The early-season storms have been blissful with a handful of areas opening their doors earlier than expected.
At this point it looks like the long range weather forecasters were right on target with La Nina dishing out storm after storm, and bringing plenty of early-season snow to the Pacific Northwest mountains.
Forecasters say a disturbance was crossing over the state Friday with either snow or rain pelting the Cascades, and a much stronger system arriving Saturday night that will increase the chances of moderate to heavy snow shifting from north to south. The snow level is 1,500 to 3,000 feet in northern and central hillsides, and 3,000 to 4,000 feet in southern sections.
Expect a slight lull early Sunday, and then hold onto your hats as another low pressure system will produce light to moderate snowfall heading into Monday with the snow level dropping all the way down to the surface and up to 1,000 feet.
The next series of weather systems through Monday are expected to bring ample coverage to the hills with 11 to 18 inches at Mount Baker; 16 to 28 inches at Stevens Pass; 9 to 19 inches at Alpental on Snoqualmie Pass; 13 to 25 inches at Crystal Mountain; and 9 to 21 inches at White Pass.
The early-season storms have been blissful with a handful of areas opening their doors earlier than expected, and destinations like the Mount Baker Ski Area (1 inch new snow) is boasting the deepest snow base in the United States – 65 inches at Heather Meadows base and 92 inches at Pan Dome –on their website.
Others include the White Pass Ski Area (1-2 new), Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort (no new), Crystal Mountain Resort (1-2 new) and Stevens Pass Resort (3 new).
“The crew says it looks like we can run Great White, Platter and Carpet for certain on Saturday and Sunday with plenty of snow on the east side of the area,” said Kathleen Goyette, the White Pass Ski Area marketing director. “We will be adding more lifts if we get more snow, and at this point we plan on operating daily (from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.) conditions permitting.”
The Summit at Snoqualmie could have a better grasp on their situation after the next storm on when they might be able to open for winter operations.
“We definitely need another big storm, but the good news is about halfway up the hill at Summit West (3,500 foot elevation level) we have a decent snow depth coverage,” said Guy Lawrence, the marketing director at the Summit at Snoqualmie who mentioned their 70-year opening date average is between Dec. 4-7.
“We could be opening sooner than later and right now we’re counting the snowflakes,” Lawrence said. “It appears we are on track for our average opening date time-frame and will hope for the best.”
The Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort opened Friday for its 50th Anniversary season, with limited operations on Chairs 1 and 2, and Pike Peak rope tow. Terrain access will be limited to Sunspot, Tumwater 2, Lower Tumwater, and Mimi. Mimi is not currently full width due to the early season conditions so use caution.
“We finally got some snow making temperatures, and plan to get more lifts and terrain open weather permitting,” said Tony Hickok, the marketing director at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort.
In eastern Washington, 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort and Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park opened Friday. In Idaho, Silver Mountain Resort also opened Friday with limited operations.
In British Columbia, Whistler-Blackcomb Resort (68-inch base); Cypress Mountain (61); Mount Seymour (30-54); Grouse Mountain (30-44); Silver Star (16-41); Sun Peaks (30-41); Fernie Alpine (1-30); Big White (30) are open daily.
In Idaho, Schweitzer Mountain Resort (20-40) started the winter season on Friday with daily operations from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Other areas in Idaho include Sun Valley (12) open daily; Lookout Pass (16-21) is open Thursday to Sunday; and Silver Mountain (16-36) is open Friday to Sunday.
In Oregon, Mount Ashland (27-28) will begin operations this Sunday and Monday, and then a five-day-a-week schedule beginning Thursday (Dec. 8). Willamette Pass (32) will also be open Saturday and Sunday.
They join Mount Bachelor (27-46) with three lifts open daily; Timberline Lodge (41) with five lifts open daily; and Mount Hood Meadows (36-52) with six lifts open daily.
Latest snow and lift reports:
Which ski areas are open and closed:
|
|
|||
Resort |
Hours |
Base |
|
|
|
|||
 |
Summit West, Snoqualmie | Closed: Stay tuned for official opening date | 13 inches |
|
|
|||
| Summit Central, Snoqualmie | Closed: Stay tuned for official opening date | 13 inches | |
|
|
|||
| Summit East, Snoqualmie | Closed: Stay tuned for official opening date | 13 inches | |
|
|
|||
| Nordic Center, Snoqualmie | Closed: Stay tuned for official opening date | 13 inches | |
|
|
|||
 |
Alpental, Snoqualmie | Closed: Stay tuned for official opening date | 18-40 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Mount Baker Ski Area | Open daily: 9am-3:30pm | 65-92 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Crystal Mountain | Open daily: 9am-4pm | 22-45 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Stevens Pass | Open daily: 9am-4pm | 26-52 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
White Pass | Opens daily on Saturday: 8:45 am-4pm | 18-32 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Mission Ridge Ski & Board | Open Friday-Sunday: 9 am-4 pm | 18 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
49° North Mountain | Open: Friday to Tuesday 9am-3:30pm | 15-24 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard | Open: Friday to Sunday 9am-4pm | 22-31 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Ski Bluewood | Closed: Opening date TBD | 15-24 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Whistler-Blackcomb | Open daily: 9am-5pm | 68 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Mt. Bachelor | Open daily: 9am-4pm | 27-46 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Leavenworth Winter Sports Club | Closed: Opening date TBD |
0 inches |
|
|
|||
 |
Methow Trails | Closed: Opening date TBD | 0 inches |