Winter is an unassuming time for a getaway to Yakima Valley. Temperatures dip below freezing and typically don’t break high 40s from December to February. This time of year also welcomes an average of 18 inches of snow accumulation! However, this cold winter climate shouldn’t deter you from visiting. Winter in Yakima features nearby winter sports, holiday celebrations, and exciting annual events. As locals, we spend all year in Yakima Valley. Read on to find out our favorite ways to spend the winter season here.
Request a copy of our complimentary Travel Guide for more ideas on how to spend any season in Yakima. This resource is brimming with innkeeper-selected recommendations on how to make the most of your getaway!
Top 3 Things to Do During Winter in Yakima
Visit White Pass Ski Area
A visit to White Pass Ski Area is a winter sports lover’s dream! This ski area is exactly an hour’s drive from Yakima, WA, making it an ideal day trip destination. Here, visitors can choose to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, and more!
Novice and expert athletes alike can enjoy perfecting their skillset thanks to White Pass’s group and private lessons! Whether you need to get your bearings on the board or hone in on your existing skills, this ski resort near Yakima has something for you! Reward yourself after a day on the slopes with a drink at our favorite Yakima, Washington, breweries.
Light Up Your Getaway With Holiday Displays
Winter is the most wonderful time of the year! Take advantage of Yakima Valley’s enchanting holiday-themed events and festivals this year. Yakima offers a few holiday light displays that begin as early as the first weekend in December.
Our favorite holiday event in downtown Yakima is the Annual Christmas Lights Parade! For 19 years, distinguished floats ride alone Yamina Avenue for surrounding crowds to admire. The parade proceeds down Yakima Avenue until they reach their final destination at the Community Christmas Tree. Here, guests can take part in a tree lighting ceremony. This year’s event will be held on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The 31st Annual Lighted Farm Implement Parade in downtown Sunnyside, WA, less than an hour from Yakima Valley, features several floats and lighted farming equipment that celebrate this area’s agriculture. This year’s celebration will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a Wine and Chocolate Tasting
If there’s one thing you can’t miss during your winter in Yakima, it’s wine! Our area is an oasis of vineyards that produce 40 percent of the state’s grapes used for winemaking. The Annual Red Wine and Chocolate event celebrates this bounty! Join us at area tasting rooms from Feb. 14-17, 2020 for a week of delectable pairings. The event page linked above even has a wine and chocolate pairing guide, so you can create your own duo with a bottle of wine from local Yakima, Washington, wineries.
Cozy Up at Birchfield Manor Inn & Restaurant
Spend the chilly winter in Yakima at Birchfield Manor! Our Yakima, Washington, bed and breakfast boasts cozy rooms with elegant touches, first-class amenities, and a 5-star restaurant. Consider a stay in our Jenny Room this winter! This guest room in the manor house features a king-size bed, private bath with double whirlpool tub, cozy window seat with stunning views, and full-plated breakfast each morning.
Check our availability and start planning your trip today!