The Writer's Workshop The snow came in the morning, dusting the brick buildings and fruit warehouses of downtown Wenatchee, softening the look of the surrounding hills and swirling over the surface of the Columbia River gliding past the city.
Packing our ski gear in the car, my wife Lisa and I headed up to Mission Ridge, a 12-mile journey from downtown. The plowed road passed houses and fruit orchards, the apple trees bare and silvery against the snowy landscape.
The road wound upward into a pine forest, gaining elevation. By the time we reached Mission Ridge, the snow was piled alongside the road. With a base of 4,570 feet, the ski area boasts dry snow and 300 days of sunshine a year. It spans a bowl on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains with a high point of 6820 and a vertical drop of 2250, guaranteed to burn the thighs of even veteran skiers.
At a time when many ski areas are becoming unaffordable for most families, resorts like Mission remain a bargain and put the ski experience first. Mission has no lodging and little retail other than ski shops and restaurants, but lots of great terrain and well-groomed runs.
After parking, we headed up to the lift where greeters suggested the best runs for the day and pointed out where to purchase tickets.
The first chair took us up to a high-speed quad which whisked us up to the summit. Wind and snow buffeted me as I tightened the buckles of my ski boots and prepared for the descent. The storm had dumped six or more inches of fresh powder, making the skiing a dream. I turned back and forth across the slope, reveling in the feeling of flying I get when the snow is soft and forgiving. Lisa followed suit, weaving through the new snow. We took breaks when we needed, but couldn’t get enough of the forgiving powder and spectacular setting, the snow draped Cascade mountains rising in the distance.
At lunch, we enjoyed tasty BBQ sandwiches and a cup of coffee. Then it was back to the slopes, uncovering new powder stashes and getting into the rhythm of the turns. Later in the afternoon, my quads began to burn. We took one last run and then headed back to the base and a short trip back into town.
In the evening, we booked a reservation at Archive Bistro, a new restaurant in downtown Wenatchee. This proved a smart move as we enjoyed a lovely post Valentine’s Day dinner at the warm, inviting establishment in a renovated brick building. My wife ordered quail and bok choi with caramelized sauce. I opted for the beef carpaccio starter, with duck breast entree, and desert of sorbet and meringue, accompanied with nicely paired wines from local and international producers. The old-world ambience, friendly service and delicious cuisine made for a memorable dining experience.
We stopped at the welcoming Epoch Gaming Lounge for lively game of Quarto and a tasty Negroni night cap.
Staying at the Hilton Garden Hotel on the banks of the Columbia proved an excellent choice for exploring the city. The 10-mile Apple Capital Loop trail passes right by the hotel. We took long walks along the trail, taking in the migratory and geese as well as the imaginative outdoor sculpture garden. One day, we drove up to the Castle Rock trail, a 2-mile loop that affords a panoramic view of the city. This is just one of many hikes easily accessible from town including the Stemilt Wintertime Non-Motorized area on the way to Mission Ridge.
After a long day of walking, we headed for Timberline Brewing, located in a beautifully renovated building downtown. Walking past the steel fermenting tanks, we sat down in a comfortable booth and took in the welcoming, informal vibe. The restaurant features fresh, house-brewed beer (try the Coldilocks Hazy IPA) and delicious wood-fired pizzas with a dizzying variety of options, over seen by the antlered heads of deer, elk and moose.
On our last day, we enjoyed lattes and muffins at Little Red’s Espresso & Bakery next to the Pybus Market. We opted for breakfast at the Café Columbia inside the market, which hosts a wide array of restaurants, artisans, and nonprofit organizations.
The 3-day Wenatchee visit proved an appealing blend of nature and culture, in a place where the mountains and rivers never seem to end.
