Skiers and snowboarders will encounter unpredictable weather changes in the days ahead that could have them cruising through powder one day and then a slushy, rainy mess the next.
All ski areas received 4 to 12 inches of new snow this past weekend. A freezing level around 2,500 feet will produce additional snowfall Monday.
Then a slow warming trend arrives Tuesday with gusty winds, and mainly rain and snow mixed. The erratic weather pattern will continue well into the upcoming weekend, bringing rain to lower-elevation hillsides, and snow or rain to areas above 3,500 feet.
Expected snowfall totals through Tuesday:
- Summit at Snoqualmie, 1-2 inches of new snow (334 inches for the season).
- Mount Baker, 7-15 (480.5).
- Stevens Pass, 6-12 (313).
- Crystal Mountain, 7-16 (409).
- White Pass, 5-10 (282-335).
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At Mount Rainier National Park the road to Paradise at Longmire was expected to open later than normal on Monday due to heavy snowfall. Traction tires were advised and all vehicles are required to carry chains. The snow-play sliding hill at Paradise is generally open depending on daily weather conditions. 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. Be sure to check the website for road conditions and restrictions before heading up. Through Monday, Paradise was covered with 105 inches of snow. For updates, go to www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm.
At Lake Wenatchee State Park, Nason and Sea & Ski trails were left ungroomed on Monday due to multiple washouts. Kahler Glen and other cross-country ski areas away from the shoreline in the South and North parks were in fair shape. The sled hill remains in good shape. Snowshoeing was best at South Park, and the North Park shoreline trails were thin to bare.
Elsewhere, cross-country skiers will find a mixed bag of conditions at Echo Ridge; Salmon La Sac Sno-Park; Iron Horse Trail; Lake Easton Sno-Park; and the Cabin Creek area off I-90.
Snow updates across the region:
Oregon: Mount Bachelor, 100-129 inch base; Timberline, 110; Mount Hood Meadows, 98-187; Mount Ashland, 67-122; Hoodoo, 54; Willamette Pass, 64-118; and Mount Hood Ski Bowl, 33-41. Cooper Spur, 24, and Anthony Lakes, 68, will reopen this weekend.
Idaho: Sun Valley, 49-74; Brundage, 61-97; Tamarack, 35-80; Schweitzer, 50-99; Lookout Pass, 62-103; Bogus Basin, 52; Kelly Canyon, 33-61; Pebble Creek, 22-56; and Silver Mountain, 60-70.
Montana: Whitefish Mountain Resort is open daily, with 96-inch base, and 262 inches this season. A total of 105 trails and 10 lifts are operating, with night skiing Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
British Columbia: Whistler-Blackcomb, 104; Cypress, 135; Mount Washington, 86-122; Whitewater, 106; Manning Park, 62-88; Big White, 102; Revelstoke, 28-98; Fernie, 53-118; Mount Seymour, 62-126; Red Mountain, 98; Grouse Mountain, 76-118; Kicking Horse, 35-69; Apex, 86; Silver Star, 61-81; Sun Peaks, 79-87; Panorama, 24-51; and Kimberley, 47.
Upcoming events
The Crystal Mountain Resort Silver King IFSA Junior Freeride National competition is Friday to Sunday. Come see the top juniors from around the country take on the steep hillsides to earn their place on the podium. Finals are scheduled Sunday on Silver King peak. Details: http://crystalmountainresort.com.
The White Pass Winter Carnival is Saturday and Sunday. Events include snow castle, live music, fireworks, kids carnival, snow-sports competition, poker run for kids and adults, and a Saturday night dinner special. Details: http://skiwhitepass.com.
The free Whistler-Blackcomb Resort Fire and Ice Show is held every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Whistler Village base between Whistler and Blackcomb gondolas. The show features a mix of music with skiers and snowboarders showing off their acrobatic jumping through rings of fire. The Discover Whistler Days offer a 25 percent discount on select adult, youth and kids group lessons through March 11; and April 9-17. Details: www.whistlerblackcomb.com.\
Latest snow and lift reports:
Which ski areas are open and closed:
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Resort |
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Base |
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Summit West, Snoqualmie | Open: Closed Mon-Fri and March 7-11; Sat-Sun: 9am-5pm | 74 inches |
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| Summit Central, Snoqualmie | Open: Mon-Sat and March 7-12: 9am-10pm; Sun: 9am-5pm | 74 inches | |
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| Summit East, Snoqualmie | Open: Closed Mon-Fri and March 7-11; Sat-Sun: 9am-4pm | 74 inches | |
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| Nordic Center, Snoqualmie | Open: Closed Mon-Thu; Fri-Sun: 9am-3pm. Tubing center closed Mon-Thu; Fri-Sat: 9am-9pm; Sun: 9am-5pm | 74 inches | |
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Alpental, Snoqualmie | Open: Closed Mon and March 7; Tue-Sat: 9am-10pm; Sun: 9am-5pm | 93-131 inches |
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Mount Baker Ski Area | Open daily: 9am-3:30pm | 143-174 inches |
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Crystal Mountain | Open daily: 9am-4pm | 64-106 inches |
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Stevens Pass | Open: Mon-Thu and March 7-10: 9am-4pm; Fri-Sat: 9am-10pm; Sun: 9am-6pm | 69-97 inches |
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White Pass | Open daily: 8:45am-4pm; night skiing Sat until 9pm.; nordic center is open Thu-Sun | 75-109 inches |
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Mission Ridge Ski & Board | Open: Mon and Thu-Sun: 9am-4pm; night skiing Sat until 8pm; closed Tue-Wed | 45-63 inches |
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49° North Mountain | Open: Mon-Tue and Fri-Sun: 9am-4pm; closed Wed-Thu | 82-127 inches |
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Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard | Open: Wed-Sat: 9am-9:30pm; Sun: 9am-4pm; closed Mon-Tue | 43-84 inches |
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Ski Bluewood | Open: Thu-Sun: 9am-4pm; closed Mon-Wed | 69-89 inches |
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Whistler-Blackcomb | Open daily: 8:30am-3pm | 104 inches |
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Mt. Bachelor | Open daily: 9am-4pm | 100-129 inches |
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Leavenworth Winter Sports Club | Open: Icicle River trail open, and other XC skiing trails closed; tubing open Sat; ski hill Wed/Fri: 3pm-8pm; Sat-Sun: 9:30am-5pm | 18 inches |
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Methow Trails | Open daily: 17 trails groomed Feb. 28-29 at Mazama; 17 at Rendezvous; 19 at Sun Mountain; and 11 at Winthrop | 26 inches |