Leavenworth, a popular spot with cross-country ski enthusiasts, offers 25 kilometers of groomed trails within minutes of downtown. Three ski areas are maintained by the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club with both classical and skate-skiing lanes.

The most accessible of these—Waterfront Park—is just a block from downtown and covers eight kilometers along the Wenatchee River. These connect with the Leavenworth Golf Course Trail. Icicle River Trail, one mile from Leavenworth on Icicle Road, has eight kilometers of level tracks at the mouth of Icicle Canyon, through meadows and forests above the fish hatchery.

Ski Hill Trail has a five-kilometer track, with two kilometers lighted for night skiing (till 9 p.m.) that roll over the hills adjacent to the downhill ski area. Here you get the added benefit of a lodge and weekend food service. The club often grooms trails up the last several miles of Icicle River Road, on an unplowed stretch. Trail fees are $8 per day for adults, free for kids under five.

For more information, contact the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club (509/548-4608, www.skileavenworth.com). Rent cross-country and skate skis at Der Sportsman (837 Front St., 509/548-5623) or Leavenworth Ski & Sports (940 Hwy. 2, next to the Chevron station in the middle of town, 509/548-7864).

Lake Wenatchee State Park, 23 miles northwest of Leavenworth, has 10 kilometers of maintained free trails in the park and on surrounding land, but you’ll need a Sno-Park permit (www.parks.wa.gov) to park here; pick one up in Leavenworth. Cross-country ski lessons and rentals are available nearby at Leavenworth Outfitters (509/763-3733 or 800/347-7934, www.leavenworthoutfitters.com) next to Parkside Grocery.

Contact the Leavenworth Ranger District office (509/548-6977) for more details about skiing options over ungroomed wilderness trails and logging roads around Blewett Pass in Wenatchee National Forest. Skiers need a Sno-Park permit to park here. The Lake Wenatchee Ranger District (509/763-3103, www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee) has details on cross-country trails near the lake.