For skiers and snowboarders it has been a December to remember, and 2016 will end on a high note as a winter storm is expected to pound the Cascades with a lot of snow all the way into Saturday.
Heavy snow and winds arrived late Monday as a winter storm warning with a very strong westerly jet stream was expected to bring 2 to 4 feet of snow over the next few days. This will likely affect traffic getting to the ski slopes as road crews conduct avalanche control work. The freezing level will remain between 1,000 and 2,000 feet.
Snowfall totals through Thursday just might require skiers and snowboarders to pack along a snorkel to the slopes, with 28 to 49 inches expected at Mount Baker Ski Area; 29 to 46 inches at Stevens Pass; 30 to 50 inches at Alpental at the Summit at Snoqualmie; 14 to 28 inches at Crystal Mountain; and 20 to 36 inches at White Pass.
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All ski areas are in holiday operation with plenty of activities scheduled heading into the new year.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Alpental from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. with live music and a torchlight parade by the ski patrol. Cost is $20 for bar celebration (ages 21 and over only) with advance payment online through Dec. 29. Tickets are available at the door. Details: http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com.
Ring in the new year at Crystal Mountain Resort with live music from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Sundeck, a fireworks display in the base area at 9 p.m., followed by a 21-and-over party in the Bullwheel with D.J. Christy. Details: https://crystalmountainresort.com.
On the Olympic Peninsula, Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area is open Saturday through Jan. 2. In northeastern Washington, Loup Loup Ski Bowl opened Monday for daily operations 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. through Jan. 2. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing on Bear Mountain and around the base area are open.
For non-skiers, the Paradise snow-play area at Mount Rainier National Park is open, restricted to soft sliding devices such as flexible sleds made of plastic, inner tubes, and saucers. Snowshoeing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing are also allowed. Guided ranger snowshoe walks are offered. Check the web site for road closures or delays. Details: 360-569-6575 or http://mtrainierguestservices.com.
The tubing center at the Summit at Snoqualmie is open daily through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
For nordic skiers, head to Lake Wenatchee State Park; Echo Ridge Nordic Ski Area; Methow Valley; Leavenworth Winter Sports Club; White Pass; Stevens Pass; Summit at Snoqualmie; and Cabin Creek area just east of Snoqualmie.
In Montana, Whitefish Resort is open for the winter season with a 68-inch base and 4 inches new snow with 105 trails open and 12 lifts operating.
Open daily in British Columbia are Cypress Mountain (100-inch base); Whistler Blackcomb Resort (66); Mount Seymour (80-98); Grouse Mountain (83-96); Whitewater Ski Resort (65-67); Mount Washington Alpine Resort (53-56); Revelstoke Mountain Resort (33-68); Hudson Bay Mountain (37-49); Big White (51); Sun Peaks (44-54); Silver Star (30-54); Kicking Horse (20-54); Fernie Alpine (30-63); Panorama Mountain (14-33); and Red Mountain Resort (51).
Open daily in Idaho are Lookout Pass (79-95); Schweitzer Mountain Resort (33-49); Tamarack Resort (30-44); Sun Valley (40-54); Brundage Mountain Resort (37-44); Bogus Basin (39); Silver Mountain (37-42); and Pomerelle Mountain Resort (51-64).
Open daily in Oregon are Mount Hood Meadows (65-114); Mount Bachelor (76-92); Mount Hood Skibowl (46-55); Timberline Lodge (95); Mount Ashland (45-62); Cooper Spur (20); Willamette Pass (52-60); and Hoodoo Ski Area (60-65).
Latest snow and lift reports:
Which ski areas are open and closed:
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Resort |
Hours |
Base |
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Summit West, Snoqualmie | Open daily: 9am-5pm; night skiing Fri until 10pm; closed Jan. 3; 4pm-10pm Jan. 4-7 (no new snow) | 44 inches |
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| Summit Central, Snoqualmie | Open daily: 9am-10pm through Jan. 8 (no new snow) | 44 inches | |
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| Summit East, Snoqualmie | Open daily: 9am-3:30pm through Jan. 2 and Jan. 7-8; closed Jan. 3-6 (no new snow) | 44 inches | |
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| Nordic Center, Snoqualmie | Open daily: 9am-3pm through Jan. 2 and Jan. 6-8; closed Jan. 3-5 (no new snow) | 44 inches | |
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Alpental, Snoqualmie | Open: 9am-4pm through Jan. 1 and Jan. 8; until 10pm Jan. 3-7 (no new snow) | 48-94 inches |
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Mount Baker Ski Area | Open daily: 9am-3:30pm (no new snow) | 90-134 inches |
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Crystal Mountain | Open daily: 9am-4pm (no new snow) | 35-49 inches |
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Stevens Pass | Open daily: 9am-4pm; night skiing until 10 pm through Jan. 2 (no new snow) | 48-57 inches |
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White Pass | Open daily: 8:45am-4pm; night skiing until 9 pm through Jan. 1 (no new snow) | 47-61 inches |
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Mission Ridge Ski & Board | Open daily: 9am-4pm (no new snow) | 23-24 inches |
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49° North Mountain | Open daily: 9am-3:30pm (trace to 2 inches new snow) | 40-57 inches |
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Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard | Open daily: 9am-4pm through Jan. 2, night skiing Wed-Sat until 9:30pm (2.5 inches new snow) | 34-43.5 inches |
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Ski Bluewood | Open daily: 9am-4pm (1 inch new snow) | 44-54 inches |
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Whistler-Blackcomb | Open daily: 9am-5pm (no new snow) | 66 inches |
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Mt. Bachelor | Open daily: 9am-4pm (no new snow) | 76-92 inches |
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Leavenworth Winter Sports Club | Open daily: Icicle River, golf course and ski hill nordic trails open; tubing and rope tows open 9:30am-6pm (no new snow) |
14 inches |
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Methow Trails | Open: Sun Mountain, Rendezvous, Winthrop and Mazama has some trails open (no new snow) | 13 inches |