking hold of a landscape making it your own. Once you’ve skied in this special place, the Methow Valley becomes a part of you. 

PHOTO BY STEVE MITCHELL 18

NORDIC SKIING: the basics KE Y PL AYER S

Loup Loup Ski Bowl, a community nonprofit ski hill, offers nearly 75 kilometers of groomed Nordic trails near Loup Loup Pass. www.skitheloup. com/nordic-skiing, (509) 557-3401.

Methow Trails, a 41-year-old recreation-focused nonprofit organization that establishes and maintains more than 200 kilometers of trail from Mazama to Winthrop. www. methowtrails.org, (509) 996-3287.

FIND TR AIL S

There are five major trailheads for access to Nordic skiing in the Methow Valley; three of them are linked.

The Methow Trails system comprises three main areas, all connected by the 30K Methow Community Trail, which stretches from Winthrop to Mazama with spurs up to Sun Mountain and out to Wilson Ranch and Early Winters Creek. The Sun Mountain and Rendezvous areas are the highest and

thus tend to be open earliest (often by Thanksgiving) and stay groomed the longest (through April 1 in good snow years).

COMMUNITY TRAIL. The 30K Methow Community Trail (MCT) is the most easily accessed section of trail in the system. Ski moderate terrain through sunny fields or undertake a fun point-to-point ski with some hill climbing in between Mazama and Winthrop.

SUN MOUNTAIN. The Sun Mountain trails offer varied terrain, with everything from sustained hill climbs to some relatively flat loops. A warming hut at the Chickadee Trailhead makes starting in this area quite comfortable.

RENDEZVOUS. If you like hills, you’ll want to hit the Rendezvous, accessible from Cub Creek, Mazama, and the Gunn Ranch Road. This area has a backcountry feel, even when you’re no more than a few kilometers from a trailhead.

gear for all seasons . . . whatever your sport

Full Service XC & BC Ski Shop XC & BC Ski Rentals open 7 days a week

257 Riverside Ave in Winthrop 509.996.2886

winthropmountainsports.com 19

The Loup Loup Pass area offers two Nordic options: Bear Mountain and South Summit.

SOUTH SUMMIT. Located 12 miles east of Twisp, this area features 50K of trails with some dog-friendly options.

BEAR MOUNTAIN. Accessed by the same parking lot as Loup Loup’s alpine hill, Bear Mountain offers hilly terrain with sweeping views from the higher reaches. If your time and stamina allow, climb Gabion for stunning views, traverse on Eclipse, and complete the loop by descending on Bear Mountain Loop.

CHECK IT OUT

• 200+ kilometers of groomed Nordic ski trails in the Methow Trails system. Methow Trails grooms more than 25,000 kilometers annually.

• 75 kilometers of trails groomed weekly in the Loup Loup area.

• Daily grooming report and grooming app. Visit www. methowtrails.org/winter-trails to find download link.

• Peaceful, uncrowded conditions on trails freshly groomed for both skate and classic skiing

• Kids 17 and under ski free every day.

• Warming huts at convenient locations along the trail system.

• Ski rentals and lessons. Learn to ski or improve your technique through private or group instruction.

Purchase new equipment or test drive cutting-edge gear.

• Almost 30 kilometers of dogfriendly trails. Those passionate about canines and skinny skis will love the chance to bring their dogs out on the trails where they’re allowed.

• Adaptive skiing options.

Adaptive Nordic skiing on a sit ski allows those with long-term physical disabilities as well as those recovering from knee or hip replacements to enjoy the magic of Nordic skiing.

Methow Trails has two adult sit skis available for loan in Winthrop and Mazama. With advance notice, they can frequently provide trained volunteer support as well.

SPECIAL E V ENTS

Methow Trails hosts numerous

events in the winter, ranging from races as competitive as the Methow Valley Pursuit — with two 30K loppets and a family-friendly 10K loppet — to those as wild and wacky as the Doggy Dash, where costumed humans and canines battle it out in the 6-legged race. Check Methow Trails’ events page for details at www.methowtrails.org/events.

Methow Valley Nordic presents several events, including the Methow Valley Ski Camp at Sun Mountain in December and the Lee Adams Tour of the Methow, which gives skiers the choice of 20K, 30K, 50K, and 80K stretches of trail in a non-competitive environment. Visit Methow Valley Nordic’s events page for details at www.methowvalleynordic.com/events.

Cascade Endurance offers and annual women’s ski and yoga retreat.

More information is available at www. cascadeendurance.com/eventsintro.

WHEN TO GO

From the moment the snow flies until the day it all melts. Methow Trails begins rolling trails with the first snowfall and can groom with heavy

equipment as soon as there are 6 inches on the ground. Depending on conditions in the spring, they often groom through April 1. Nordic trails in the Loup Loup area are typically groomed on Thursdays and Fridays.

Some of the best skiing conditions can be found after President’s Day weekend, which is when many visitors stop traveling to the valley. Sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, fast conditions.

Methow Trails routes are open from dawn ’til dusk and no one will frown upon a night ski as long as you stay out of the way of the groomers.

WHO’S WHO

Methow Trails: Executive Director James DeSalvo; Office Manager Paula Christen; Trails Manager Jon Albright; Marketing Director Kristen Smith; Partnerships Manager Adrienne Schaefer; Equipment Manager Ed Stockard; Trails Technician Michael Taylor; Groomers (at press time) John Lindsey, Mike Pruett, Tracy Ross, Hank Schuler, Torre Stockard, Steve Taylor, Jake Valentine.

FIBERGLASS INSULATION GARAGE DOORS SEAMLESS GUTTERS SPRAY FOAM INSULATION

•

INSTALLED SALES

Installed Insulation

W eddings R eunions M eetings B irthdays

Installed Garage Doors

•

•

Installed Spray Foam

•

2 Spacious Dining Areas • Large Kitchen • Plenty of Parking • Private Dressing Rooms • Large Doors to Exterior • All Inclusive with Tables, Chairs & Place Settings

M ETHOW V ALLEY ’ S P IPESTONE C ANYON R ANCH (509) 997-9394 facebook.com/Pipestone-Canyon-Ranch pipestonecanyonranch@gmail.com

20

Installed Seamless Gutters

ALL VALLEY INSULATION Bonded Certified Insured

132 Clarkson Mill Road Tonasket, WA 98855

(509) 486-2624

Licensed ALLVAVI945DC

For All Your Insulation Needs ALL VALLEY INSULATION in Tonasket, WA serves customers in the greater Okanogan and Methow Valley and beyond.

We specialize in insulation for new

INSIDER INFO

• Canadian visitors to the Methow Trails system ski at par (Canadian dollars are on par with U.S. dollars).

• On Saturdays in January and February a free ski shuttle transports skiers to the Brown’s Farm and Mazama trailheads.

• The Rendezvous Huts (www.rendezvous huts.com) offers a Europeanstyle front-country skiing experience, accessed from the Cub Creek, Gunn

Ranch and Mazama trailheads. Ski all day, cozy up to the wood stove with a book for the evening.

• “StorySki” panels illustrated by lcoaql author/artist Erik Brooks usher young skiers down the trail. Located at Chickadee, Winthrop Town, and Mazama trailheads.

• The Methow Valley is likely to field three members of the US Ski Team in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. 

Wed thru Mon open at 12 pm Closed Tuesdays Happy Hour weekdays 2 - 5 pm methowcider.com / (509) 341-4354 28 Highway 20, Winthrop

Award winning ciders, beer & wine Family, vegan, & GF friendly menu Artisan sausages & homemade soups Big screen TV for sports & movies Live music weekends

A WINTER WONDERLAND

Skijoring is one way to enjoy cross country skiing with your canine companion. PHOTO BY MARCY STAMPER

PATEROS WWW.PATEROS.COM

509-923-2571 snowmobiling  skiing fishing  hunting lodging  dining  shopping

Over 175 miles of groomed trails Club rides every weekend Campfire and lunch provided Come Ride with us!!

Check us out at: mvsnowmobile.blogspot.com facebook.com/methowvalleysnowmobile

LaFonda Lopez Restaurant

Authentic Mexican Menu

S PLU PASTAS, CURRIES, HAMBURGERS, STEAKS, SALADS & DESSERTS

Lunch • Dinner • Beer • Wine • Margaritas 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day • Daily Specials Dine In or Take Out • Across from Twisp Chevron

Moving to our new, larger location in December!

102 Hwy 20, Twisp 997-0247 • Hwy 20 • www.lafondalopez.com

21

Get in gear for winter recreation

W

inter sports require specialized equipment.

If you didn’t bring it, you can probably rent it in the Methow Valley. Here’s where to find the goods.

WINTHROP METHOW TRAILS. www.methowtrails.org, (509) 996-3287 Methow Trails does not rent gear, but it does maintain the valley’s 120 miles (200-plus kilometers) of groomed cross country ski trails. Go to its website or visit the office at 309 Riverside Ave. in Winthrop for information and maps on all winter recreational activities.

METHOW VALLEY SKI SCHOOL. www. methownet.com/skischool Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day Rents equipment and gives Nordic ski lessons out of three locations: The Sun Mountain Lodge activity shop, (509) 996-4735; Mazama Junction, (509) 996-3744; and Methow Cycle &

Sport in Winthrop, (509) 996-3645.

Gear may be rented at any of the three locations and returned to another. For parents who want to go farther than their little ones can ski, Methow Valley Ski School also rents pulks, an enclosed sled on skis that tows a child behind an adult skier; as well as snowshoes. Individual or group Nordic ski lessons with a certified instructor may be arranged at all three locations.

SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE ACTIVITY SHOP. www.sunmountainlodge.com, (509) 996-4735 Besides having the Methow Valley Ski School and its rental operations based out of the activity shop, Sun Mountain Lodge also offers horsedrawn sleigh rides, with or without a dinner package. Sleigh rides may be reserved by calling the activity shop.

Guided steelhead fishing trips on the Methow River may be booked at the activity shop from October-March. Fly rods may be rented by the day.

METHOW CYCLE & SPORT. methowcyclesport.com, (509) 996-3645 Open 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Rents fat bikes in every size made, for adults and kids. Bikes can be rented for four hours to four days. Helmets and hand protection for riding on cold days are also provided.

As the store is an outlet for the Methow Valley Ski School, classic and skate ski gear for adults and kids is available, as well as snowshoes and pulks. Nordic ski lessons may also be booked at the bike shop.

WINTHROP MOUNTAIN SPORTS. www. winthropmountainsports.com, (509) 996-2886 Open 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon.– Fri., and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Offers full- or half-day rentals of classic, skate, touring, and alpine touring ski packages for adults as well as classic and skate ski pack. Racing ski packages are available by reservation.

Also rents snowshoes for kids and adults, poles included, as

well as Kindershuttle and Chariot pulks — snow sleds for pulling young children behind an adult skier.

CASCADES OUTDOOR STORE. www.cascadesoutdoorstore.com, (509) 996-3480 Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas days Rents skate and waxless classic ski packages for adults and kids. For those interested in comparing several brands of skis, the demo fee is the same as the daily rental fee, and is waived if skis are purchased.

WINTHROP RINK. www.winthropicerink.com Check the website for days and hours of operation. The rink rents ice skates in all sizes and hockey sticks; helmets are provided for free. Skate sharpening is also available. Ice skating and hockey sessions, theme nights and parties run throughout the season. Adult and children’s lessons are also available.

NORDIC ULTRA-TUNE. www. nordicultratune.com, (509) 996-4145

OW H T E M E THE R

INTE

Come Enjoy The

LARGEST cross-country trail system

IN NORTH AMERICA

Winthrop Washington

METHOWTRAILS.ORG 22

W THIS

FAT BIK

Open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday Precision stone grinding or waxing.

CHEWACK RIVER GUEST RANCH. www. facebook.com/Chewack-River-GuestRanch-83874154494, (509) 996-2497 Offers half- and full-day snowmobile rentals at the ranch located six miles north of Winthrop on East Chewuch Road. Both single and double sleds are available. Snowsuits and helmets are part of the rental package. Reservations are recommended. Two-hour, fourhour and full-day guided snowmobile tours are also available.

T WISP LOUP LOUP RENTAL EQUIPMENT SHOP. www.skitheloup.com, (509) 557-3406 Open 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. every day the ski area is open Located near the day lodge at Loup Loup Ski Bowl. The shop rents full or half-day alpine ski and snowboard packages, helmets, rentals, and Nordic ski gear. Loup Loup Ski Bowl also rents inner tubes for use on its tubing

hill near the lodge. Private or group downhill ski and snowboard lessons with certified instructors are available for adults and kids by the hour.

“First-timer” specials include lift ticket, rental equipment and a onehour lesson.

LOUP LOUP SKI & SNOWBOARD SHOP. www.louploupskishop.com, (509) 846-5076; call for hours Located at 427 Highway 20 South in Twisp, next to Hank’s Harvest Foods. The shop offers full- or half-day alpine ski and snowboard packages — both of which include helmets — for kids and adults. Snowshoe rentals are also available. Classic Mountain Cabby runs a shuttle service to Loup Loup Ski Bowl from here on weekends. (See below.)

CLASSIC MOUNTAIN CABBY. jtd2014. wix.com/classicmountaincabby, (509) 996-2894 Classic Mountain Cabby provides passenger shuttle service, by appointment only, for people and their skis, snowboards, bikes and fishing gear to trailheads and ski areas through-

The Art of Mountain Living watercolors by Paula Christen

out the region. Call or check the Cabby’s website or Facebook page — Classic Mountain Cabby LLC — for further shuttle information. Office hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

MA Z AMA GOAT’S BEARD MOUNTAIN SUPPLIES. www.goatsbeardmountainsupplies.com, (509) 996-2515 Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily Located across the courtyard from the Mazama Store. Specializes in ski gear for folks who want to get off the trails and into the backcountry.

Goat’s Beard rents both alpine touring ski gear — designed for steeper

terrain — and metal-edged backcountry touring ski gear — better for traveling over rolling terrain. The store also rents avalanche airbag packs, for safety while skiing the backcountry.

The shop also rents burley ski pulks, snowshoes, and split snowboards, for climbing up and shredding back down the mountain.

JACK’S HUT. www.freestoneinn.com/jacks-hut, (509) 996-3906 ext. 356 Located at the Freestone Inn on Highway 20 west of Mazama. Jack’s Hut sells outdoor clothing and gear as well as trail passes, rents some equipment, arranges outings and also serves food and beverages.  All 996 and 997 prefixes are in the 509 area code.

SNOWMOBILE RENTALS In Snowmobiler’s Paradise!

(509) 996-2497 or (509) 341-4178 cell

Open Every Day! Ride from your door at the

Open Studios 10 am to 5 pm 447 Wister, Winthrop WA 2017

Nov. 24 & 25 Dec. 22 & 23

2018

Jan. 13 & 14 Feb. 17 & 18

appointments also available for private viewing or afternoon painting retreats 509-429-6042

www.paulachristen.com

LODGING:

Please: No Pets & No Smoking

All rentals include helmet & one-piece suit

DON & CHRIS LUNDGREN 588 E. Chewuch Road, Winthrop, WA 98862 23

Step into winter

T

here are good reasons why an activity that started thousands of years ago as a mode of transportation is now one of the fastest growing winter sports. Here are a few of them: It’s fun. Snowshoeing opens up a winter world that offers quiet solitude or a social outing.

It’s easy to learn. People say if you can walk, you can snowshoe.

Unlike skiing, the learning curve is low. Your technique will improve with experience, so strap on the shoes and start exploring.

It’s family-friendly. Since it’s an easy-to-learn sport and can be as relaxed or strenuous as you want to make it, snowshoeing is a great

activity for families.

It’s inexpensive. Required gear is snowshoes that you rent or buy, perhaps some poles, and of course warm clothes. If you decide to explore the miles of snowshoe trails maintained by Methow Trails, you’ll need a trail pass that costs $5/day. If you want to explore offtrail, it’s free.

It’s good for you. Snowshoeing provides a low-impact, aerobic exercise that helps you stay in shape during the winter. And, it poses little risk of injury.

It’s versatile. You can go easy or go hard, flat or steep. And it allows you to travel in terrain and in conditions that don’t work for skiing or walking.  PHOTO BY DONNI REDDINGTON

METHOW HOUSE WATCH Inc.

• SECURITY VISITS • PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • CLEANING • CONTRACTOR SERVICES

509-996-3332

www.methowhousewatch.com METHOHW847DT

24

SNOWSHOEING: the basics JOIN A TOUR

Whether you are new to the sport or experienced on snowshoes, you’ll enjoy a “Nature of Winter” snowshoe tour hosted by Methow Trails throughout the winter. These family-friendly tours are led by local volunteer naturalists who provide information about winter ecology, wildlife and tracks, snow science and more.

Tours begin at 11 a.m. and last 90-120 minutes, depending on conditions. A $5 Methow Trails snowshoe pass or ski pass is required. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, no reservations. Email Methow Trails at events@methowtrails.com for more information. Sponsored by Methow Trails, the U.S. Forest Service, and Atlas Snowshoes.

This year’s Nature of Winter tours take place on Saturdays, Jan. 6 – Feb. 24. Tours meet at the Sun Mountain Lodge Ski Shop and Jacks Hut at the Freestone Inn.

RENTAL S AND GE AR

• Cascades Outdoor Store, Winthrop • Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies, Mazama • Methow Cycle & Sport, Winthrop • Methow Valley Ski School & Rentals, Mazama • Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop • Winthrop Mountain Sports • The Outdoorsman, Winthrop

TR AIL S

Methow Trails offers more than 40 miles of groomed, signed snowshoe trails through varied terrain. You’ll travel through forests and meadows, beside rivers and along ridgetops. All you need is a Methow Trails snowshoe pass ($5) or ski pass, and a map of the trail system.

The trails at Pearrygin Lake and Lloyd Ranch are also open to snowshoers. For information on these options, see the fat biking article on page 6. 

usic Cascadia M W C S inter

oncer� chedule

NOVEMBER 3, 2017 KAIROS ~ MUSIC OF BRAHMS, MENDELSSOHN, BACH, BEETHOVEN Merc Playhouse, Twisp 7:00 PM NOVEMBER 24, 2017 ARIEL HOROWITZ ~ WORLD-CLASS VIOLINIST Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop 7:30 PM

DEC EMBER 12 & 13, 2017 ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT Methow Valley Community Center, Twisp 7:00 PM

JANUARY 27, 2018 JAZZ IN THE METHOW ~ NANCY ZAHN & LAURA LOVE Methow Valley Community Center, Twisp 7:00 PM MARCH 10, 2018 STEPHEN BEUS ~ WORLD-CLASS PIANIST Merc Playhouse, Twisp 7:00 PM

APRIL 11, 2018 MARC TEICHOLZ, MICHAEL PARTINGTON DUO ~ CLASSICAL GUITAR Confluence Gallery, Twisp 7:00 PM

cascadiamusic.org

25

When you’re not on the trails ...

1. GET ARTSY Find world-class art at Confluence Gallery & Art Center on Glover Street in Twisp, and at the Winthrop Gallery on Riverside Avenue. Both feature works by Methow Valley artists, and lots of gift-giving possibilities. Also, check out the artists and craftspeople on the TwispWorks campus, where studios are open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Some valley shops also display local art, notably Rocking Horse Bakery in Winthrop and Cinnamon Twisp Bakery in Twisp. Look for unique items at other boutiques and stores in Twisp and Winthrop.

2. FEEL THE WARMTH Love the idea of a big stone fireplace to gather around with a glass of wine and/or a nosh? Try the Freestone Inn and Sun Mountain Lodge lobbies, or check out the dining room at the Mazama Country Inn. Your hosts at

any of them can tell you about activities on-site or nearby.

3. BOOK IT Need something to read at the end of the day? Browse for leisure-time reading material, or sit for a while with an espresso, at Winthrop’s impressively stocked Trail’s End Bookstore on Riverside Avenue. Check out the children’s section at the back of the store, with big picture windows overlooking the river.

4. BODY WORK Get a massage, facial manicure, pedicure or other personal pampering. Try the Nectar Skin Bar and Boutique in Winthrop, or head on up to Sun Mountain Lodge for special treament in the spa. Looking for indoor exercise? Get a day pass at Winthrop Physical Therapy & Fitness and take advantage of a wide range of modern workout equipment in a pleasant environment. This is a good place to meet local folks.

5. BE ENTERTAINED Check out what’s going on at The Merc Playhouse in Twisp. Live music is on tap at many local bars and eateries — often with no cover charge — including Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Methow Valley Ciderhouse, Sixknot Taphouse, Twisp River Suites, the Branding Iron, Mick & Miki’s Red Cedar Bar, Copper Glance and The Barnyard Cinema. The Methow Valley Community Center, Winthrop Barn, Sun Mountain Lodge, Freestone Inn and Mazama Country Inn also host musical events. Check the weekly “What’s Happening” page in the Methow Valley News for the most current information.

6. NUPTUALLY SPE AKING Get married. Summer’s lovely, but winter can be a spectacular setting for nuptials. Check out the Methow Valley News “Valley Vows” publication for complete information on how to make

it happen. Look for copies around town for find the digital version on our website, www.methowvalleynews.com.

7. TALK IT OVER Enjoy a casual conversation and great coffee at Blue Star Coffee Roasters, Kind Grinds, Rocking Horse Bakery, 3 Bears Cafe & Quilts, the Mazama Store, Oliver’s Artisan Kitchen. You’ll be served blends from one or the other of the Methow Valley’s specialty coffee companies: Blue Star and Lariat Coffee Roasters in Winthrop.

8. GO ALOFT In a place with numerous magical experiences, floating above the valley in a hot air balloon ranks high on the list. You launch from Winthrop just after sunrise with the folks at Morning Glory Balloon Tours, when winds are calm and the valley seems still asleep.

And yet when you rise above the treetops you see signs of life everywhere:

a resort for all seasons

Community Apres Ski Award-Winning Craft Beer Live Music & Events www.oldschoolhousebrewery.com

OSB PUB

509.996.3183 155 Riverside, Winthrop PUB in Winthrop Open 7 days a week • All ages

Sun Mountain Lodge offers over 65 km. of beautifully groomed cross-country ski trails right from your door, plus our cross-country ski shop, a complete line of rental gear, PSIA certified instructors, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, a gift shop and more. Then relax with a soothing spa treatment and award-winning fine dining featuring some of our region’s finest locally sourced food and best wines.

Call today for reservations and Winter Specials: 800-572-0493

or 509-996-2211

OSB TAPROOM

509.997.0902

502 S. Glover, Twisp Taproom at TwispWorks Open Wed-Sun • 21+

604 Patterson Lake Road, Winthrop WA 98862 | sunmountainlodge.com 26

coyotes tracking across fields, ravens gliding on currents beside you, the sun sparkling on ice crystals below. The sun hits your rainbow-hued balloon and as it warms you, you realize you’ve been holding your breath, reluctant to disrupt what seems like a journey through a wardrobe to a distant land.

The Methow Valley spreads below you, a glittering quilt of snow. You glide soundlessly, exploring terrain from a vantage few will ever experience.

On the first weekend of March, Winthrop hosts an annual balloon fest, when dozens of balloons from around the Northwest fill the morning skies.

The site of so many silent colorful bubbles juxtaposed against a blue sky is eclipsed only by the otherworldly glow of a balloon lit up in downtown Winthrop on the second night of the festival.

Contact: Morning Glory Balloon Tours, www.balloonwinthrop.com, (509) 997-1700, morningglory@balloonwinthrop.com 9. EN JOY THE SHOW An eagerly-anticipated vision came to fruition this year, with the opening of

The Barnyard Cinema in Winthrop. At The Barnyard Cinema, an eclectic roster of films ranging from wide-release to independent to arty rotates through the theater’s deluxe viewing room, complete with oversize recliners and an unparalleled sound system. Local beer, wine, coffee, and a quintessential movie-house candy selection complete the package; this is the real deal.

The Barnyard Cinema provides access to more than just a thoughtfully curated schedule of films; it offers a chance for audiences to share the experience of watching a film with others: of laughing, weeping, and gasping with fellow community members. The silver screen is indeed magical, not just for the communal celebration of the art form, but because of the questions the films elicit and the conversations they inspire.

Contact: The Barnyard Cinema, www. thebarnyardcinema.com, (509) 9963222, info@thebarnyardcinema.com

Harvest Foods deli, Mazama Store, Rocking Horse Bakery, Carlton Store, Kind Grinds and Cinnamon Twisp Bakery. There are a lot of other places where we tend to quietly blend in. You can easily do the same.

11. SUPPORT RE AL NEWS Keep up with local goings-on with a subscription to the Methow Valley News, delivered to you once a week with fresh stories and tons of useful information.

Call (509) 997-7011, email frontdesk@ methowvalleynews.com or visit our website, www.methowvalleynews.com. 

The Mazama Store is a great place to stop for a chat and try your luck at looking local. PHOTO BY DONNI REDDINGTON

10. GET TO KNOW US It’s easy to feel local. We have our hangouts. If you really want to see what we look like, try places the Hank’s

5 Big Screen TVs with NFL Ticket

Jack’s Hut Pizza & Brews OPEN DAILY FRIDAY-TUESDAY 9AM-8PM WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY 9AM-5PM

Happy Hour 2-4pm daily

27

Visitor Info

HOMETOWN PIZZA

The Valley’s Choice for Affordable Family Dining

Dine in • Take OuT Take’n Bake

• Stone Baked Pizzas Made From Scratch • Gluten-Free Crusts Available • Banquet Room

• • • •

Calzones Sub Sandwiches Fresh Salads Beer & Wine

509-997-2100

202 N. Methow Valley Hwy, Twisp, WA

NEED A PL ACE TO STAY?

OPEN L ATE

CENTRAL RESERVATIONS: 996-2148 or (800) 422-3048; www.centralreservations. net; info@centralreservations.net

HANK’S MINI MARKET: 410 E. Methow Valley Highway, Twisp; 997-4332; until 10 p.m. every day; 24-hour fueling MAZAMA STORE: 50 Lost River Road, Mazama; 996-2855; 24-hour fueling PARDNERS MINI MARKET: 900 Highway 20, Winthrop; 996-2005; until midnight every day; 24-hour fueling T WISP CHEVRON: 126 N. Methow Valley Highway; 997-3181; until 10 p.m. weekdays and Sunday, 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 24-hour fueling

INFORMATION CENTER S Since 1992

T WISP: 997-2926; 201 Methow Valley Highway (Methow Valley Community Center) WINTHROP: 996-2125 or (888) 463-8469; 202 Riverside Ave.

C AR WA SH

DISCOVER

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING GOOD.

C ASCADE KING’S: 1421 Methow Valley Hwy S. Twisp; 997-2513; www.kingstire.biz

NEED A TOW? CLASSIC TOWING, T WISP: 997-2333 WINTHROP MOTORS: 996-2277

NEED TO CHARGE YOUR ELEC TRIC V EHICLE? PINE NEAR RV PARK: 316 Castle Ave., Winthrop; (509) 341-4062, www. pinenearpark.com MAZAMA COUNTRY INN: 15 Country Road, Mazama; 996-2681; www. mazamacountryinn.com SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE, WINTHROP: 996-2211; www.sunmountainlodge.com 50 LOST RIVER ROAD • OPEN DAILY 7AM–6PM • 509.996.2855

THEMAZAMASTORE.COM

Stay in the Valley Use the local CPA Services of

J. Bart Bradshaw CPA, PLLC

Income Tax Preparation • Tax Planning & Advice Small Business Consulting • Payroll Quarterly Reports • QuickBooks Professionals E-File & Direct Deposits

996-2820 • jbb@winthropcpa.com • www.winthropcpa.com 28

C AB AND SHUT TLE CLASSIC MOUNTAIN C ABBY: 996-2894; classicmountaincabby@gmail.com

POLICE/EMERGENC Y EMERGENCY: 911 T WISP POLICE DEPARTMENT: 997-6112; 118 S. Glover St.; townoftwisp.com/index. php/departments/police-department/ WINTHROP MARSHAL’S OFFICE: 996-2160; 206 Riverside Ave.; www. winthropmarshals.com OKANOGAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: (509) 422-7232; www.okanogansheriff.org WASHINGTON STATE PATROL: (509) 422-3800 OKANOGAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 6: 997-2981 A ERO METHOW RESCUE SERVICE: 997-4013; www.aeromethow.org

AIRPORTS T WISP MUNICIPAL AIRPORT: 40 Wagner Road, Twisp; 997-2311.

METHOW VALLEY STATE AIRPORT: TwispWinthrop Eastside Road; (360) 618-2477

The gift of lift and drift!

Morning Glory BALLOON TOURS

THE METHOW VALLEY, WASHINGTON

509-997-1700

www.balloonwinthrop.com

PET PROBLEMS?

RECRE ATION INFORMATION

GOV ERNMENT

METHOW VALLEY VETERINARY HOSPITAL: 910 Highway 20, Winthrop: 996-3231 VALLEY VETERINARY CLINIC: 20335 Highway 20, Twisp; 997-8452 WINTHROP VETERINARY SERVICES: 19100 Highway 20; 996-2793

U.S. FOREST SERVICE: 996-4000; 24 West Chewuch Rd., Winthrop METHOW TRAILS: 996-2387; 309 Riverside Ave., Winthrop; www.methowtrails.com; info@methowtrails.com WINTHROP RINK: 996-4199, www. winthropicerink.com WAGNER MEMORIAL POOL, T WISP: 997-5441 PEARRYGIN L AKE STATE PARK, WINTHROP: 996-2370; www.parks.wa.gov/563/ Pearrygin-Lake C ASCADE LOOP SCENIC HIGHWAY: www. cascadeloop.com NORTH C ASCADES NATIONAL PARK: Newhalem visitor center, (206) 386-4495 ext.11; www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE: (360) 902-2200; www.wdfw. wa.gov

CITY OF PATEROS: (509) 923-2571; www. pateros.com TOWN OF T WISP: 997-4081; 118 S. Glover St.; www.townoftwisp.com TOWN OF WINTHROP: 996-2320, 206 Riverside Ave., www.townofwinthrop.com

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: Dial 511 for pass and road information; www.wsdot.wa.gov

NEED TO CLE AN UP? L AUNDROMAT, SHOWERS AND FREE WI-FI AT WASHWORKS: 325 E. Highway 20, Twisp; 997-0336; www.hwy20washworks. com

CHAMBER S OF COMMERCE T WISP: 997-2020; www.twispinfo.com WINTHROP: 996-2125; www. winthropwashington.com OMAK: (509) 826-1880 or (800) 225-6625; www.omakchamber.com OKANOGAN: (509) 422-4034; www. okanogachamber.com BREWSTER: (509) 689-3464; www. brewsterchamber.org PATEROS: (509) 923-9636; www.pateros. com

BANK S NORTH C ASCADES BANK: 101 Methow Valley Highway N., Twisp; 997-2411; www. northcascadesbank.com FARMERS STATE BANK: 159 Riverside Ave., Winthrop; 996-2244; www. farmersstatebankwa.com

POST OFFICES C ARLTON: 997-6091; 2274 Highway 153 METHOW: (509) 923-2759; 34 Main St. T WISP: 997-3777; 205 Glover St. WINTHROP: 996-2282; 1110 Highway 20

LIBR ARIES T WISP: 997-4681; 201 Methow Valley Highway (Methow Valley Community Center); wireless hot spot WINTHROP: 996-2685; 49 Highway 20; wireless hot spot

REC YCLING METHOW RECYCLES: 997-0520; 12 Twisp Airport Road; www.methowrecycles.org

HE ALTH C ARE THREE RIVERS HOSPITAL, BREWSTER: (509) 689-2086; www. threerivershospital.net MID-VALLEY HOSPITAL, OMAK: (509) 826-1760; www.mvhealth.org CONFLUENCE HEALTH METHOW VALLEY CLINIC, WINTHROP: 996-8180 FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS MEDICAL CLINIC, T WISP: 997-2011 BREWSTER CLINIC: (509) 826-1800 STEVEN C. HARROP DDS, WINTHROP: 996-2164 SAWTOOTH DENTAL C ARE, T WISP: 997-7533 FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS DENTAL CLINIC, T WISP: 997-0922 ULRICH’S PHARMACY, T WISP: 997-2191

INFORMATION & MEDIA METHOW VALLEY NEWS: 997-7011; 502 S. Glover St., Twisp; www. methowvalleynews.com; frontdesk@ methowvalleynews.com WWW. METHOWNET.COM WWW. METHOW.COM KTRT, 97.5 FM KCSY, 106.3FM KOZI, 93.5FM KTWP (PUBLIC RADIO), 91.1FM KOMW, 95.1 All 996 and 997 prefixes are in the 509 area code.

C E L E B R A T E W I TH B LUE STA R

HIGHWAY INFORMATION

HANDCRAFTED COFFEE FOR COFFEE LOVERS

Always Good!

Located at Town Trailhead next door to Ice Rink & Spring Creek Suspension Bridge 110 White Ave (Twin Lakes Rd)•Winthrop Wa 98862•509-996-4348

BLUESTARCOFFEEROASTERS.COM

www.methowriverlodge.com 29

R E STAUR A N TS BAKERY CINNAMON T WISP BAKERY. 116 N. Glover St., Twisp 997-5030. facebook.com/ CinnamonTwispBakery MAZAMA STORE. 50 Lost River Rd., Mazama. 996-2855. themazamastore.com OLIVER’S A RTISAN KITCHEN. 100 Bridge St., Winthrop. 996-2020. oliversartisankitchen. com ROCKING HORSE BAKERY. 265 Riverside Ave., Winthrop. 996-4241. rockinghorsebakery.com

BAR S/COCKTAIL S BJ’S BRANDING IRON. 123 N. Glover St, Twisp. 997-0040. facebook.com/ TwispBrandingIron BRIX WINE BAR. 229 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-3229.

nt Make your eve

Fun for All!

C ARLOS1800. 149 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-2245. facebook.com/ CARLOS1800 COPPER G LANCE. 134A Riverside Ave, Winthrop. copperglancewinthrop.com DUCK BRAND. 248 Riverside Ave, Winthrop.

996-2408. facebook.com/DuckBrand FREESTONE INN. 31 Early Winters Drive, Mazama. 996-3906. freestoneinn.com MICK & MIKI’S RED CEDAR BAR. 110 S Glover St, Twisp. 997-6425. facebook.com/ Mick-Mikis-Red-Cedar-Bar OLD SCHOOLHOUSE BREWERY. 155 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-3183. oldschoolhousebrewery.com

CON V ENIENCE STORE C ARLTON G ENERAL STORE . 2256 Hwy 153, Carlton.

997-9022. facebook.com/ Carlton-General-Store MAZAMA STORE. 50 Lost River Rd, Mazama. 996-2855. themazamastore.com PARDNER’S MINI MARKET. 900 Hwy 20, Winthrop. 996-2005.

DELI

SIXKNOT TAPHOUSE. 231 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-3862. sixknotcider.com

3 BEARS C AFÉ & QUILTS. 414 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-8013. 3bearscafe.com

SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE. 604 Patterson Lake Rd, Winthrop. 996-2211. sunmountainlodge.com

CINNAMON T WISP BAKERY. 116 N. Glover St, Twisp. 997-5030. facebook.com/ CinnamonTwispBakery

THREE FINGERED JACK’S. 176 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-2411. 3fingeredjacks.com

G LOVER STREET MARKET. 124 N. Glover St, Twisp. 997-1320. gloverstreetmarket.com

COFFEE SHOP

HANK’S HARVEST FOODS. 412 E. Methow Valley Hwy, Twisp. 997-7711. hanksharvestfoods.com

3 BEARS C AFÉ & QUILTS. 414 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-8013. 3bearscafe.com

KIND G RINDS. 94 Bridge Street, Winthrop.

996-4563. facebook.com/kindgrinds

BLUE STAR COFFEE ROASTERS. 3 Twisp Airport Rd, Twisp. 997-2583. bluestarcoffeeroasters.com Kind Grinds. 94 Bridge Street, Winthrop.

996-4563. facebook.com/kindgrinds

MAZAMA STORE. 50 Lost River Rd, Mazama. 996-2855. themazamastore.com OLIVER’S A RTISAN KITCHEN. 100 Bridge St, Winthrop. 996-2020. oliversartisankitchen. com

Face Painting & Glitter Tattoos

FAMILY FRIENDLY DUCK BRAND. 248 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-2408. facebook.com/ DuckBrand EL SABOR NORTEÑO. 108 N. Glover St, Twisp. 997-0760. facebook.com/ elsabornorteno.twisp EL VALLE. 123 N. Glover St, Twisp.

997-7829.

E AST 20 PIZZA . 720 Hwy 20, Winthrop.

996-3996. east20pizza.com FREESTONE INN. 31 Early Winters Drive, Mazama. 996-3906. freestoneinn.com

Massage Waxing Lashes

Darla Hussey

30

WINTHROP E VERGREEN IGA. 920 Hwy 20, Winthrop. 996-2525. facebook.com/ WinthropEvergreenIGA

Facials Skin Bar & Boutique

o.com darlahussey@yaho 509.488.5930

ROCKING HORSE BAKERY. 265 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-4241. rockinghorsebakery. com

509.996.2417 134 Riverside Ave, Winthrop, WA www.nectarskinbarwinthrop.com

Boutique

SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE. 604 Patterson Lake Rd, Winthrop. 996-2211. sunmountainlodge.com TAPPI. 201 S. Glover St, Twisp. 9973345. tappitwisp.com

methownet.com

THREE FINGERED JACK’S. 176 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-2411. 3fingeredjacks. com

FINE DINING A RROWLEAF BISTRO. 207 White Ave, Winthrop. 996-3919. arrowleafbistro.com HOMETOWN PIZZA .202 Methow Valley Hwy, Twisp. 997-2100.

Hometownpizza.com L AFONDA LOPEZ. 125 Hwy 20, Twisp. New location in December: 102 Hwy 20, Twisp.

997-0247. lafondalopez.com

FREESTONE INN. 31 Early Winters Drive, Mazama. 996-3906. freestoneinn.com SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE. 604 Patterson Lake Rd, Winthrop. 996-2211. sunmountainlodge.com TAPPI. 201 S. Glover St, Twisp. 997-3345. tappitwisp.com

INTERNET SERVICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY

LOCAL BLEND. 1017 E. Methow Valley Hwy, Twisp. 997-1048. facebook.com/ valleygrub1017 MAZAMA COUNTRY INN. 15 Country Rd, Mazama. 996-2681. mazamacountryinn. com OLD SCHOOLHOUSE BREWERY. 155 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-3183. oldschoolhousebrewery.com RIVERSIDE G RILL . 162 Riverside Ave,

SMALL PL ATES BRIX WINE BAR. 229 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-3229.

COPPER G LANCE. 134A Riverside Ave, Winthrop. copperglancewinthrop.com SIXKNOT TAPHOUSE. 231 Riverside Ave, Winthrop. 996-3862. sixknotcider.com

Convenient location close to downtown Winthrop and the Methow Trails system

Winthrop. 996-2444.

All 996 and 997 prefixes are in the 509 area code.

Antiques and collectibles.

Vintage furniture, kitchen, home and garden décor.

A variety of recycled, repurposed and locally made items.

501 Hwy 20 Winthrop, WA

996-8297

Winthrop’s only year-round pool!

(800) 757-2709 ~ www.riverrun-inn.com 31

CA LE N DA R NOVEMBER 2 FIX YOUR GEAR NIGHT: Get your

outdoor gear fixed at eqpd on the TwispWorks campus. Free. 997-2010.

4–7pm

11 JAYME STONE’S FOLKLIFE:

Banjoist and composer Jayme Stone at Winthrop Barn. $5-$25. 997-4004. 7pm

16 FRUITCAKE: Harriet Baskas

presents “The Ancient Fruitcake: What Really, Really Old Food Tells Us about History, Culture, Love and Memory,” a Humanities Washington Program, at Twisp library. Free, refreshments provided. 997-4681. 6pm

17–18 SPINNERS & WEAVERS

23 THANKSGIVING BUFFET: At Freestone Inn, Mazama. $15-$39, under 5 free. 996-3906. 1pm, 3pm and 5pm servings, reservations required 23 THANKSGIVING ON THE MOUN-

TAIN: Thanksgiving dinner replaces the regular menu at Sun Mountain Lodge.

996-2211. 2–8pm

outdoor gear fixed at eqpd on the TwispWorks campus. Free. 997-2010.

4–7pm

8–9 DIAMONDS & PEARLS WINE

itz will give a concert at Sun Mountain Lodge; with Terry Hunt and Laura Love. $20. 996-2211. 7:30pm

2 ADULTS-ONLY BURLESQUE: Atomic Bombshells at Winthrop Barn. $35-$45. 997-4004. 7pm

Rouge” and “Upcycled” open with a reception at Confluence Gallery, Twisp; shows continue through Jan. 6, 2018.

Free. 997-2787. 4–8pm

7 FIX YOUR GEAR NIGHT: Get your

24 CONCERT: Violinist Ariel Horow-

17–18 SOUTHEAST ASIAN TRUNK

18 EXHIBITS OPEN: “Vision En

7 GEAR UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Celebrate the holidays at TwispWorks with food, beverages, music, art, live performances, Santa’s workshop, horse-drawn carriage rides and lots of gifts. Free. 997-3300. 4–7pm

7 SIP AND SHOP: Music, drinks,

25 CONCERT: Violinist Ariel Horow-

18 LEGOS AT THE LIBRARY: Be creative with Legos at Twisp Library, for kids 4 and older. Free. 997-4681. Noon

creative with Legos at Twisp Library, for kids 4 and older. Free. 997-4681.

3:45 pm

24–25 WINTHROP’S CHRISTMAS AT THE END OF THE ROAD: Kick off the holiday season in Winthrop with family activities and fireworks. Free.

996-2125. All day

SHOW: Methow Valley Spinners & Weavers Guild hosts its annual show and sale at 137 Old Twisp Highway.

Free. 996-3655. 2–6:30pm Friday; 9am3pm Saturday SHOW: Textiles, sculpture, jewelry and unusual collectibles from Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam at Confluence Gallery, Twisp. Free.

997-2787.

7 LEGOS AT THE LIBRARY: Be

itz will give a concert at the Confluence Gallery in Twisp. 997-0222. 7pm.

DECEMBER

2 THEATER: Seattle University and

The Merc Playhouse present “Mother Courage” at The Merc in Twisp. $16$18; free for 18 and under. 997-7529.

7pm

5 METHOW CONSERVANCY PARTY:

Year-end party and program, “Last Stand: the Vanishing Caribou Rainforest” with David Moskowitz, at Winthrop Barn. Free. 996-2780. Party at 6pm, program at 7pm

snacks and shopping at Confluence Gallery, Twisp. Free. 997-2787. 4–8pm

EVENT: Dinner and wines featuring Spring Valley Vineyards at Sun Mountain Lodge. 996-2211, www.sunmountainlodge.com/dining/diamonds-andpearls/. 6–8:30pm

8–17 HOLIDAY THEATER: “The

Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at Merc Playhouse, Twisp. $5-$18. 997-7529.

7pm Thursday through Saturday, 2pm, Sunday

9 CONCERT: Spokane-based rock

quintet Elephant Gun Riot at The Barnyard Cinema, Winthrop. $12-$15.

996-3222. 8pm

9 PROHIBITION PARTY: Celebrate

at Freestone Inn, Mazama. $49, adults only. 996-3906. 8pm-12:30am, reservations required

12–13 HOLIDAY CONCERT: Cascadia’s annual Holiday Concert at the Methow Valley Community Center, Twisp. By donation. 997-0222. 7pm

THE

14–17 METHOW VALLEY SKI CAMP: Adult Nordic ski camp at Sun Mountain Lodge. $420. methowvalleynordic.com/event/ methow-valley-ski-camp 14 STEM ACTIVITIES: Science,

technology, engineering and math activities at Twisp library, for kids 6–14: ziplines. Free. 997-4681. 3:45pm

16 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Have

breakfast with Santa at Freestone Inn, Mazama. $13-$18. 996-3906. 9am and 11am servings, reservations advised

16 LEGOS AT THE LIBRARY: Be creative with Legos at Twisp Library, for kids 4 and older. Free. 997-4681. Noon 25 CHRISTMAS DINNER: Christmas dinner sponsored by the Methow Valley Snowmobile Association, open to the public at the Winthrop Barn. Free.

Noon-3pm

27 SKI RODEO: 1K ,5K and 10K

skate-ski races for all ages, and a custom-designed ski obstacle course; location to be determined. Costs vary. http://methowvalleynordic.com/event/ rodeo-2017/.

28–29 KIDS’ HOLIDAY SKI CAMP: Methow Valley Nordic Team two-day holiday camp for skiers ages 6–13, at Mazama Community Club. $60 for members, $150 for non-members.

996-6000; http://methowvalleynordic.com/event/december-holidaycamp_2017.

30 TRY BIATHLON: Learn to combine Nordic skiing and marksmanship at this fundraiser for Methow Biathlon, at Mazama biathlon range. $25. http:// methowvalleynordic.com/event/trybiathlon/. 10:30am-2pm

VIRGINIAN RESORT

WELCOME SKIERS & SNOWMOBILERS!

Featuring Cabins & Rooms on the River starting at $69 per night

Free Continental • Free WiFi • Satellite TV Pet Friendly • Adjacent to Ski Trails Call to make your reservation!

aspengrovehome.com | 156 Riverside Ave. | (509) 996-2009 32

toll free (866) 996-2535 or (509) 996-2535 808 Hwy 20 • 1/2 mile from Downtown Winthrop

JANUARY 4 FIX YOUR GEAR NIGHT: Get your

outdoor gear fixed at eqpd on the TwispWorks campus. Free. 997-2010. 4–7pm 5 NATURAL HISTORY AND DRAWING: “Bringing the Outside In,” natural history and drawing class focused on winter birds, with Mary Kiesau and Perri Howard at TwispWorks. $65/class or $240 for four-class series. 996-2780. 12:30–5pm 6–7 NORDIC SKI CLINIC: A two-day clinic for Methow Valley Nordic Club members in both classic and skating, at Mazama Community Club. $170. http://methowvalleynordic.com/event/ mv-nordic-member-clinic/.

6 NATURE OF WINTER SNOWSHOE TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama. Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287. 11am‑1pm 9 METHOW CONSERVANCY PROGRAM: “Washington Trust Water Rights” with Methow Watershed Council, at location to be announced.

Free. 996-2780. 7pm 13 WILDLIFE CLASS: Class on skull identification with Marcus Reynerson, at location to be announced. $65.

996-2780. 9am-4pm 13 NATURE OF WINTER SNOWSHOE TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama. Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287. 11am‑1pm 14 WILDLIFE TRACKING CLASS: Snowshoe wildlife tracking class with Marcus Reynerson, at location to be announced. $45. 996-2780. 8:30am12:30pm 18 EXHIBITS OPENING: “The Beholden Eye: Concepts of Beauty” and “Deadly Beauty” open with a reception at Confluence Gallery, Twisp; shows continue through Feb. 24. Free.

997-2787. 4–8pm 19 NATURAL HISTORY AND DRAWING: “Bringing the Outside In,” natural history and drawing class focused on winter birds, with Mary Kiesau and Perri Howard at TwispWorks. $65/class or $240 for four-class series. 996-2780.

12:30-5pm 20–21 METHOW VALLEY PURSUIT: One or two-day point-to-point Nordic ski racing on Methow trails. $40-$85. 996-3287. 8am

20 NATURE OF WINTER SNOW-

SHOE TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama.

Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287.

11am-1pm

25–28 THEATER: Liberty Bell

High School Drama Club and The Merc Playhouse present “Rock ’n’ Roll” at The Merc in Twisp. $5-$10. 997-7529.

7pm

27 NATURE OF WINTER SNOWSHOE TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama.

Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287.

11am-1pm 27 JAZZ IN THE METHOW: Concert featuring Laura Love and Nancy Zahn, at Methow Valley Community Center, Twisp. 997-0222. 7pm

FEBRUARY 1 FIX YOUR GEAR NIGHT: Get your

outdoor gear fixed at eqpd on the TwispWorks campus. Free. 997-2010.

4–7pm

2 NATURAL HISTORY AND DRAW-

ING: “Bringing the Outside In,” natural history and drawing class focused on winter birds, with Mary Kiesau and Perri Howard at TwispWorks. $65/class or $240 for four-class series. 996-2780.

12:30–5pm

3 SKI DERBY: 15K or 30K classic

Nordic races on the Sun Mountain trails, at Chickadee Trailhead. $50. methowvalleynordic.com/event/ winthrop-ski-derby/.

3 WILDLIFE TRACKING: Snowshoe

wildlife tracking class with David Moskowitz, at location to be announced. $45. 996-2780. 8:30am-12:30pm

3 NATURE OF WINTER SNOWSHOE

TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama. Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287. 11am‑ 1pm

4 HANZ’S BIG ADVENTURE: “Guess

your time” event with obstacle course included, Open to all ages, at McCabe Trail, Liberty Bell High School. Free. 996-6000; http://methowvalleynordic.com/event/ hanzs-big-adventure-2018/. 1pm

5 METHOW CONSERVANCY PRO-

GRAM: “River of Hope: The Columbia River, from Source to Sea,” with Peter Marbach, at location to be announced.

Free. 996-2780. 7pm

18 CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL CONCERT: “Romantic Strings” presented at The Merc Playhouse, Twisp. $30-$120. www.methowmusicfestival. org; 997-5000. 7pm

10–11 RACE OF THE METHOW:

19–20 KIDS’ HOLIDAY SKI CAMP:

10 NATURE OF WINTER SNOWSHOE TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama. Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287. 11am‑ 1pm

24 NATURE OF WINTER SNOWSHOE TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama.

Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287.

11am-1pm

Classic sprint and skate distance races for all ages; also serves as regional Junior National qualifier; at McCabe Trail, Liberty Bell High School. $10-$50.

996-6000; http://methowvalleynordic. com/event/race-of-the-methow-2018/

10 CONCERT: Native American dancer and hip-hop artist Supaman and dancing partner Acosia Red Elk at Winthrop Barn. $10-$35. 997-4004.

7pm 16 NATURAL HISTORY AND DRAW-

ING: “Bringing the Outside In,” natural history and drawing class focused on winter birds, with Mary Kiesau and Perri Howard at TwispWorks. $65/class or $240 for four-class series. 996-2780.

12:30–5pm

17–18 SNOWSHOE SOFTBALL:

Snowshoe softball tournament sponsored by Three Fingered Jack’s, at Winthrop ball field. 996‑2411. All day

17 TOUR OF THE METHOW: Choose

a distance, starting from Mazama Community Club. $10. www.methowvalleynordic.com/event/tour-of-themethow-2018/.

17 NATURE OF WINTER SNOWSHOE TOURS: Snowshoe nature tour from Sun Mountain Lodge; or from Jack’s Hut at Freestone Inn, Mazama. Free; trail pass required. 996‑3287. 11am‑ 1pm

18 TRY BIATHLON: Learn to combine Nordic skiing and marksmanship at this fundraiser for Methow Biathlon, at Mazama biathlon range. $25. methowvalleynordic.com/event/ try-biathlon/.

18 DOGGY DASH: Costumed humans and their dogs in Nordic ski race at Winthrop Town Trailhead. By donation.

996-3287. 9am

Methow Valley Nordic Team holiday camp for skiers ages 6–13, at McCabe Trails, Liberty Bell High School. $60 for Nordic Team members, $150 for others. methowvalleynordic.com/ event/february-2018-holiday-camp/

MARCH 1 FIX YOUR GEAR NIGHT: Get your outdoor gear fixed at eqpd on the TwispWorks campus. Free. 997-2010.

4–7pm 2–4 WINTHROP HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL: Balloons lift off from Winthrop Inn each morning. Free.

996-2125. 7am 3 EXHIBITS OPENING: “Connecting

Threads” and Methow Arts student works open with a reception at Confluence Gallery, Twisp; shows continue through April 14. Free. 997-2787.

4–8pm

6 METHOW CONSERVANCY PRO-

GRAM: “Sasquatch: Man‑Ape or Myth” with David George Gordon, at location to be announced. Free. 996-2780. 7pm

10 CONCERT: Pianist Stephen Beus in concert; location and time to be determined. 997-0222.

16 SASQUATCH FOR REAL?:

Winthrop Library hosts discussion is exploring “Sasquatch: Man‑Ape or Myth?” Free. 996-2685. 7pm

17–18 QUILTING WORKSHOP:

Learn “doodle piecing” and complex curves at the Methow Valley Inn, Twisp, with Patricia Belyea. $325.

997-2787. 9am-5pm Saturday, 9am4pm Sunday  All 996 and 997 prefixes are in the 509 area code.

33

ADVE RTI SE RS ACCOUNTING SERVICES

ENTERTAIN MENT, CONT.

M A SSAG E/SPA SERVICES

RECRE ATION, CONT.

J. Bart Bradshaw, CPA ............................ 28

Methow Valley Ciderhouse .................... 21 Old Schoolhouse Brewery...................... 26 Sixknot Taphouse........................................ 15

Nectar Skin Bar & Boutique ................. 30 Sun Mountain Lodge ................................. 26

Sun Mountain Ski........................................... 8 Winthrop Rink .................................................. 4

MOVIE THE ATER

RENTA L S & SA LES

Barnyard Cinema ............................................ 4

Chewack River Guest Ranch ................. 23 Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies .........17 Loup Loup Ski Bowl ................................... 15 Loup Loup Ski Rental Shop ...................... 2 Methow Cycle & Sport ............................. 11 Methow Valley Ski School ......................... 2 Outdoorsman..................................................17 Sun Mountain Lodge ................................. 26 Sun Mountain Ski........................................... 8 Winthrop Mountain Sports .................... 19 Winthrop Rink .................................................. 4

BA KERIES Cinnamon Twisp Bakery .......................... 11 Rocking Horse Bakery............................... 19 BUILDER S & CONTR AC TOR S Palm Construction ......................................... 9 BUILDING SUPPLY All Valley Insulation................................... 20 Cascade Pipe & Feed................................... 8 North Valley Lumber .................................... 5 C A FES/DINING/ESPRESSO/ SPIRIT S Blue Star Coffee Roasters ....................... 29 Cinnamon Twisp Bakery .......................... 11 Freestone Inn ................................................... 3 Freestone Inn, Jack’s Hut.........................27 Hometown Pizza ......................................... 28 LaFonda Lopez Restaurant .................... 21 Lariat Coffee Roasters ................................. 8 Mazama Country Inn ................................. 15 Mazama Store ............................................... 28 Methow Valley Ciderhouse .................... 21 Old Schoolhouse Brewery...................... 26 Rocking Horse Bakery............................... 19 Sixknot Taphouse........................................ 15 Sun Mountain Lodge ................................. 26 Wine Shed ...........................................................7 C A R WA SH/AUTOMOTIV E King’s Pacific Pride & Car Wash ...........17 ENTERTAIN MENT Cascadia ........................................................... 25 Merc Playhouse ............................................... 9

34

E V ENT FACILITIES Pipestone Canyon Ranch ........................ 20 Winthrop Barn Auditorium........................ 9 FACE PAINTING/BA LLOON A RT Abracadoodles .............................................. 30 G A LLERIES/A RT S E V ENT S Confluence Gallery & Art Center ........ 24 Paula Christen’s Watercolors ................ 23 HOME HE ATING Cascade Pipe & Feed................................... 8 North Valley Lumber .................................... 5 INTERNE T SERVICE Methownet.com ........................................... 31 LODGING Central Reservations ................................. 36 Chewack River Guest Ranch ................. 23 Freestone Inn ................................................... 3 Mazama Country Inn ................................. 15 Mazama Ranch House ...............................17 Methow River Lodge & Cabins............ 29 River Run Inn ................................................ 31 Sun Mountain Lodge ................................. 26 Twisp River Suites ......................................... 2 Virginian Resort ........................................... 32 Winthrop Mountain View Chalets ...... 13

ORG A NIZ ATIONS City of Pateros............................................... 21 Methow Conservancy ................................... 9 Methow Trails ................................................ 22 Methow Valley Snowmobile Assoc .... 21 TwispWorks .........................................................7 Winthrop Barn Auditorium........................ 9 Winthrop Chamber of Commerce ...... 35 PHOTOG R A PH Y Donni Reddington Photography ......... 14 PROPERT Y M AINTEN A NCE/ SECURIT Y Methow Housewatch ................................ 24 R A DIO KTRT – 97.5 FM .............................................27 RE A L ESTATE

RE TAIL Aspen Grove ................................................... 32 Confluence Gallery & Art Center ........ 24 Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies .........17 Mazama Store ............................................... 28 Methow Cycle & Sport ............................. 11 Nectar Skin Bar & Boutique ................. 30 Outdoorsman..................................................17 Robins Egg Bleu........................................... 31 Sun Mountain Lodge ................................. 26 Wine Shed ...........................................................7 Winthrop Mountain Sports .................... 19 SNOW REMOVA L Palm Construction ......................................... 9

Blue Sky Real Estate.................................. 13 Coldwell Banker Winthrop Realty......... 2 RECRE ATION Chewack River Guest Ranch ................. 23 Loup Loup Ski Bowl ................................... 15 Methow Trails ................................................ 22 Methow Valley Ski School ......................... 2 Methow Valley Snowmobile Assoc .... 21 Morning Glory Balloon Tours ................ 28 North Cascades Mountain Guides ..... 25 Sun Mountain Lodge ................................. 26

PHOTO BY DONNI REDDINGTON

NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AREA

W I N T H R O P WAS H I N GTO N .CO M WINTHROP

IS

WASHINGTON’S

WINTER

PLAYGROUND