Climbing Rock Walls The most popular indoor location for rock climbers is Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI,
which has a huge practice wall in the atrium of their flagship store on
Eastlake Avenue. Stone Gardens also offers classes and practice walls
for members and walk-ins. Stone Gardens
Rock climbing walls, Stone Gardens
Kayaking Lake
Union is the most convenient point, being so close to downtown and its
Ship Canal links to Lake Washington and Shilshole. When there’s no wind,
the currents are barely an issue even for novices. More adventurous
river-runners find their rapid transit in challenging whitewater courses
closer to the mountains.
Sea kayaks, Lake Union
Skiing & Snowboarding Seattleites
wait anxiously for the first large snowfall that carpets ski runs in
the Cascades. Crystal Mountain, Alpental, Snoqualmie Pass, and Stevens
Pass attract faithful downhill and crosscountry skiers, and boarders who
have honed their skills on the area’s famously challenging snow
conditions. Burke-Gilman Trail The
legacy of two of Seattle’s earliest railroad men, Judge Thomas Burke
and Daniel Gilman, this disused railroad track is a paved trail
that stretches for about 22 miles (35 km) from the western edge of
Fremont to the north end of Lake Washington. Cyclists and pedestrians
can enjoy the scenic beauty of key sights such as GasWorks Park and Magnuson Park at Sand Point. Colman Pool An
alternative to cold, inhospitable Puget Sound is a dip in Colman Pool.
It uses heated and filtered saltwater drawn from Puget Sound, which it
overlooks from its convenient beach location within Lincoln Park. Highland Ice Arena There’s
only one open-all-year ice rink that serves Seattle. It entertains
legions of loyal customers including graceful figure skaters, daredevil
hockey skaters, and families with young children just starting to learn
the ropes. Snowshoe Treks A
new trend in wintertime sports is snowshoeing, an ancient method of
walking on or through the white stuff. The National Park Service and
local outfitters offer a series of guided walks. Beginners should start
with an experienced professional guide to lead the outing. Scuba Diving For
an adventurous sport opt for scuba diving in Puget Sound to discover
undersea creatures such as wolf eels, octopus, sea stars, and urchins
with amazing ranges of size and color. Divers embark solo or as part of
chartered excursions to take advantage of the coastline that’s never
victim to heavy damage or dangerous currents from Pacific Ocean storms. Windsurfing For
one of the country’s premier windsurfing meccas, you’ll have to go to
Hood River, Oregon, in the Columbia River Gorge. If extreme sports are
not your style, Seattle has two prime locations for all who want to let
the wind sweep them away — along the west shores of Lake Washington,
between Magnuson Beach and Seward Park; and at Golden Gardens Park where
Shilshole Bay meets Puget Sound. Cycling Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground Many
of Seattle’s in-city parks have decent single tracks for
casual-mountain biking. But for intermediate-level cyclists looking for
small challenges in a great riverside setting, head east across Lake
Washington for Carnation, in the Snoqualmie River valley, east of
Redmond.
A cyclist on Alki Beach
Top 10 Places to Rent Gear
REI This store helped define Seattle as an outdoor recreation mecca. 222 Yale Ave N 206 223 1944
Marmot Mountain Works Stocks supplies for camping, skiing, and rock climbing. Feathered Friends Has a great selection of climbing gear. 119 Yale Ave N 206 292 2210
Agua Verde Café & Paddle Club Rent a kayak or dine on great Mexican food. 1303 NE Boat St 206 545 8570
Moss Bay Rowing & Kayaking Center Offers a variety of kayaks and rowboats. 1001 Fairview Ave N 206 682 2031
Gregg’s Greenlake Cycles Hire ride bikes or inline skates here. 7007 Woodlawn Ave NE 206 523 1822
Alki Crab & Fish Boat and kayak rentals and reasonable seafood on offer. 1660 Harbor Ave SW 206 938 0975
Windworks Sailing Center Rent bareboats, or take sailing lessons. 7001 Seaview Ave NW 206 784 9386
Northwest Outdoor Center Rent kayaks or paddle along the Canal. 2100 Westlake Ave N 206 281 9694
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