Leavenworth Winter Sport Club models sustainable outdoor recreation for future generations

Long before the Bavarian theme put Leavenworth on the map, the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club established the town as a hub for winter recreation.

Forming in 1928, the club laid the foundation for Leavenworth’s winter sports scene. Within just a few years, it was hosting ski jumping tournaments at the present-day Ski Hill. As competitions grew – featuring record-breaking jumps and national championships – so did LWSC. 

Over the decades, the nonprofit expanded into multiple sites across town, offering affordable access to outdoor sports while building a culture rooted in volunteerism and care for the land. Trail management focuses on minimal erosion and impact, community events prioritize locally sourced goods and composting, and stewardship and education is incorporated into activities.

“We really care about fostering a love of the natural world, and we really see that with our community. The entire community rallies around and tries to have lifelong stewardship, and that's what we try to promote,” said LWSC Executive Director Murray Bartholomew.

As LWSC has built a community invested in environmental protection and outdoor recreation, the city of Leavenworth has simultaneously transformed into a booming tourist destination, bringing new pressures on outdoor recreation and resources.

As Bartholomew views it, these pressures don’t have to be a side effect of tourism, but an opportunity to lean into sustainable outdoor recreation as an industry: investing in shoulder seasons can relieve the pain points of peak seasons, education can increase awareness and advocacy, and sharing human-powered sports can promote sustainable lifestyles.

“I do believe that experiences in nature lead to an appreciation of nature, which in turn, can create advocacy,” said Bartholomew.

Bartholomew speaks from experience. Prior to joining LWSC, he spent 20 years working with countries around the world to develop and promote nature-based tourism.

“The reason that governments around the world are paying attention to nature-based tours is that they're very low impact on the environment, and they can actually end up protecting the environment and also [generate] revenue for locals,” said Bartholomew.

For instance, he recalls one river guide telling his enthusiastic customers about the plans for a dam on the river they just rafted, and how they could take action. The messaging resulted in tens of thousands of letters generated to protect the river.

“You're really helping to share the message about lifelong stewardship and trying to care about these places that we're protecting here,” said Bartholomew. “As we allow more people to experience nature, they become advocates to protect these places.”

That philosophy is already playing out in the Leavenworth community. Through LWSC, kids get to experience wildlife like hearing great horned owls while they ski, community members who were once hesitant to try skiing now compete in events, and generations of families return year after year to volunteer, participate in events, or simply enjoy the trails. 

While outdoor recreation can instill a sense of lifelong stewardship, it's also an economic driver. These experiences also draw visitors who dine at local restaurants, support small businesses, and sustain jobs tied to recreation.

“The research is showing more and more that the person who comes to enjoy outdoor experiences is actually a high value traveler…and that's where, I think, there's a lot of untapped potential for us as a community, is realizing that the outdoor recreationalists are can make a profound impact in our local economy and help create jobs,” said Bartholomew.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media