Washington: The Shadow Of The Cascades -
Washington's combined 10 resorts equal hundreds of lifts and runs, and miles of Nordic ski trails to explore all in the shadow of the Cascade range and beyond.
The northern scenery astounds and the views from the peaks inspire. Here's the best part: It takes less than two hours to get to any of the resorts from major cities.
Crystal Mountain, just 76 miles from Seattle, on the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park, is Washington's ski gem. When conditions are right and ski patrol gives the green light, nearly 1,000 acres of inbounds backcountry terrain open to the most adventurous riders. Trees, bowls, chutes await and when it's over there's a shuttle to take you back to the base area.
The Summit at Snoqualmie. 52 miles east of Seattle, is Washington's largest resort and yet it's actually four separate ski areas: Alpental, Summit West (Snoqualmie), Summit Central (Ski Acres), and Summit East (Hyak).
Seattle locals sprint to these spots any day of the week, bailing on congestion and to be carving it up on the slopes in less than 75 minutes. The low, 3,000-foot elevation makes for less than ideal conditions but nighttime shines at The Summit for those happy hour turns. About 70 percent of the area can be skied at sundown, making The Summit one of the largest night skiing operations in the country.
Alpental's steep terrain challenges core riders. Summit West's gentle slopes beckon to novice skiers. Summit Central, although peppered with challenging pitches, is mostly intermediate friendly. Then, there's Summit East, the smallest and least crowded of the bunch, that combines all three.
If you're looking for deep (and thick) snow conditions in Washington, look no further than Mt. Baker. Snowboarders will love this moist Cascade coverage over cliffs, gaps, and steep bowls. The resort reported 1,140 inches for the 1998–99 season and it holds the highest annual snowfall record for any lift-serviced ski area in the world. That’s snow measured at 4,300 feet.
It’s the surrounding peaks like Mount Baker (10,750 feet) and Mount Shuksan (9,270 feet) that trap the storms and force them to puke snow. Unfortunately for locals and travelers, there is no lodging or amenities to make Baker a destination resort. The closest beds are 20 miles down a narrow two-lane road.
Ski Bluewood, 54 miles northeast of Walla Walla, is southeast Washington’s little secret. The 400-acre resort hosts the second-highest base elevation (4,450 feet) in the state —and possibly the best snow with annual totals over 300 inches. With no high- speed quads and only 24 trails, you go because you know the snow’s unbeatable.
Stevens Pass was established in 1937 in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests. It has kept some of its most popular roots while continuing to focus on creating the best possible ski experience for snowriders.
For example, they recently replaced the old T-Bar Lodge with a $5 million dollar one. It's close to Seattle and receives more than 400 inches of snow annually.
Another popular local’s spot is White Pass in the Southern Cascade Mountains near Yakima. White Pass with its views of Mount Rainier, the Tattoosh Range, and the Goat Rocks is worth the price of admission.
The home of Phil and Steve Mahre, the U.S. Ski Teams’ prized offspring, White Pass hasn’t changed much since the twins first trained there. The day ski spot remains family-friendly and intimate with only four chairlifts and 32 runs. In fact, kids under six ski free.
Mount Spokane on the Idaho/Washington border is the place Spokanites go to learn to ski. The area, 30 miles from Spokane, preaches skiing fundamentals and night skiing to practice what you learn.
Spokane 2000, a non-profit, managing entity keeps the lift tickets low while continuing to share the profits on resort improvements.
The five-year plan to develop the backside of the area is currently underway. Because of the dense fog that often plagues Mount Spokane, more tree runs are in the forecast.
One hour north of Spokane, with a vertical of 1850 feet on 1100 skiable acres, 49 Degrees North is named for its location on the 49th parallel from the equator. Riding here is quaint, quiet, and virtually unexplored. The snow is a bit lighter than what comes off the coasts of Seattle and there's an average annual snowfall of 300 inches. On a clear day, you’ll arc among impressive views of the Pend-Orielle River Valley and the Kettle Range.
The owners promise to transform this Washington hideaway into a family ski destination. Visit now while there are still cheap lift tickets, free midweek childcare, and complimentary group beginner lessons.
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