The downtown streets of Wenatchee will transform into an epic celebration of winter for the annual Rails & Ales. Drawing some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the country, they will compete in the largest annual rail jam competition in the nation for cash prizes and a winning spot on the podium.

Wenatchee’s biggest winter festival takes place Saturday, March 7 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival is filled with epic ski tricks, craft brews, live music and plenty of fun for all ages.

Whether you're coming for the tricks, the tunes, or the snow play, here's your guide to this year’s festival.  

Snow Play & Family Fun

The day kicks off at Centennial Park for Snow Play from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., where fresh snow, delivered straight from Mission Ridge, sets the stage for winter fun for all ages. Families can enjoy hands-on snow play, try out skis and snowboards, and try snowshoeing with the Wenatchee River Institute.  

Food Vendors & Beer Gardens

No winter festival is complete without great food and drinks, and Rails & Ales delivers. Throughout the afternoon and evening, local food vendors will be serving up crowd-pleasing bites to keep you fueled between activities. For guests 21 and over, beer gardens will feature craft brews from Pinnacle Beerworks, Hellbent Brewing, and Timberline Brewing (this beer garden will be family friendly and open to all ages), perfect for warming up and sampling some of the region’s favorite beers while taking in the action.

Live Music

Rails & Ales brings the energy with live music throughout the day and into the evening. This year’s lineup includes 23rd Street kicking things off at 2:30 p.m., Chumlilies at 5 p.m., followed by Buzz Brump at 7:30.

The Main Event: The Rail Jam Competition

The highlight of Rails & Ales is the epic rail jam competition on Orondo Avenue. Starting at 4:30 p.m., skiers and snowboarders from across the U.S throw down their best tricks, battling it out for cash prizes of up to $1,000. Expect high-flying spins and an electric crowd as downtown Wenatchee becomes an urban ski venue like no other. The competition wraps up with an awards presentation at 8 p.m. in Centennial Park.

‍