Three Saturdays of Gold at Mission Ridge

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, the anticipation for the winter season intensifies. Autumn in the Cascade mountains unfolds as a breathtaking spectacle, with nature’s transition from green to gold. At Mission Ridge, we invite you to partake in this magnificent display at the Tamarack Festival.

Join us for three Saturdays of live music, guided hikes, tasty food, activities for the kids, and more! You can even stick around after the event and camp in the parking lot overnight and enjoy a beautiful sunrise the next morning. The Tamarack Festival will help you immerse yourself in the autumnal charm of Mission Ridge. Nature’s seasonal transformation graces us with its brilliance for several weeks during fall, which is why we are celebrating on three separate days! On October 11th, 18th and 25th we will come together to celebrate the season that heralds the arrival of winter.

Event Schedule

Day 1: October 11th

There’s something for everyone at Tamarack Fest!
Take in the season with guided hikes to Midway and Lake Clara, or join a guided photography hike led by one of Mission Ridge’s talented photographers. Kids can get creative with hands-on fall crafts, while you relax and enjoy live music under the autumn sky. When it’s time to refuel, head over to the Chair 5 Pub for delicious eats and drinks.

11AM – Chair 5 Pub open all day
2PM – Guided Hike to Lake Clara departs
3PM – Guided Midway Hike departs- meet in front of the stationary chair lift
3PM – Nature/Wildlife Photography Class
3PM-6PM – Climb into a Snowcat and learn about snowmaking
3PM-6PM – Kids activity stations
4PM – 6PM – Live music in the Base Area by Micah J
6:30PM – 8:30PM – Live Music inside the Hampton Lodge with Buzz Brump

Day 2: October 18th

Enjoy guided hikes to Midway and Lake Clara, or join a guided photography hike led by one of Mission Ridge’s talented photographers. Kids can get creative with hands-on fall crafts, while you relax and enjoy live music under the autumn sky. When it’s time to refuel, head over to the Chair 5 Pub for delicious eats and drinks.

Plus, don’t miss our two special presentations—one exploring the fascinating world of Larch ecology and the other diving into the rich history of Mission Ridge!

11AM – Chair 5 Pub open all day
2PM – Guided Hike to Lake Clara departs
3PM – Guided Midway Hike departs- meet in front of the stationary chair lift
3PM – Nature/Wildlife Photography Class
3PM-6PM – Climb into a Snowcat and learn about snowmaking
3PM-6PM – Kids activity stations
4PM – 6PM – Live music in the Base Area by Beau Warren
6:30PM – 8:30PM – Live Music inside the Hampton Lodge with AR Band

Day 3: October 25th

Don’t miss the final day of festivities on the mountain as we celebrate the changing season! Join guided hikes to Midway and Lake Clara, or join a guided photography hike led by one of Mission Ridge’s talented photographers. Kids can get creative with hands-on fall crafts, while you relax and enjoy live music under the autumn sky. When it’s time to refuel, head over to the Chair 5 Pub for delicious eats and drinks.
Plus stop by the Ski Patrol booth to pick up valuable mountain safety tips, learn about volunteer opportunities, and more. It’s also the perfect chance to thank our Ski Patrol team for everything they do to keep the mountain safe and fun for everyone!

11AM – Chair 5 Pub open all day
2PM – Guided Hike to Lake Clara departs
3PM – Guided Midway Hike departs- meet in front of the stationary chair lift
3PM – Nature/Wildlife Photography Class
3PM-6PM – Climb into a Snowcat and learn about snowmaking
3PM-6PM – Kids activity stations
4PM – 6PM – Live music in the Base Area by Curtis Roy Moore
6:30PM – 8:30PM – Live Music inside the Hampton Lodge with Black Market Blues Band

Additional Event Information

More Info About The Free Guided Hikes

Join the community fun on a guided hike to enjoy the spectacular views. Choose from a hike to Midway within the ski area or to Lake Clara just outside of the ski area boundaries.

The Midway hike (1.54 miles & 600 feet of elevation gain) is a moderately graded option that follows the Summer Road and will take approximately 1 hour. The hike will leave at 3pm from in front of the Hampton Lodge. Sign up for Midway here.

The hike to Lake Clara (2.8 miles long & 950 feet of elevation gain) is more strenuous and will take about 2 hours. The hike will leave at 2pm from in front of the Hampton Lodge. Sign up for Lake Clara here.

More Information About The Outdoor Photography Class

Join photographers Cameron Hein (Day 1) and Adam Sanders (Day 2 & 3) on a guided photography walk as you explore Mission Ridge, capturing fall photographs. This beginner photography class will help you better understand the functions of your camera to make that leap from “AUTO.” You will also discuss the basics of composition so you can capture some amazing larch landscapes.

Space in each class is limited, and a small $10 registration fee is required for this event. Register here.

Kids Activities Info

Kids of all ages will have a chance to create a variety of free take-home crafts and participate in games. Nature crowns, rock painting, nature walk scavenger hunt, beanbag toss, and horseshoes are on the list of must-dos. Get up close and personal with a Snow Cat (the machine that smoothes out the snow each night) and a Snow Gun (we make our own snow at Mission Ridge!) for a behind-the-scenes look at machines that keep Mission Ridge going in the winter season.