Treat Your Loved One to a Suncadia Weekend

When Charlie and I booked a getaway weekend at Suncadia Resort last month, we planned on cross country skiing, snow shoeing, tubing, and ice skating. After all, for us a good time away typically involves a trail run, bicycle ride, or something equally vigorous.

Mother Nature thought otherwise, though.

Abnormally warm winter temperatures in the Roslyn area turned a winter wonderland into slush and rain. Charlie and I quickly realized we would have to resort to Plan B. 

But when Plan B involves seafood dinner in the lodge, massages at the spa, soaking in outdoor hot tubs, and visiting a winery, life ain’t too shabby. We happily abandoned our notions of athleticism and gave in to pure relaxation.

Regardless of the weather outside, Suncadia Resort offers ample entertainment and indulgence for couples seeking a romantic getaway. Check out the resort for a Valentines Day treat, or simply book a weekend away for relaxation anytime this winter and spring.

Just 80 miles east of Seattle on I-90, Suncadia makes for an easy two or three day trip. We left Seattle after work on a Friday afternoon, spent that evening and the next day at Suncadia, and drove back to the city Saturday night.

Visitors could just as easily fill an entire week there. Over the past five years, the resort has been steadily adding to its long roster of activities. We didn’t have time to take a snowmobile ride, cook S’mores in an outdoor fire pit, or whiz down a waterslide into a heated pool. We could also imagine the fantastic trail running and golfing that could fill one’s vacation itinerary come spring, once the snow and ice has melted from the ground.

We did, however, sample enough activities to gather a taste for the good life at Suncadia. Weary from the long work week upon arrival Friday evening, we happily sunk into the sofa in our room at Suncadia Lodge. While waiting for our dinner reservation, we nibbled on the cheese, fruit and cracker plate placed on the kitchen counter to welcome us.

For dinner, we ventured downstairs to Portals, where chef Andrew Wilson had created a seasonal menu around wild game. Charlie went with the theme and selected the elk, while I opted for Wilson’s year-round personal favorite, (and a nod to his Asian heritage), the kasu sake sea bass.

While couples much like us filled many of the tables in Portals’ dining room, families with children formed a large contingency. Suncadia may offer a romantic escape for some, but the lodge is also decidedly, and proudly, family friendly. As such, Portals throws in kid friendly items on the menu, like macaroni and cheese and quesadillas. Couples need note that if they opt to dine in the lodge, they won’t be far from children.

Our pint-sized neighbors didn’t bother us, though, and after gobbling up bread pudding and rich chocolate cake, we headed upstairs to retire for the evening.

The next morning, we decided to tour Suncadia’s grounds in daylight by going for a run. (Trail shoes on our feet, in an effort to grab as much traction on the melting ice as possible.)

The tour, while scenic, confirmed that the snow conditions were nowhere near good enough to even attempt cross country skiing, tubing, snow shoeing, or ice skating. In fact, they’d closed down the outdoor skating rink the day prior after rain ruined the ice, and the crew told us they doubted they’d have it up and running at all that day.

Undeterred, we instead bought espresso and breakfast sandwiches from the lodge café and then headed to yoga class at Suncadia’s Swim and Fitness Center. It wasn’t hard to escape into a Zen mode in the yoga studio, with its warm wood floor and wall of windows looking out onto snow and trees.

Next up after yoga was Glade Spring Spa, where we’d each booked hour-long massages. My winter seasonal massage included peppermint and chocolate infused body oil from Seattle’s own Theo Chocolate. As someone who typically only springs for massages when I’m in pain after a marathon race, this seemed quite luxurious.

After the personal pampering, we spent the next couple of hours lounging around the spa’s wood sauna and outdoor cold and hot tubs. We alternated between nearly falling asleep in the piping hot rock pool and then charging in for a dip brisk in the cold pool.

By the time we’d left the spa, the rain had begun in full force, and we realized our chances of any afternoon outdoor fun were slim to nil. We decided to focus on our stomachs instead.

We ventured to Suncadia’s Swiftwater Cellars, where visitors can amble up to the wine bar and taste a sampling of Columbia Valley wines. We sat in the dining room to take advantage of the full menu. From our table, we could see the rain drenched winery lawn, which our waitress told us would become the site of summer concerts.

We left Suncadia on Saturday evening thoroughly worn out from a full day of complete relaxation. As we drove away, we couldn’t help but think of our next visit. After all, there remained ski trails to explore and hills to slide down. Pools to swim in. Rinks to skate on. And, come spring and summer, a warm outdoor escape in the rainshadow of the Cascades.

If you go: From Sammamish, drive east on I-90 to the Roslyn/Salmon La Sac exit. (Exit 80) Turn left at the exit onto Bullfrog Road and follow the signs to Suncadia.

Editor's note: Heidi Dietrich is editor of Edmonds Patch.