This classic ridge traverse samples some of the best trails in the extensive Rendezvous system for a demanding all-day ski. Starting at Cub Creek has more downhill than climbing, while beginning at Mazama is the opposite. The groomed trails range in difficulty from easy to most difficult, with the steepest hill on the Lower Fawn Creek trail. The scenery is generally spectacular as the trails wind through open, snowy forests of lodgepole and ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir and open meadows with excellent views of the north Cascades. The trails followed in this route are: Cougar Bait, Cow Creek, Rendezvous Basin, Upper Fawn Creek, Lower Fawn Creek, Goat Creek, Inn Run. For those inclined, there are ski-to huts available for rent along the way (mvsta.com.) A trail pass is required.

The South District of the Mt Tahoma Trails is home to three backcountry huts, allowing for a true hut-to-hut ski experience, if desired (see skimtta.com for more information.) Probably the best feature of the area is the incredible views of Mt Rainier and the other cascade peaks, including Mt Adams and Mt St Helens. Most of these trails are intermediate to advanced with extended hill climbs and descents. A Sno-Park pass is required to park at the trailhead.

The trails in the north district of the Mt Tahoma network follow logging roads along high ridgetops with spectacular and incredible views of their namesake mountain and the rest of the south central Washington Cascades, including Mt St Helens. The relatively high elevation and favorable position west of the Cascade crest leads to heavy snowfall but also many cloudy days. The route shown here goes along a groomed trail from the plowed parking area to a lookout tower on Puyallup Ridge, passing the Copper Creek Hut, which can be rented out, on its way. For more information, visit skimtta.com. Snowshoers are asked to stay to the side of the trail. A Sno-Park permit is required to park at the trailhead.

The Pleasant Valley Loop Trail traces the edges of Pleasant Valley in a dense old-growth forest with the largest specimens of western larch anywhere in the state. The trail south of the highway is ungroomed and can have obstacles like rocks or tree wells depending on snow depth, but is very scenic as it traverses silent woods and the icy banks of the American River. The lower 3/4 of the trail north of the highway is usually groomed and rated easy to intermediate. There are four Sno-Parks along the way where you can park, but the lowest one, Hell's Crossing is the easiest to get to and allows the longest loop. A Sno-Park permit is required to park your vehicle at the trailhead. Dogs are generally not allowed on groomed trails.

This adventure begins at the Cougar Sno-Park, which can get quite crowded with snowmobilers on weekends, but is usually nearly empty on weekdays. The Kalama Ski Trail begins right from the Sno-Park, but the first section is the steepest, so if conditions are unfavorable, it is possible to ascend Road 81 to one of the three "bear" loops and begin the trail there. Snowmobiles are allowed on the road to Climber's Bivouac, but there are generally few to none. The view from this summer parking area includes Mt St Helens and Mt Adams, so obviously, this adventure is best for a clear day. A Sno-Park permit is required to park at the trailhead.

This Sno-Park is one of the most popular in the region for both motorized and non-motorized users, but there are separate trails for each type of use, keeping friction to a minimum. There are 49 miles of marked but ungroomed trails in this recreation area. The route shown here follows the four main loops on the following trails: Swift, Silver, Pika, June Lake, Pine Marten, Sasquatch, Wapiti, Marble. In general, the upper loops are difficult while the lower loops are easy. The waterfall at June Lake is very impressive in the winter (but the lake itself is generally not safe to cross.) There are great views of Mt St Helens when the weather is clear. A Sno-Park permit is required to park at the trailhead.

The Mt Spokane Sno-Park is one of the most popular and developed in the state. There are 23 km of groomed ski trails with set tracks and skating lanes. The route shown here follows a number of trails of all difficulty levels. Many of the trails have good views of the surrounding hills. Snowshoeing and hiking is not allowed on the groomed trails during the winter. A Sno-Park permit with a groomed trails sticker is required to park at the trailhead.

The main trail at this Sno-Park ascends Nason Ridge via a series of logging roads through recovering clear-cuts. The groomed trail climbs nearly 1,500 feet to the southeast end of the ridge, where there are fantastic views of Lake Wenatchee and the high mountains of the Glacier Peak and Alpine Lakes Wilderness areas. The main descent from the top of the hill is quite long, so be sure to be able to check your speed before ascending the hill. A Sno-Park permit with the groomed trails sticker is required to park at the trailhead.

The Mt Catherine Loop is a popular tour using The Summit at Snoqualmie Nordic Trail System. This loop climbs steadily on the Cold Creek Trail to a pass on the back side of Mt Catherine, where a large clear cut gives good views of the central Cascades. To loop back to the parking area, follows Ripsaw, Outer Sunrise Loop, and Creek Run. There are many possible variations on the loop - be sure to get a map from the base lodge. Please stay off the alpine trails. You must purchase a ticket to use the trails, but the ticket covers 2 rides up the alpine lifts, should you choose to use them.

This groomed trail network follows summer trails and campground loop roads at the east end of Lake Wenatchee. If it's not too windy, the beach offers excellent views of the Cascades, while the interior forest is quieter and holds snow better. A Sno-Park permit with a special groomed trails sticker is required to park at the trailhead.