Story from 7 Cedars Casino: Holiday lights and winter fun abound on the Olympic Peninsula
Sage Salvo,
for 7 Cedars
Even for enthusiastic runners, venturing out onto the pitch-black Olympic Discovery Trail on a chilly winter night might not seem like the most appealing prospect — unless 7 Cedars' holiday lights happen to be on display.
Transforming the Olympic Peninsula resort into a winter wonderland has become a festive tradition and massive annual undertaking for its owners, the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe. This year, technicians will spend weeks twining 3.5 million LED lights around tree branches and along architectural silhouettes to illuminate the resort and nearby tribal campus buildings in a breathtaking display of light and color. At night, the twinkling glow reflects into the dark waters of Sequim Bay, creating a luminescent effect that resembles the shifting lights of an aurora borealis.
Against the pitch-darkness of the surrounding wilderness, the night view is spectacular — and for many adventurous joggers, more than enough reason to participate in an evening race. On Saturday, Dec. 7th, joggers will pick up their headlamps, don reflective clothing and embark on an out-and-back course along the Olympic Discovery Trail, taking in the sparkling nighttime views as they go.
'The view is indescribable,' said Judy Walz, Marketing Director at 7 Cedars. 'Against the pitch darkness of the wilderness, the lights create this wintery, welcoming ambiance that feels almost magical. If you're up for an adventure, a nighttime 5K seems like the perfect way to enjoy the sights.'
Click here for your chance to win a free night stay at 7 Cedars and a $100 dinner voucher!
That sense of festive adventure, Walz said, is what makes 7 Cedars an ideal destination for anyone seeking a more exploratory wintertime getaway.
'Hot cocoa, holiday movies, sitting by the fire with a good book — those traditions are fun and festive, but you can do them at home,' she said. 'At 7 Cedars, we want to give people the opportunity to experience everything the Olympic Peninsula has to offer during the winter season. You come for the lights, but you'll discover a whole lot more.'
Located about two hours out of Seattle and nestled beside the Olympic State Park, 7 Cedars offers a comfortable home base for anyone who needs a long weekend away from the daily grind or holiday bustle. Avid skiers, for example, can spend a day on the slopes of Hurricane Ridge, a mile-high mountain that boasts spectacular wintertime vistas and some of the best skiing in the Pacific Northwest. Or, vacationers might take advantage of the resort's award-winning golf courses, which, thanks to the Olympic Rain Shadow effect, are some of the driest in the Pacific Northwest.
Plus, there's plenty of quaint holiday charm to enjoy in 7 Cedars' hometown of Sequim. On Nov. 30th, the community will officially kick off the winter season with a holiday celebration, hosting a tree-lighting ceremony, Santa meet-and-greet, vendor marketplace and even a tractor cruise. Throughout the winter season, visitors are welcome to stop by the town center to take in Sequim's enormous decorated tree or spot giant wreaths on the Old River Bridge. Aspiring gift shoppers can even foray into neighboring Port Townsend to explore charming shops and restaurants.
But that's not all; holiday cheer abounds back at 7 Cedars, too. The resort sets up a Santa photo booth every year, welcoming guests and community members alike to take pictures with Kris Kringle and his sleigh. In the lobby, guests can look over employee-made gingerbread houses, which are submitted by hotel departments for a competition and displayed through December.
'Everyone gets into the spirit around here,' Walz said. 'The lights and events create a lot of holiday excitement for guests, locals and employees.'
To help fuel that holiday mood, 7 Cedars is holding a date-night sweepstakes to give one wintertime guest a hotel night stay and a $100 dinner voucher, which can be used at either of the resort's full-service restaurants. The first, House of Seven Brothers, is located at the main resort and offers exceptional seafood and beef dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The second, Double Eagle Steak and Seafood, can be found on 7 Cedars' golf course and provides fresh, seasonal seafood and crab fare.
'At 7 Cedars, we take a 'choose-your-own-adventure' approach to holiday getaways,' Walz said. 'We want you to enjoy whatever winter activities relax and excite you, whether that's hitting the slopes, exploring local festivities, enjoying a delicious meal or taking in the view of the holiday lights over Sequim Bay.
'There's no wrong way to take a wonderful winter vacation out here,' She concluded.
For more information about 7 Cedars' accommodations and offerings, please visit7cedars.com.
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