The Hirst Decision of October 2016 brought sweeping changes across the State  of Washington impacting the process one works through to garner a building permit.  In our County of Okanogan the process entailed getting a certification of water availability for any vacant land with no current documented water right, and or a water usage already associated with the subject property. Each vacant land property is unique and the Okanogan Planning Office was left with the burden to figure who did and did not need to get a water certifcation, and if so go through the certification process which could take from three months to five months to make a determination. ...

You do not have to break the bank to have an awesome winter vacation in Methow Valley. This weekend January 26, 27, 2018 Methow Valley is host to great free fun. In the evenings there are a host of fun live music events including tomorrow night January 27, 2018 with Buz Brose free at the Methow Valley Cider House, and Raphael Tranquilino and Leah Tussing at Old School House Brew Pub tonight from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

January 26, 2018 the Mazama Ski Shop is hosting free ski lessons, free ski passes and free ski rentals just to make sure everyone gets hooked on this great recreation Methow Valley offers...

Emily McVicker of Seattle is a one woman show who creates music and sounds with technology adding loops to her great tunes. A one woman band. She will be playing tonight, Friday January 12, 2018 free at Old School House Brew Pub in Winthrop, Washington starting at 6:00 pm.

For this and other great events be sure to visit Old School House Brew Pub in Winthrop Washington.

Although we have low snow conditions and a seemingly endless inversion in Methow Valley, the Methow Valley Sports Trails are open in Mazama, Washington.  The grooming is just amazingly great considering there is so little snow. There are some areas of thin snow, so be careful as you do not want to go crashing down at the start of the season nor scratch up your ski bases unnecessarily. For the most part it is just great zooming along and well worth the trip out to the system in Mazama. 

The Ski shop in Mazama is also open for your one stop ski shopping needs. They have rental equipment, lessons, ski supplies, and ski passes. Everything you will need to get to enjoy the fun...

Early ski season rock skis recommended. Low snow conditions and few trails open to date on the Methow Valley Sports Trails, and Loup Loup Ski Bowl is  not open yet.  But we keep getting more and more snow so it is shaping up to be a great year and in a week or two with a little luck and lots more snow, Methow Valley skiing should be in full swing.

Make sure to get out and enjoy ski fabulous Methow Valley this 2017-2018 season.