Ski report: More snow expected heading into the holiday weekend is blissful for skiers and snowboarders

The fun times for skiers and snowboarders will carry on as another weather system brought 2 to 8 inches of snow throughout the Cascades on Wednesday creating a cache of powder spots along with firm packed groomed trails.

Several more weather systems will bring a mix of rain showers and snow – heavy at times – through the holiday weekend, followed by sunshine and clouds early next week. The snow level will bounce between 1,000 and 6,000 feet.

Predicted snow fall totals through Sunday are: Mount Baker, 12-21 inches (288 inches total this season); Stevens Pass, 10-21 (215); Summit at Snoqualmie, 8-16 (211); Crystal Mountain, 8-20 (259); and White Pass, 9-22 (186-210).

The long-range weather forecast indicates more fresh snow will build up base levels later next week as this unstable weather pattern should stick around for the rest of this month.

So far, El Nino is not showing its negative effects on weather patterns, but at some point it will likely rear its ugly head. In the meantime strap on the skis or snowboard and make the best of what has been a stellar winter season.

The new Rampart Quad Lift at Summit East at the Summit at Snoqualmie is drawing rave reviews.

“It definitely adds a new dimension to our area, and spreads people out along the (East Peak) hillside,” said Guy Lawrence, the marketing director at the Summit at Snoqualmie. “I don’t think the lift line has been very long, and that is always key to what you want from your experience on the hill.”

The new lift’s family friendly easy-load conveyor system ascends the north/northeast side of Summit East providing an entryway to a wide-range of trails – including crossover access from Summit East and Central – and untouched powder and gladed tree areas.

Crystal Mountain Resort received 21 inches of snow in the past two days (6 inches overnight), and the northeastern facing slopes will have deep powder stashes at spots like West Face, Elk Chutes and Northway Peak. Depending on conditions, make your way to steeps of the Northway and Southback area. Be safe, avoid tree wells, and make sure to have a partner when venturing into the open patrolled back-country areas.

Gliders can find prime cross-country trail conditions at the Summit at Snoqualmie; White Pass; Stevens Pass; Cabin Creek area at Exit 63 off I-90; Leavenworth Winter Sports Club; Methow Trails; and Lake Wenatchee State Park.

Mount Rainier National Park is open for winter activities, and will have free admission this Monday to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The snow-play sliding hill at Paradise is open. Ranger-guided 1.8-mile snowshoe walks are available Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through March 27 at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. outside of the Jackson Visitor Center. Sign-ups begin one hour before each scheduled time. Be sure to check the website for road conditions and restrictions before heading up. Through Wednesday, Paradise was covered with 97 inches of snow. For updates, go to http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm.

The Scottish Lakes High Camp south of Lake Wenatchee State Park in the north-central Cascades offers ample choices for downhill back-country skiers and boarders or snowshoe treks through the forests.

In Oregon, Mount Bachelor (90-111 inch base and 1-9 inches new), Timberline (90 and 6), Hoodoo (55 and 2), Mount Hood Meadows (84-109 and 5), Mount Hood Ski Bowl (47-52 and 3) and Anthony Lakes (47 and 5). Cooper Spur (32) reopens this weekend.

In Idaho, areas open daily include Sun Valley (59-82 and 2), Brundage (54-74 and 4), Tamarack (51-65 and 7), Schweitzer (46-70 and 4), Lookout Pass (55-86 and 9), Soldier Mountain (50-65), Bogus Basin (44-50 and 4) and Silver Mountain (27-52 and 5).

In Montana, Whitefish Mountain Resort is open daily, and has a 64-inch base (6 to 10 inches fell overnight), and 150 inches so far this season. A total of 105 trails and 10 lifts were operating. The East Rim area is now open.

In British Columbia, Whistler-Blackcomb (77 and trace), Cypress (122 and 1), Mount Washington (63-89), Whitewater (83 and 13), Manning Park (55-68 and 3), Big White (83 and 9), Revelstoke (28-70 and 4), Fernie (35-77 and 9), Mount Seymour (63-111 and 1), Red Mountain (75 and 7), Grouse Mountain (79-124 and 2), Kicking Horse (30-52 and 1), Apex (65 and 4), Silver Star (48-68 and 4), Sun Peaks (54-61 and 2), Panorama (25-42 and 1) and Kimberley (49 and 2).

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