Mt. Baker Skiing

Terrain

Mt. Baker is really a local’s type of ski resort. It’s rather small, but does have a lot to offer skiers and boarders. It receives on average 663 inches of snow, the unofficial largest amount of snow of any resort in the world. In fact, in the 1998 to 1999 season, the ski area recorded 1,140 inches of snow in a single season. The top elevation is 5,089 feet. The base elevation of White Salmon is 3,500 feet and 4,300 feet for Heather Meadows. There’s a vertical drop of 1,589 feet.

With 1,000 skiable acres along with a number of backcountry trails that can be accessed from the chairlifts, you’re bound to find an area that fits your thrill requirements and experience level. The breakout is 24% green, 45% blue and 31% black diamond. Mt. Baker does not have a terrain park. The season typically runs from late November until late April.

Beginners are encouraged to take advantage of the two handle-tow surface lifts. Each mountain has one. Or, hop onto Chair 2, and go to the Heather Meadows Lodge area. The Gabl’s run and the backcountry in Elbow are designed only for expert skiers. Intermediate skiers can access appropriate terrain for their skill level via Chair 5.

The resort is home to the Legendary Baked Slalom, which is a slalom snowboard race through a natural halfpipe. The winter receives a duct tape trophy and a Carhartt jacket.

Mt. Baker has been known to claim that it has the best snow base in North America – despite the sometimes uneven snowfall. While you can go to the resort for a getaway weekend, it’s also close enough to Seattle (three hours) and Bellingham (one and a half hours) to do a day trip.

It’s typically not crowded unless it’s the weekends, and there’s fresh powder. So, if possible, head to resort during the week.

Mt. Baker has a few amenities for a small ski resort, including a café, ski rentals and shops. Group and private ski instruction are also available onsite. Kids six and under can get a free lift ticket. Besides skiing, your kids – or the kids at heart – can go sledding, snow tubing or snowshoeing. For tubing and sledding, head to Highwood Lake, and park at Heather Meadows Lodge to take advantage of these free activities. For snowshoeing, go to Artist Point, which is also accessible from Heather Meadows parking lot.

The easiest places to eat are right in the resort, and you do have quite a few options to satisfy every taste bud.

Breakfast Places

• Wake ‘n Bakery is a great bakery with plenty of quick bites – whether you’re looking for breakfast or something to cure a sweet craving. 6903 Bourn St, Deming, WA 98244

Our Favorite Lunch Spots

• Heather Meadows Cafe is located right on the second floor of the Heather Meadows Day Lodge. It offers everything from soup to salad to sandwiches. If you’re in the rush, you can even grab a pack lunch. Mt Baker Hwy, Deming, WA 98244

Dinner

• There’s nothing like great Italian – especially after a long day on the slopes. Milano’s Pasta Fresca & Bar Veneto offers up a wide selection of tasty Italian dishes and cocktails. 9990 Mt Baker Hwy, Deming, WA 98244

Apres/Nightlife

While there aren’t many nightlife options at this small resort, you can find a couple of places to go, including the following:

• With its rustic atmosphere and old-timey fixture, Grahams Restaurant is the place to go. Grab a seat at the bar, and have a conversation with a stranger – and make a new friend. 9989 Mt Baker Hwy, Deming, WA 98244
• North Fork Brewing Company is where you want to go if you have a beer aficionado in your group – or just a enjoy a really good cold one yourself. With beers created in the style of light and black Lagers, barrel-aged Belgian style Sours and British Ales, it’s an experience you won’t forget. 24 E 2nd St, Riverhead, NY 11901