NW Snow Resorts: Washington
Washington
By Diane Rudholm and Fiona Cohen
Photo at right: Heading up Chair 2 at dusk for the last run of the day. Photo by Drew M. Wright, courtesy of Mission Ridge
49 Degrees North
Last year, eastern Washington’s 49 Degrees North unveiled the Angel Peak lift and opened its boarder course to the public. This year, the focus has shifted to developing some of the ski area’s finer points, including updated wiring and brand new doors and carpet.
Plans for a lodge expansion and a new building are in the works. It is estimated that the project will take three years to complete.
Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain added capacity to its shuttles from the parking areas to the base area. It will also sport an outdoor café serving kebabs at the base of the Chinook Express lift and a taco truck at the base of the Mount Rainier gondola. They upgraded the tuning shop and put a roof at the bottom terminal of the Northway Chairlift, so it is possible to have the lift ice-free and running earlier on days when big storms slam into Rainier.
Loup Loup Ski Bowl
Loup Loup Ski Bowl east of Twisp offers 10 runs on 1,240 feet of vertical and more than 14 miles of groomed Nordic tracks. This year, the Nordic area has added a fun program called Area 51. Enjoy the gentle terrain of the valley floor or challenge yourself with the 1,000-foot climb on the Bear Mountain cross-country trails to receive an Area 51 Nordic Survivor sticker. Folks who take a ride down the Wild Wolf tubing hill will also receive special stickers.
The Loup has also reinvested in new rental equipment, and spruced up the lodge with a new roof.
Mission Ridge
New ticketing and season-pass software mean less time waiting in lines and more time playing in the snow. Mission Ridge completely overhauled its technology this summer to speed up service and improve online purchasing.
The resort also upgraded the #100 Laps beginners area with a new rope tow, more features and terrain, as well as an expanded hang-out area.
New season-pass holder perks include free ski days at 49 Degrees North, Eaglecrest Ski Area and Sunlight Mountain Resort.
Mt. Baker Ski Area
Mt. Baker still offers its 5th grade ride-free program as well as a variety of ski lessons. When school kids come for instruction at this independent area east of Bellingham, they won’t just be learning about pointing downhill and the paramount importance of bending their knees. They’ll also learn some science about the natural history, geology and other forces that create the mountain environment.
Mt. Spokane
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park transported its new Red Chair chairlift from Bridger Bowl Ski Area to Spokane this fall. The new chairlift and surrounding runs are part of a planned expansion on
Mt. Spokane’s Northwest-facing slopes that will provide access to over 80 acres of groomed trails and additional acres of lift-served tree skiing within an undeveloped 850-acre area. It is anticipated that the lift will be completed and open for the 2014 –15 ski and snowboarding season.
Stevens Pass
You’ll speed up the mountain faster than ever this winter at Stevens Pass. Crews were hard at work all summer upgrading the Jupiter chairlift to a high-speed detachable quad, as well as prepping trails and thinning trees to ensure visitors have smoother, wider runs.
Stevens Pass has partnered with the Powder Alliance to offer season pass-holders three free days at 11 other areas including Timberline in Oregon and Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Idaho.
Summit at Snoqualmie
Artist’s rendering of Silver Fir Lodge planned for Summit Central. Illustration courtesy of Summit at Snoqualmie
Visitors to Central Park of Summit at Snoqualmie will be able to rent equipment, demo K2 skis, shop and eat under the broad wooden beams of the new 10,000 square-foot Silver Fir Lodge. While the new building is getting set up, the Silver Fir Outpost will continue operations.
There is also a new lighted sign at the base of the mountain where skiers and snowboarders can find out valuable information like run width and skate status. Wondering when gates will open is a thing of the past.
White Pass
White Pass doubled the size of its ski area last year. The naturally gladed Paradise Basin, served by two quad lifts, provides terrain for all levels. The expansion area is served by the mountaineering-themed High Camp Lodge where guests can enjoy an all-day waffle bar and an outdoor barbeque. General Manager Kevin McCarthy continues to offer up $10 lunch vouchers for guests who eat at High Camp Lodge in Paradise Basin on the second Wednesday of the month throughout the season. He also offers personal tours of the area.
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