President's Week Festivities

Old Schoolhouse Brewery will be open EVERY DAY during President's Week (Friday, Feb 18th thru Sunday, Feb 27).  It's our last big winter weekend and we don't want to miss the fun.  We have live music at the pub with RT Jr. on the 18th and 19th.  If you haven't heard his music before, you're in for a treat.  He has quite a following here in the valley and also nationwide.  Brody Blackburn will play his music also on Friday, Feb 25th.  Brody is a folk/rock musician from Pateros and a pub favorite.

The Methow Valley's Winter Festival is also happening that week. 

The Methow Valley Winter Festival is a ten-day festival celebrating the Methow Valley’s favorite winter activities and vibrant arts and cultural community. Winter activities include: Nordic skiing, biathlon, alpine skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. There are events and activities for every age and skill level. After a full day of playing outdoors, enjoy the many arts and cultural events being held during the Festival. Come see why winter is the Methow Valley’s favorite season!

Event Highlights:

• Methow Arts kicks off the festival Friday, February 18 with an evening of fun and laughter as Jet City Improv brings their live comedy experience to the Winthrop Barn at 7:00 pm.

• Methow Valley Nordic Club hosts the Tour of the Methow, Saturday, February 19. Skiers may choose to ski 20 to 80 kilometers of the Methow Valley’s incredible ski trails in this non-competitive, food and transportation supplied event.

• Sunday, February 20, don’t miss one of the craziest events: the annual Doggy Dash, a 6-legged costumed ski race for dogs and humans. Who will win the coveted “best in show”?

• Author Erik Brooks leads young skiers on a Storyski reading of his book Polar Opposites, Sunday, February 20. Skiers ski a 1km loop while reading large story book pages along the ski trail.

• Former Olympic cross-country skiers, Leslie Hall and Laura McCabe host a two-day Nordic ski camp, February 21-22 offering skiers an incredible opportunity to learn both skate and classic ski technique from two of the most acclaimed cross-country skiers in the nation. Leslie Thompson Hall is a three-time Olympian. Laura McCabe is a two-time Olympian, both women live and ski in the Methow Valley. Registration information can be found at http://www.mvsta.com/winter/documents/SkiFestivalNordicSkiCamp.pdf

• Methow Valley Nordic Team hosts a Cross-Country Ski Camp for youth ages 6-12 years old, February 22-24.

• The Methow Valley Biathlon Team hosts two opportunities for cross-country skiers to “Try Biathlon”. Wednesday, February 23 and Saturday, February 26. This event was the hit of last year’s festival. Don’t miss this great opportunity to test your skill at two different disciplines, skiing and shooting!

• Winthrop Physical Therapy hosts a three-day Women’s Ski and Yoga Retreat February 25-27.

• Torchlight Ski, Friday February 25. Ski from dusk to 8pm on the ski the trails of Mazama by torchlight, presented by the Methow Conservancy

• Cowboy Races, Saturday February 26. Try your hand at roping cattle while on skis! Learn from some of the Methow Valley’s finest ranchers and ropers. This is another very unique Methow Valley event, perfect for the whole family.

• Guided Snowshoe Hikes, February 19, 20 and 26. Free, Naturalist-led snowshoe tours held at Sun Mountain and Mazama.

• Alpine ski or snowboard daily at Loup Loup .

• Ice skating and hockey daily at the Winthrop Ice Rink.

The entire schedule of events for the Winter Festival can be found at http://www.mvsta.com/winter/winterfestival.html

The Methow Valley Winter Festival is presented in part by the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association and the Methow Valley Community.

The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting environmentally sound recreation on or near the trail system in the Methow Valley. The trail system includes over 200 kilometers of groomed trails and is recognized as one of the finest trail systems in North America for cross-country skiing, mountain biking and hiking.

Hope to see you here!