General Overview

Discovering Washington's ski & snowboard scene is a unique adventure! Forget traditional ski resorts; here, we embrace the charm of Ski Areas, where the parking lot vibe rocks more Carhart than fuzzy boots—even on weekends!

While the Seattle and Tacoma areas boast well-known ski spots, the eastern side near Spokane offers some hidden gems too. There's even one that involves a ferry ride from Seattle—a total win! For this review, though, we are going to call out the Top 5 powder spots.

A heads-up for powder seekers: heavy snowfall can spice things up, affecting road access and lift availability. It's a Washington thing, especially for resorts on mountain passes or avalanche-prone roads. Always check avalanche, weather, and road conditions.

Ever heard of Cascade Concrete? Locals chuckle when out-of-towners toss that term around online. It may or may not be a myth?!?! —just keep on moving, nothing to see here.

Washington's history with companies like K2, Powder Magazine, Mervin Manufacturing (Lib Tech, GNU, Roxy, Bent Metal), RIDE, Snowboarders Journal, C3 (CAPiTA, Union, Coal), Outdoor Research, and more adds prominence to the snow scene. It's not just skiing & snowboarding; it's a lifestyle in the Evergreen State!

Mt. Baker: Best Bet for Deep Powder

Stats:

• Northwest corner of the USA - Hwy 542 - Go East!
• Key info:
  • 8 Lifts, Top Elevation: 5,089 ft.
  • Average Snowfall: 666 inches
  • Base Elevation: 3,500 ft.
  • 1998/1999 World Record Snowfall: 1,140 inches
  • Total Ski Area Acreage: 1,000 acres

Spot Overview

Embrace the snow globe that is Mt. Baker! Overflowing with powdery goodness, unbeatable steeps, and vast backcountry, it's a snow lover's haven. Now, let's dig deeper. While the frequent snow dumps, expert terrain, and expansive backcountry are stellar, there's a twist. The compact lift area, powder-day crowds, a few side-eye vibes, lower elevation, moist snow, and a shortage of intermediate terrain raise some eyebrows.

If the ski area is enveloped in clouds or faces a high avalanche risk, which renders venturing into the backcountry unwise, skiers and riders are confined to the designated inbound sections of the ski area. It might not be super crowded, but it turns into a lively scene with talented locals making the most of every bit of fresh snow in just an hour or so!

Traveling the globe for powder thrills but skiing a legendary hill just an hour before a highly skilled local contingent has thoroughly depleted any fresh powder makes one ponder Mt. Baker's status as an out-of-towner magnet. Cue the local cheers and a few eh’s?! for our Costco-loving friends to the North.

Expert Review

My favorite Ski Area in Washington? That'd be Mt. Baker, hands down. Picture this: heaps of snow, skiers, and snowboarders sharing the slopes in perfect harmony. The scenery? Utterly breathtaking. Here's a cool nugget—Mt. Baker is so off the beaten path that the whole mountain operates on generators. And get this: it's one of the last family-run ski areas in the state that hasn't succumbed to corporate vibes. A true gem in the heart of the Washington snowscape!

Stevens Pass: Best for Powder Close to Seattle

Stats:

• Wellington, WA - Hwy 2 - On the Crest of the Cascades
• Key info:
  • 13 Lifts, Top Elevation: 5,845 ft.
  • Average Snowfall: 460 inches
  • Base Elevation: 4,061 ft.
  • Total Ski Area Acreage: 1,125 acres

Spot Overview

Stevens Pass has been a regional magnet for years, drawing in visitors with its hefty snowfall, local charm, and challenging expert terrain. Despite some changes post-Vail Resorts acquisition in 2018, the resort has maintained much of its original allure.

While Stevens Pass offers decently sized intermediate trails, they don't particularly stand out. The blue runs, though featuring some cool glade areas, mostly follow the typical tree-defined trail format with standard terrain elements. However, where Stevens Pass truly shines is in its seriously technical terrain. Advanced and expert runs, spanning the entire resort, present various challenges—from technical pitches to demanding turns and steep drop-ins.

Yet, the toughest lines, especially off Cowboy Mountain, bring an additional thrill with cliffs and tight, steep terrain. The out-of-bounds backcountry warning sign at the hike's start is a reminder of the off-piste adventure available. However, this challenging terrain is prone to avalanches.

Expert Review

We survived the Vail acquisition saga!! The early Vail acquisition days were like a soap opera, with petitions flying around and threats of class action lawsuits. But hold on to your hats — Vail brought in a ringer, a University of Washington alum and former ski racer, as General Manager.

The awesome new GM, Ellen Galbraith, has really brought a sense of order to lift and mountain operations. She's also rekindled that special Stevens history as a Ski Area, not a Ski Resort. You know, at ski areas, the heart of it all is the terrain and the ski operations. It's not like those bigger ski resorts that focus on everything from hotels and spas to fancy dining. Stevens is back to keeping it real and true to our roots!

Now, let's talk about Stevens' tree skiing—it's some of the best in the Northwest, swooshing through perfectly spaced old growth like nobody's business. Just a heads-up, though, Stevens is no plush resort; it's a Ski Area. Don't go expecting post-day massages or wild après-ski scenes unless you're living it up in the RV park. Stevens' RV park? Now that's a whole different kind of entertainment!

Crystal Mountain: Best to See Fuzzy Boots

Stats:

• 40 Miles Northwest of Enumclaw, WA - On the Crest of the Cascades
• Key info:
  • 11 Lifts, Top Elevation: 6,872 ft.
  • Average Snowfall: 348 inches
  • Base Elevation: 4,400 ft.
  • Total Ski Area Acreage: 2,300 acres

Spot Overview

Crystal Mountain is the only resort in Washington that has on-site lodging, top-notch dining offerings, and the top après scene in Washington at the legendary Snorting Elk. Boasting diverse slopes and a commendable annual snowfall, it promises a well-rounded terrain experience. Yet, before you hastily book your tickets, let's consider a few noteworthy quirks.

Now, here's the kicker: a good chunk of Crystal's advanced and expert terrain demands a bit of a hike. Some paths lead to entirely unique trails, while others offer access to slightly higher and less-trodden starting points on otherwise lift-serviced runs. Brace yourself for a trek if you're eyeing Crystal's most extreme trails, especially the heart-pounding, narrow chutes off Silver King Peak—worth it for the thrill-seekers!

Expert Review

Crystal Mountain is huge — it's massive! But, the size comes with a tradeoff. On a big powder day, the terrain often opens up in a staggered fashion. With the best terrain not opening until lunch time or later. So, plan your day accordingly.

The terrain opens in a staggered fashion, like a dramatic movie plot. Will it work in your favor, or will you be left waiting like you're in a suspenseful scene with a hard stop for work or family looming? It’s very possible to hit all your marks. Up early? Check. Breakfast? Check. Rig fueled-up? Check. Only to be informed upon arrival that the best terrain isn’t opening until after lunch.

Now, let's talk about vibes. Crystal is like the corporate big shot of Washington ski areas, strutting around with a vibe that screams, "I've got a corner office." But fear not, the terrain is the real hero here. When you hit the jackpot, you hit it big. It's like finding the golden ticket in Willy Wonka's snow factory. You may score, and score high.

White Pass: Best for Quality Runs & Solitude

Stats:

• 20 Miles West of Packwood, WA - Hwy 12 - On the Crest of the Cascades
• Key info:
  • 8 Lifts, Top Elevation: 6,500 ft.
  • Average Snowfall: 350 inches
  • Base Elevation: 4,500 ft.
  • Total Ski Area Acreage: 1,402 acres

Spot Overview

Step into the pages of Washington's snowy saga at White Pass ski and snowboard area—a spot with a rich history and an impressive community vibe. White Pass is the stomping ground of Olympians Phil and Steve Mahre, adding a touch of gold medal glamor. White Pass rocks a laid-back atmosphere, less crowded than your favorite coffee shop on a Monday morning.

The Paradise Basin area is a playground for glade skiing and snowboarding, proving that even the friendliest spots can have a wild side. So, grab your gear, gather the fam, and get ready for a winter wonderland adventure at White Pass.

Expert Review

White Pass is a snow lover's playground with two major sides to the mountain, lodging, & low crowds.

The Great White Express chair caters to everyone from "I just learned to stand on skis" to "I only ride triple Diamond." Skiers right from the top of the lift is a nice smooth way down for beginners. For rippers, hang tight under the lift and get some powder day hoots from the chair riders above you.

There's a left turn off the Great White Express, leading to more intermediate cruiser runs off of Chair 4. It's like skiing on a choose-your-own-adventure slope, where every turn is a new chapter.

Back in the 2010-2011 winter, the ski and snowboard area decided to go big! White Pass doubled in size, adding two high-speed quads to service the Paradise Basin area. We're talking 767 acres of intermediate and advanced terrain, mostly glades. It's a snowy haven for powder enthusiasts. And the best part? White Pass isn't the party spot for ski crowds, so the snow stays as pristine as a fresh blanket long after a winter storm.

Summit at Snoqualmie: Best for quick laps

Stats:

• 18 Miles West of North Bend, WA - I-5 - On the Crest of the Cascades
• Key info:
  • 19 Lifts, Top Elevation: 5,420 ft.
  • Average Snowfall: 435 inches
  • Base Elevation: 2,610 ft.
  • Total Ski Area Acreage: 2,000 acres

Spot Overview

Escape the urban hustle, and within an hour's drive from downtown Seattle, find yourself shredding and carving on the Summit's slopes. Spread across four distinct base areas—Alpental, Summit West, Summit Central, and Summit East—there's a playground for every ski and snowboard level. With nearly 2,000 skiable acres among them, the variety is as vast as the mountain's storied past.

Alpental, the powder paradise, beckons with its legendary Edelweiss Chair 2 and backcountry gates leading to steep, snowy adventures. Meanwhile, Summit West, Central, and East boast one of Washington's finest terrain parks, a haven for rail and jump enthusiasts, accompanied by beginner-friendly slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. So, whether you're a Seattle local or a snow enthusiast from afar, the Summit at Snoqualmie welcomes all to its snowy embrace.

Expert Review

Summit at Snoqualmie's base areas, each offering its own charm, but when it's a powder day, Alpental is the local hotspot. On a powder day, Alpental is the place to be. Whether you're rolling out of your camper in the upper lot or making the early trek from Seattle, the place to be is in line for the Chair 2 opening, fondly called Edelweiss. However, it is often a place to stand in line. The Chair 2 morning lines are legendary.

Now, Edelweiss isn't just any chair—it's the gateway to Alpental's renowned terrain. With big storms rolling in, be patient as ski patrol works their avalanche control magic before the chair starts spinning safely. Standing in line? Perfect time to scope out the locals. They're a colorful bunch, and trust me, they're friendly. This is your chance to make buddies and maybe snag a personal ski guide for the day. Once Chair 2, the old-school center-pole double chairlift, kicks into gear, keep your eyes peeled on the terrain status.

Pro-tip for all four areas—dive into the details of the operating hours, especially on specific days when certain areas or lifts are closed. Whether you're craving a midweek powder session or a speedy post-work powder dash, it's all about timing. Keep a keen eye on the weather forecast and cross-reference it with your operating schedule research. Play your cards right, and you might just score some powder long after it has fallen.