How to escape the winter in Olympia (Spokane, Yakima: living in, professionals)

[kurlos]

I just moved to Olympia a few weeks ago, and I'd like some suggestions on some ways to cope with the winter that I'm anticipating. I'm under the impression that if you go to the east side of the mountains--like Ellensburg--it isn't quite so dreary, rainy, and overcast. Is this true? And, if so, are there nice cities or places on the east side of the mountains that are under a 4 hour drive away? Thanks

[cvanripe10]

Spokane is east, not sure how far of a drive and not sure if it's nice. I'm also trying to find info on Spokane

[scirocco22]

Most central Washington locations will be within a 4 hours of Olympia. Spokane will be about 5 hours depending on the road conditions.

However, my experience living in Ellensburg and the Tri-Cities, is that winters will often bring foggy weather. You'll definitely get less rain and moisture but there may be the slight possibility of having some snow over there too. Also, the hassle of going across the mountains in the winter will also put a damper on trying to do a weekend getaway to the east side of the mountains.

[Ultrarunner]

I know several business professionals working in Olympia that vacation somewhere warm and tropical mid January every year...

It is very easy to fly out of SeaTac... try the Islands or Mexico for a quick get away.

[scirocco22]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

I know several business professionals working in Olympia that vacation somewhere warm and tropical mid January every year...

It is very easy to fly out of SeaTac... try the Islands or Mexico for a quick get away.

There ya go!

...or even somewhere in the desert southwest. I always thought that places like Laughlin or Lake Havasu would be crowded during the winter but the winter is actually their off-season as I was told during a recent trip through that area.

[WendyK]

I was gonna suggest a trip to Hawaii - it seems like that's where everyone from around here goes for a dose of warmth and sunshine. FYI Spokane has some sunny winter days, but you can't depend on them...we do get a lot of fog and gray days, too. More of a dry cold than the west side of the state. Washington winters are why coffee stands are on every corner.

[Xenobion]

Eastside of the Mountains have a more Continental type of climate similar to the east coast. So you get more extreme summers as well as extreme winters. But with that said there are entertaining areas if you enjoy a more outdoor feel to escaping winters. Yakima is claimed to be the "Palm Springs of Washington." As hilarious as that sounds it does have decent golf year round. Lake Chelan is a lovely recreation area but I think it gets a bit colder as well. If its rain you are trying to escape there is a "Rain Shadow" east of the Olympics near areas like Shelton and Squim where the rain is dropped on the Rain Forest and doesn't accumulate until it goes over the Hood Canal and Kitsap Peninsula and further north.

[xboxmas]

The east side is freezing in the winter. Don't count on any warm weather until March(at the very earliest), usually April though.

[Sandy Nelson]

Kurlos,
I also live in Olympia and I try to thoroughly enjoy the winter. I drive up to Mount Rainier to go snowing, and I'm heading east to Leavenworth this weekend, to hopefully catch some snow. For a sun break I would recommend a getaway to Las Vegas, or Arizona.

Sandy

[cobolt]

Yes, take sun breaks---trips to the SW or Mexico, Hawaii--you can find some deals come Jan and Feb, after the holidays. Lots of peeps take a week off work between Jan-March to sun somewhere.