Discover Loup Loup Ski Bowl: A Budget-Friendly Spot for Family Skiing

Nestled between Twisp and Okanogan in Washington’s Methow Valley lies a winter wonderland where kids ski free, hot chocolate won’t break the bank and non-skiers also have their pick for winter fun. Loup Loup Ski Bowl is one of Washington’s hidden gems for families seeking a relaxed, friendly and affordable winter getaway. Friends of mine had been singing Loup Loup’s praises for years, and last winter we finally made the trip. Within minutes of hitting the slopes, we understood exactly why families treasure this lesser-known mountain destination. 

History of Loup Loup 

Loup Loup Ski Bowl has been a beloved local ski hill for generations. Skiing at “The Loup” began in the 1930s, when local enthusiasts hiked up the mountain and made their own runs. By the late 1940s, the community rallied to establish a more formal ski area. Over the years, volunteers, donations and local partnerships led to the installation of the first rope tow, followed later by a Poma lift, and finally a chairlift in 1998 that transformed the mountain into a small but vibrant ski destination. You can see red and blue plaques on the lift tower and chairs dedicated to the many volunteers who transported and installed the chairlift, piece by piece, to its new home. 

Unlike many ski areas that grew into corporate resorts, The Loup has remained a nonprofit community-run ski hill. The Loup Loup Ski Education Foundation, established in 1982, still prides itself on being an education nonprofit that runs a ski hill. Local skiers, volunteers and supporters continue to sustain its operations, ensuring it remains affordable and family-friendly. 

Today, Loup Loup Ski Bowl features 16 cut runs, 1,240 vertical feet, groomed Nordic trails, a luge course, tubing and a cozy lodge. With its rich history of grassroots support, The Loup is more than just a ski hill; it is a reflection of the region’s community spirit. 

Why Loup Loup should be in your winter plans

As a mom who is often solo with two kids on the slopes, I particularly value a small, affordable, easy-to-navigate ski locale like Loup Loup. Here is what I loved and why I plan to return.

•  Kids 15 and younger ski free. Thanks to incredible community-led fundraising, Loup Loup now offers free lift tickets to anyone 15 and younger when accompanied by a paying adult. When we skied Loup Loup last year, I was thrilled that kids 12 and younger ski free, but something even better was in the works. A big, hand-drawn fundraising tracker hung proudly in the lodge to show off the success of community efforts in increasing the age to 15 for the 2025–26 season.
• Parking is free and walkable. At ages 7 and 10, my kids now carry their gear from the car but when we ski other places, it’s usually a decision between paying for a locker, carrying lunches in my backpack or facing the trek back to the car midday. Not at Loup Loup. There is one main parking lot immediately adjacent to the ski hill here. Parking is free, and even its farthest spots are walkable to the ticket booth, gear rental building and lodge; no need to plan in shuttle times or schlep everything you need for the day in one trip!
• Food is affordable. Hot dogs for close to $5 are unheard of at most ski resorts, but not so at The Wolf Den Day Lodge. You’ll also find breakfast sandwiches, baked potatoes, soup and much more, all reasonably priced and good quality. Coffee, beer and wine are also sold and the après-ski happy hour menu gets a bit fancier with items like spring rolls and fried pickles. How about some bacon-wrapped dates for around $10? At these prices, I was happy to meet requests for hot chocolate with an enthusiastic “yes” throughout the day.
• Lift lines are reliably short. Long lift lines can really put a damper on an otherwise fun day but not at Loup Loup. Here you’ll find one quad chairlift, a Poma lift and one rope tow. Lines move quickly, and lifties send you off with a smile. The Poma — a seat much like you’d find on a zip line, connected to a large cable above — was new to us and a great thrill as it zipped us up the “bigger than a bunny hill” Jr. Poma. When you go, cut across the hill at the top to the woods and be on the lookout for the woodland creatures hidden along the trail.
• There’s plenty of beginner terrain. From the rope-tow beginner “bunny hill” to multiple runs off the lift, Loup Loup offers 16 official runs (with plenty of make-your-own-adventure tree trails) with seven rated as “beginner.” I love how this gives new skiers plenty of options to explore new terrain within their skills. Both of my kids are proficient skiers but one prefers to craft his own routes in the trees while the other likes to repeat the same run and practice side jumps to perfection. Loup Loup suited us well because options were plentiful off the same base run.
• All routes end in a centralized location. Loup Loup feels particularly accessible to families because all activities start and end in the same place. If you have older kids who want a bit of freedom or are visiting with a big group, Loup Loup is ideal because reconnecting is so easy. My 10-year-old loved heading up the chairlift with friends, while my 7-year-old was thrilled to be left to his own devices to do as many loops on the Jr. Poma hill as he wanted. At one point, another mom and I sat in Adirondack chairs facing the hill and had an entire uninterrupted conversation while we watched our kids ski to their hearts’ content. Imagine!
• Activities for non-skiers. Loup Loup offers tubing, one-of-a-kind luge sledding and Nordic (cross-country) skiing for non-skiers or for those who just want to experience more of the mountain. We didn’t make it to the tubing hill or test out the Nordic trails during our visit, but the luge is something not to be missed.

More to enjoy beyond alpine skiing 

If you aren’t a big downhill ski family, there are other options to keep you busy for a day or more. 

Bear Mountain Luge Sledding, the only natural alpine luge in the Pacific Northwest, offers a truly unique thrill for even the most adventurous families. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that you can only do in one other place in the U.S. (Michigan). We absolutely loved this experience. During the 2 1/2-hour adventure, you’ll receive expert instruction and practice before taking an open-air snowcat trip up the mountain to sled down progressively speedier and longer runs over 2.5 miles, back to the base. It costs $50 per person, and children ages 6–9 must ride with an adult. My then 9-year-old desperately wanted his own sled and the instructors let him test out a solo sled with success. There is a learning curve, but the instruction was excellent. This is everything you want sledding to be, and by the end you’ll be begging for another run down the mountain. While walk-up space may be available, it is highly recommended to book ahead online to ensure your slot. 

Wild Wolf Tubing Hill is a fun and easy option for kids, open on weekends and select holidays. It costs $13 per person, which includes the tube rental and access to the tubing hill. Riders must be at least 42 inches to use the hill. Only tubes provided on-site are permitted. 

Nordic skiers can find groomed cross-country trails at both North Summit (shared with luge sledding) and South Summit (50 km of dog-friendly terrain nearby). Pay a $15 per day fee for North Summit trail access, or $27 per day for a Sno-Park Permit for South Summit routes. Season passes are also available. 

Getting there 

In winter conditions, plan on five to six hours of drive time from downtown Seattle to Loup Loup via 90 to 97 north toward Wenatchee/Chelan. From 97 take state Route 20 west to the top of Loup Loup Pass, turn right onto NF-4200/100, and drive 1.5 miles to the main parking lot. 

Where to stay 

The closest towns include Okanagan (18 miles) and Omak to the east or Twisp (14 miles) and Winthrop to the west. Loup Loup partners with the Best Western Plus in Omak or Casia Lodge and Ranch in Twisp for lodging discounts. Mention your ski plans for current deals.