The Great Lake: Ways to Play
Boating
It doesn’t take much boat-driving experience to rent Bayliners, pontoon boats, or other easy-riding vessels that can tow water-skiers or just serve as a floating beer cooler.
Rentals start at $60 per hour, shorelineofchelan.com
Jet Skiing
The water version of motorcycles are so popular, they create a kind of ubiquitous roar over the lake on summer weekends.
Rentals start at $40 per hour, jetskisahoy.com
Fishing
There’s no Loch Ness–style monster in Chelan, but the water does harbor lake trout and some kokanee, or landlocked sockeye salmon, in its depths; outfitter Terry Allan has guided anglers that caught record-size lake trout.
Trips start at $100, fishlakechelan.com
Ziplining
It takes mere seconds to speed down the 880-foot line Tunnel Zip Lines calls the Gallows, which starts with a trap door and ends with a flight over orchards and vineyards.
$60, tunnelziplines.com
Electric Biking
Anyone over 18 can rent an electric bike that requires minimal pedaling, but guided three-hour tours include stops at swimming holes, a fish hatchery, and a winery.
Rentals start at $40 per hour, tours $70, chelanelectricbikes.com
Parasailing
Picture water-skiing, but replace the skis with a parachute as you’re towed behind a speedboat, ascending 300 feet into the air.
$80, chelanparasail.com
Hiking
The butte that abuts downtown Chelan has trail and jeep tracks that offer lake views (and rattlesnakes), but the three-mile path to the Chelan Dam that leaves from the town’s boat launch includes geologic and historic placards.
Skiing
In winter, the rope tows and Poma lift at Echo Valley will thrill downhill beginners, and a tubing hill and lodge fireplace make the most of a modest mountain less than 10 miles from the lakeshore.
Tubing $10, lifts $25, echovalley.org
Published: August 2013
