Spring Wine and Brew Festival, April 28!
The 3rd Annual “On the Road to Paradise” Spring Wine and Brew Festival will be held in Ashford on April 28. Westwood is still available for that weekend, and it’s a great time to attend the event and also explore all that Mount Rainier has to offer.
The Mount Rainier Visitors Association will provide one free ticket to the event to our guests, and Westwood will provide a second ticket. The event entry includes a wine glass, 10 tasting tickets, appetizers and live music.
As an added bonus, the festival coincides with fee-free week, April 21-28, at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Please phone Westwood at 360-569-2860 for more details, or go ahead and reserve on line at www.westwoodchalet.com for a weekend of fun at Mount Rainier!
Spring Fun in the Snow at Paradise!
Grandsons on a snowshoeing adventure above Paradise!
This spring promises to be another great opportunity for sun, snow and crisp mountain air – the perfect formula for snowshoeing and back country skiing near Paradise.
Westwood is located just 200 yards from the main (Paradise) entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The chalet has a wonderful hot tub on the private back deck, and the entire cabin is surrounded by woods. Come up for a quiet escape for two or for a chance to play in the snow with family and friends. Westwood welcomes children of all ages.
April Special: Reserve any two consecutive weeknights (Sunday through Thursday) and receive a 10% discount.
Snowshoe at Paradise
We are looking forward to accumulating snow at Paradise and snowshoeing season! Westwood provides 2 sets of snow shoes and poles to guests. Make reservations now for fun in the snow!
Equipment: For an enjoyable snowshoe walk, you will need
- snowshoes: Westwood provides 2 pairs, and additional sets can be rented in the area.
- hat
- mittens
- suitable boots
- sunscreen
- sunglasses
December Special: Weeknight rates through December 8 have been reduced to $140 for the first 2 persons. Additional persons are $20 per person. Come on up and relax or play in the snow!
Plan a visit to Westwood Chalet this winter and enjoy the winter wonderland at Mount Rainier National Park! Westwood is a charming cabin in the woods, just outside the paradise entrance to the Park! It’s the perfect home base for your hiking or snowshoeing adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family escape to the mountains. We have a wonderful hot tub on the private back deck, barbecue and picnic table, full kitchen, cozy gas stove for cool evenings, and sleeping arrangements for up to 8 persons, including a master king suite. We welcome families with children of all ages. Also, couples often stay at Westwood for a quiet getaway in the forest, complete with a private hot tub on the back deck under the stars. We have WIFI, DVD, VCR, and a great collection of children’s and general interest videos.
Snow at Paradise!
Fresh snow and sunshine at Paradise
The snow is falling at Paradise, promising another winter wonderland! Fall and early winter dates are still available at Westwood Chalet, the perfect home base just 200 yards from the Paradise entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. Come on up, relax by the dancing flames of the cozy gas stove, enjoy the private hot tub on the back deck, and venture into the Park for an enchanting mini-vacation.
We look forward to seeing you at Mount Rainier!
Wildfowers at Rainier
The view above was taken last weekend on the Tatoosh ridgeline just east of Castle Peak. The flowers are glorious on all the ridges and meadows around Mount Rainier! Plan a trip to experience the spectacular colors and the intoxicating fragrances.
Just below see Castle Peak rising above the skyline.
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Summer in Paradise!
On Friday afternoon, August 19, we ventured up to Paradise and hiked to Panorama Point. It was an amazing trip, as the weather was perfect, and the views and wildflowers just got better and better as we progressed! We were on snow for perhaps two-thirds of the way, but it was easy walking, as the snow is compact and the way is well-marked. On the side of Panorama, where the snow has long been baked off, we caught a marmot grazing on the new vegetation, grabbed a shot of the glorious lupine clinging to the rocks, and snapped a shot of Burke coming around the corner, with the mountain in the background in all its glory.
About those marmots: we saw at least two dozen during the hike – no kidding! They are chasing each other all over the meadows, and we are hoping for a warm and sunny fall so that they can be fat and ready when the first snows fly!
Snowshoes available for Westwood guests!
We skied to Panorama Point on our cross-country skis on Sunday. It was a glorious sunny crisp day, and there were many snowshoers and sledders in the Paradise area. I especially loved the smiling faces of the under-ten set at the snow-play area. Alas, I forgot my camera, so I have inserted a vintage photo of our beloved mountain above, and below is a greeting card created by Burke’s mother, Marybelle Hall, who grew up just down the street from the current site of Westwood Chalet.
Come on up – the winter sports are spectacular, and we have a couple of pairs of snowshoes and poles for use by Westwood guests. (Additional pairs can be rented in the area, if needed.)
Visitwww.westwoodchalet.com and book on line or phone us at 800-820-9962.
Winter Wonderland at Paradise
An early morning view from the Paradise Visitor Center:
he snow is accumulating, and it’s a great time for a retreat at Westwood, a charming cabin in the woods, just outside the Paradise entrance to the Park. It’s the perfect home base for your hiking or snowshoeing adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family escape to the mountains. Westwood has a wonderful hot tub on the private back deck, a marvelous place to warm up and wind down after fun in the snow!
Visit www.westwoodchalet.com and book on line or phone us at 800-820-9962.
Winter Fun at Mount Rainier!
It’s that time of year again! Fresh snow is falling at Paradise. We are dreaming once more of snowshoeing, skiing, and grand fun in the snow! The photo above shows our son Kerry on a high country ski adventure on a bluebird day in years past.
We are anticipating another winter wonderland for the winter of 2010-11! Stay tuned for updates. There are still plenty of nights available to come to Westwood for a retreat from the city. Westwood is a charming cabin in the woods, just outside the Paradise entrance to the Park. It’s the perfect home base for your hiking or snowshoeing adventure, a romantic getaway, or a family escape to the mountains. We have a wonderful hot tub on the private back deck, barbecue and picnic table, full kitchen, cozy gas stove for cool evenings, and sleeping arrangements for up to 8 persons, including a master king suite. We welcome families with children of all ages. Also, couples often stay at Westwood for a quiet getaway in the forest, complete with a private hot tub on the back deck under the stars. We have WIFI, DVD, VCR, and a great collection of children’s and general interest videos.
Visit www.westwoodchalet.com and book on line or phone us at 800-820-9962.
Springtime at Westwood Chalet!
The woodland plants are springing up at Westwood, as shown in the redwood sorrel photo below left. Strolls along the paths at Westwood (see below right) or on any lower elevation trail will reward the visitor with awakening greenery of spring. On a hike through the forest between 2,000 and 3,000 elevation yesterday (April 25), we were enveloped in emerging plants and a grand display of Fairy’s Slippers! (See center photo below.)
Meanwhile, Paradise still has 13 feet of snow, so you can have the best of both worlds. Come on up, enjoy springtime at the lower elevations, and then make the trip to Paradise to enjoy the incredible views, snowshoe, or backcountry ski!
Please see our website atwww.westwoodchalet.com for immediate availability and secure on-line booking, or phone 800-820-9962.