Wenatchee Outdoors

PVST TOUR de PLAIN 2026
2026-02-22
Plain Valley Ski Trails Presents TOUR de PLAIN 2026
The Tour de Plain is our annual, family-friendly race series that brings community together for a fun race series including 4 rave events. Each event welcomes skiers of all ages and abilities to Tour the Plain Valley Ski Trails Nordic Team’s barrier-free ski education program. Join us on the snow!
For more information and to register click here.
Register for Race #1 (Jan. 16-19)
Register for Race #2 (Jan. 30 – Feb. 2)
Register for Race #3 (Feb. 13-16)
Register for Race #4* (Feb. 22) *A Master’s event has been added to the Washington Nordic Cup

Women’s Escape at Mission Ridge
2026-02-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-31 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 1 more date
Women’s Escape is your gateway to a better ski day.
Working in small groups with our best women coaches, you’ll build skills, confidence, and flow while having a blast doing it. You could come up early for a coffee and then meet us at Ka Wham Café. We’ll take it to the snow from 10:00 am–12:00 pm, leaving you plenty of time for afternoon laps with friends new and old.
Choose the day you’d like to join. We encourage you to come multiple Tuesdays throughout the season to keep progressing and keep the stoke rolling.
After your 5th lesson, your next one is FREE. Bonus: Participation in our Friday Carve Club also counts toward your five.
Lift Access
Lift access not included. If you do not have a Season Pass, please purchase the Women’s Escape All Mountain Access Day Pass ($45) for the day of your session.
What to Bring / Know Before You Go

Please arrive a little early to get settled and ready to head out on time.
Dress for mountain conditions, bring water, and consider a snack for after your session.
Helmets are strongly recommended.

Find more information on Mission Ridge Events Page.

WRI Winter Wander at the Hatchery
2026-02-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-28 13:00 - 15:00
Begin the year with new discoveries! Starting from the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, join Wenatchee River Institute naturalist guides on a one-mile trail along beautiful Icicle Creek. We will learn about native wildlife and ecology along the way. What signs do we see along the trail that tell us what animals were there? How do the plants and animals survive winter? Even if this is your first time on a trail, come along and enjoy this fun outdoor winter program! Bring your enthusiasm for the wonders of winter and nature, and make sure to dress in warm layers.
Provided – Gaiters and poles (snowshoes if weather/snowpack permits).
Limit of 12 participants per group – Registration required for everyone in the party.
Difficulty level – Beginner level, all skill levels are welcome. Not ADA accessible due to non-plowed trails.
Meeting location – Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery visitor center.

Cost – Pay What You Can:
We offer the Pay What You Can model in recognition that paying for education programs looks different for different people.
These prices are based on the costs to WRI to put on this program. If you want to attend this program, we want you to be there. Use the below discount codes to adjust the total cost of tickets. If these costs are not realistic for you but you are still excited to attend, please fill out our Financial Access Form.
$25/person
This option may be for you if you are excited to attend this program and are able to pay the market rate so WRI can offer future programming at affordable rates, including our free events.
$20/person (use code 20percent)
This option may be for you if you are excited to support WRI, and attending this program doesn’t put a strain on your weekly budget. This covers the break-even cost for WRI to put on this particular program.
$15/person (use code 40percent)
This option may be for you if your budget is tight, but you still really want to attend this program and support WRI.
$10/children 5-12 years old (20% and 40% discount codes will also apply to child tickets, making them $8 or $6).
This option is for any children you may be strolling with. There are 4 tickets per group for children. If you are interested in a date when the child tickets are sold out but there are still adult tickets, please give us a call and we can check if there is extra space!
Free/children 5 and under
Only 2 spaces available per stroll. Please note there are no snowshoes available for most children of this size.
Click here for WRI Calendar, more information and to Register.

CONTACT INFO
Fern Lopez Cruz
flopezcruz@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org

509-548-0181, ext. 5

Skookum Kooker at Mission Ridge
2026-02-28 09:00 - 16:00
The Skookum Kooker – Represent your Ridge makes its debut this season, inviting local mountains to Ride for their Ridge. This non-banked snowboard race is all about smooth riding, speed, and celebrating the local snowboard community. Riders will take on a fast, flowing course designed to test skill and control. No banks, just turns and timing.
Will you take home the Represent your Ridge trophy and bragging rights for the next year?
What to Expect

Open to snowboarders of all ages and abilities
Timed two-run format with categories for boys and girls
The fastest women’s and men’s riders earn free entry into the Bomber Banked Slalom
Music, prizes, and good vibes in the Hampton Lodge afterwards

Registration
Registration will go live January 18th, and the registration fee is $35 per rider. Be sure to fill out the questionnaire to choose which mountain you will be representing.
Click here for the event page which includes schedule, Rider Groups, and Running Order.

WRI Science on Tap: Pacific Lamprey, Your Ancient Neighbor
2026-03-03 19:00 - 20:00
This event is hosted at Ground Control in Wenatchee. No registration required, but RSVP to receive email reminders and updates about this event!
Come join Wenatchee River Institute for Science On Tap! This casual, free event is a great opportunity to gather, socialize, and learn about an exciting science topic from a member of our community. No prior science knowledge necessary! Speakers will give a talk on their latest research or a science topic they are passionate about, with some time afterwards for discussion or Q&A. Presentations start at 7pm – arrive early to grab a drink and get a seat!
Presentation: Pacific Lamprey, Your Ancient Neighbor
Location: Ground Control Bottle Shop and Taproom 10 N. Wenatchee Ave. Wenatchee, WA 98801 US
Description:
Dive into the fascinating world of lampreys—jawless fish that have survived for over 400 million years! Learn about our local Pacific lamprey, their epic life cycle, their cultural significance to Indigenous tribes, and the critical role they play in our local ecosystems. We’ll even have a live lamprey to see up-close! Discover why this incredible fish might just be your new favorite animal.
Presenters:
Sophia Troeh (she/her) is the interpretive Park Ranger for the Leavenworth Fisheries Complex, sharing her passion for salmon and lamprey with thousands of people every year. Prior to her current position, Sophia was a fellow for the National Fish Passage Program at US Fish and Wildlife Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Ann Grote is a Fish Biologist at the Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Leavenworth. Ann’s work focuses on native lampreys and mussels, and she loves sharing the good work that is happening locally to support Pacific Lamprey.
Ground Control offers a small discount for folks who bring their own reusable cup for on tap orders. Outside food is also welcome, as Ground Control does not sell food or snacks.
Click here for more information and link to RSVP

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org

509-548-0181, ext 5

WRI Red Barn Event: Wolf Land Film Screening (in-person ONLY!)
2026-03-06 19:00 - 20:30
Friday, March 6, 2026
7:00 pm8:30 pm

Location: WRI’s Red Barn 347 Division Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826
Wenatchee River Institute LIVE EVENT ONLY! This Red Barn Event will NOT be streamed or recorded.
No registration required, but RSVP to receive email reminders and updates about this event!
Doors to the Red Barn open at 6:30pm for a community social with beer and wine available for purchase. The film will start just after 7:00pm. Run time is 71 minutes and will be followed by a Q+A with producer Sarah Hoffman.
Wolf Land is a film about finding common ground in unlikely places. The team spent 2.5 years documenting the lives of “wolf protecting cowboy” and range rider Daniel Curry and rancher Jerry Francis in the remote wilderness of northeast Washington. Washington has had its share of conflict on this issue, and human/wildlife conflict is a story that’s typically told in polarizing extremes. This film’s goal was to document two people in the middle of this conflict working together to protect what’s most dear to each of them. For Daniel, that is endangered wolves and for Jerry, his cattle and way of life.
We hope that this hyperlocal film, produced in the Northwest, has themes of coexistence that can touch audiences with a range of perspectives on this issue. Courtesy Cascade Public Media.
Sarah Hoffman (she/her) is an Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker who focuses her work on human stories in the realm of science and environment. Her work has appeared in the Seattle International Film Festival, BendFilm, Friday Harbor, Local Sightings and Tacoma Film Fest. She was awarded Best Short at the Portland Ecofilm Festival in 2020. Wolf Land is Sarah’s first feature film. She is currently a Senior Video Producer at Cascade PBS. Prior to joining the company, she worked as a photojournalist and video producer at newspapers around the country including The Dallas Morning News and the Omaha World-Herald.
Photo by Sarah Hoffman/Cascade PBS.
Film Copyright 2025 Cascade Public Media. All Rights Reserved.
Click here for more information and to RSVP.

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, ext 5

Mission Ridge Rails & Ales
2026-03-07 12:00 - 22:00
Rails & Ales
Experience one of the Wenatchee Valley’s most iconic events, Rails & Ales! This highly legendary winter festival brings together skiers, snowboarders, and mountain fans for an evening of stoke, style, and good brews, right in the heart of downtown Wenatchee. Centered around a rail jam and beer garden, Rails & Ales features some of the best skiers and snowboarders from across the country competing for a spot on the podium.
Before the main action gets underway, check out our on-snow experience: beginner skiing & snowboarding lessons right here in town! There will also be plenty of hot food and beverages from an array of vendors, along with live music.
Where
1 Orondo Ave, Wenatchee WA 98801
What to Expect

A custom rail setup right in downtown Wenatchee
Local riders throwing down their best tricks for prizes and bragging rights
On snow experience: introductory snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding lessons
A lively beer garden featuring regional breweries
Music, food, and all the mountain vibes brought down to the heart of Wenatchee

Grab your crew, raise a glass, and get ready for Rails & Ales, where winter stoke is brought to the valley by the truckload.
Full schedule with more details can be found HERE.

WRI Science on Tap: Weather Whiplash
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:00
This event is hosted at Ground Control in Wenatchee. No registration required, but RSVP to receive email reminders and updates about this event!
Come join Wenatchee River Institute for Science On Tap! This casual, free event is a great opportunity to gather, socialize, and learn about an exciting science topic from a member of our community. No prior science knowledge necessary! Speakers will give a talk on their latest research or a science topic they are passionate about, with some time afterwards for discussion or Q&A. Presentations start at 7pm – arrive early to grab a drink and get a seat!
Presentation: Weather Whiplash – Decoding Chelan County’s Wild Weather
Description:
Chelan County went from drought to wildfire to flooding in 2025, seeing extreme variations in temperature, wind, and precipitation that managed to surprise even seasoned meteorologists with its wild weather. This talk explains why our region is prone to weather whiplash, what atmospheric patterns drive our extreme swings, and what it means for anyone trying to plan anything outdoors here.
Presenter:
Brock Burghardt (he/him) is a PhD meteorologist and Certified Consulting Meteorologist who’s spent his career decoding mountain weather patterns and helping communities understand the atmospheric chaos that comes with living in places like Chelan County.
Ground Control offers a small discount for folks who bring their own reusable cup for on tap orders. Outside food is also welcome, as Ground Control does not sell food or snacks.
Click here for more information and to RSVP

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, ext 5

Mission Ridge Tour de Blues
2026-03-14 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-15 09:00 - 16:00
Tour de Blues
Embark on a weekend adventure with the Tour de Blues, presented by PEPSI! This family-friendly event invites skiers and snowboarders of ages 17 and under to explore every blue square run at Mission Ridge.
How It Works:

Pick Up Your Punch Card: Begin at the Guest Services desk inside the Hampton Lodge to receive your Tour de Blues punch card.
Hit the Slopes: Ski or snowboard as many blue runs as you can from 9:30 AM on Saturday until 2:00 PM on Sunday.
Submit Your Card: Turn in your completed punch card to the Guest Services desk in the lower level of the Hampton Lodge by 2:00 PM on Sunday.
Prize Drawing: Attend the prize drawing at 3:00 PM on Sunday in the Ka Wham Cafe, where we’ll randomly select winners for exciting prizes.

Gather your friends and family for a weekend of fun, exploration, and the chance to win prizes. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to the slopes, the Tour de Blues offers a unique way to experience all that Mission Ridge has to offer.
Full schedule with more details Click Here!

WRI Wildlife Tracking: Searching for Nature's Stories
2026-03-15 09:00 - 15:00
Join local tracker Kirk Beckendorf and WRI Community Programs Educator Virginia Shoup for a beginner and family-friendly introduction to wildlife tracking!
Join generations of trackers who have learned to tell the stories of our animal neighbors by studying the signs they leave behind. Even when we don’t see the critters that move through the landscape, their tracks, scat, scratch marks, and more can tell us what they’re doing. Throughout the day we will learn about tracks, gait, and other wildlife signs as we journey through the local area to see what stories wildlife signs can tell us. Our day will be mostly spent outside, with a couple of lessons inside. We will walk around the Wenatchee River Institute campus as well as travel to a couple of other local spots. Depending on group size, there will be the option to ride in the WRI van or carpool to other locations. Locations will be determined closer to the event to allow for the best opportunities, but will be within a 30 minute drive.
Ages: Second grade and up. Adults without kids welcome too!
Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by a participating adult. Please note that we welcome children and recognize that you know your child best. We will spend much of the day outside moving at a slow pace. Children should be able to stay with the group and be comfortable outside in variable weather, as well as be respectful of instructors and learning time.
Registration for this event is required. Limit 20 participants.
Cost is Pay What You Can
$60/person
This option may be for you if you are excited to attend this program and are able to pay the market rate so WRI can offer future programming at affordable rates, including our free events.
$45/person
This option may be for you if you are excited to support WRI, and attending this program doesn’t put a strain on your weekly budget. This covers the break-even cost for WRI to put on this particular program.
$30/person
This option may be for you if your budget is tight, but you still really want to attend this program and support WRI.
Click here for more information and to Register.

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, x5

WRI Red Barn Event: Taking Better Plant Photos
2026-03-19 19:00 - 20:00
Livestream the event or watch it later on YouTube at this link.
No registration required, but RSVP to receive email reminders and updates about this event!
Doors to the Red Barn open at 6:30pm for a community social with beer and wine available for purchase. The presentation will start at 7:00pm.
Jack Mynatt, Tracy Maynard, and Mike Power are avid, long-time hikers, skiers, and amateur photographers. Jack and Tracy are on the board of the Wenatchee Valley chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS). They have been annoying their hiking companions for decades with lengthy stops to take pictures, and now it’s your turn to slow down with them to look and listen.
Jack and Tracy will focus (so to speak) on iPhone photography; Mike uses a DSLR. In addition to showing some pretty pictures, they will discuss a few technical issues, problems and solutions, and make suggestions for taking better shots so you too, can have your photos accepted to the WNPS Calendar.
Photo by Jack Mynatt.
Click here for more information RSVP

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, ext 5

Claim The Cliffs Freeride Competition at Mission Ridge
2026-03-21 07:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-22 07:00 - 17:00
Claim The Cliffs Freeride Competition
Get ready for heartpounding skiing & snowboarding action at Claim the Cliffs, part of the IFSA Freeride Series! Young athletes from across the Northwest will flock to The Ridge to take on the imposing Bomber Cliffs.
The event will take place in the Bowl 5 region of the Bomber Cliffs. The Bomber Cliffs will be closed on the day of the event. Catch all the action from the viewing areas located skier’s left of the Bomber Bowl run, below the Cliffs.
Registration and additional info will be available on the IFSA website.
Full schedule with more details can be found here.

WRI Red Barn Event- Enchantments: What Comes Next?
2026-03-24 19:00 - 20:00
Livestream the event or watch it later on YouTube at this link.
No registration required, but RSVP to receive email reminders and updates about this event!
Doors open at 6:30pm for a community social with beer and wine available for purchase. The presentation will start at 7:00pm.
After a summer of overcrowding and understaffing in The Enchantments, the issue of day use management has reached an inflection point. Will this offseason present an opportunity to make changes along the Icicle Creek corridor, and if so, what will they entail? Hear from Seattle Times outdoors reporter Gregory Scruggs, who covered the issue closely this summer and traveled to Colorado to learn how another mountain town grappled with a similar challenge, along with Mat Lyons, Executive Director of TREAD, who has been working with Chelan County stakeholders on a proposal for alternative transportation options to Enchantments trailheads, and Sarah Shaffer, Executive Director of Wenatchee Outdoors, who will share insights on the on-the-ground work with over 40 volunteers in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, packing out pounds of trash from the Enchantments Wilderness area.
About the presenters:
Gregory Scruggs (he/him) is the outdoors reporter at The Seattle Times, where he writes about the intersection of recreation, land management and the outdoor industry in Washington. His coverage takes him deep into the Cascades and out on the Salish Sea. In 2022, he won the President’s Award in the newspaper category from the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
Mat Lyons (he/him) is the Executive Director of TREAD, a nonprofit that collaborate with all partners to drive sustainable outdoor recreation initiatives in North Central Washington.
Sarah Shaffer (she/her) is the Executive Director of Wenatchee Outdoors, a nonprofit focused on engaging volunteers and the community in stewardship and recreation in North Central Washington.
Click here for more information and to RSVP

CONTACT INFO
Virginia Shoup
vshoup@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org
509-548-0181, ext 5

Bomber Banked Slalom at Mission Ridge
2026-03-28 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-29 08:00 - 17:00
Bomber Banked Slalom
The 13th Annual Bomber Banked Slalom returns March 28th – 29th. This surfy slalom course built by the Mission Ridge Parks Department rests on Katsuk at the summit off of Chair 2. The Bomber Baked Slalom offers 14 different categories competitors will compete in based on age, and complete one run per day. Open to 250 snowboarders, you won’t want to miss this community-driven event.
Registration
Registration emails for legacy riders will be sent at 9:00AM on March 2nd, 2026
Registration for new riders will go live at 9:00AM on March 7th, 2026
Pricing
Riders 17 & under – $40
Riders 18 & up – $65
Check-In Details
We will be hosting an early check-in on Friday, March 27th, at Timberline Brewing from 5:30PM – 7:30PM. Check-in early for a seamless Saturday morning and catch up with old friends!
Saturday, March 28th, check-in will be in the Hampton Lodge between 7:30AM and 8:30AM. There will be no option to check-in after this time.
Reminders
Book your RV spot early to secure your spot!
For questions or interest in volunteering during the course build reach out to events@missionridge.com.
Want to become a sponsors?! Fill out this form and we will be in touch!

CDLT Pets & People Outdoors
2026-04-04 10:00 - 12:00
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust (CDLT) and the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) are hosting the 3rd Annual Pets & People Outdoors. This event aims to build community by creating opportunities for people and their pets to come together and experience the beauty of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust’s protected trails.
Join us for a fun event at Jacobson on April 4, 2026, from 10:00am-12:00pm. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
We will have a marked walking route, FREE food, training stations, veterinarians, and vendor booths.
Donations are welcome. Your donation will help take care of our local trails!
Click Here for more details.
Questions? Contact Ayla, Community Inclusion Coordinator, at ayla@cdlandtrust.org or 509-667-9708.

Dummy Downhill at Mission Ridge
2026-04-04 16:00 - 18:00
Dummy Downhill
Celebrate the start of April with laughs, creativity, and more than a little chaos at Dummy Downhill, Mission Ridge’s most popular event! This beloved tradition invites participants to design their own homemade “dummies” to race down the hill and off a massive jump. The more outrageous, the better. Awards will be given out in multiple categories with some sweet prizes on the line.
Full schedule with details, rules, registration, and prizes coming soon Here.

Easter On The Mountain at Mission Ridge
2026-04-05 07:30 - 11:00
Easter On The Mountain
Celebrate Easter in the mountains with family, friends, and fresh spring turns at Mission Ridge! Join us for a fun-filled day on the slopes that combines your favorite Easter traditions with the beauty of late winter in the Cascades. Enjoy Easter Brunch at the Chair 5 Pub, an on-mountain Easter egg hunt for kids, and more family fun! Let’s hope for sunny skies and perfect corn skiing to top off the celebration.
Full schedule & details coming soon, find this information HERE!
