Early opening dates in the PNW

[Christy]

Early openings here in the PNW. Whistler’s opening 12 days early, this Saturday—they’ve had 39” in the last week, 2' feet more predicted this week. Mt Baker (WA) opens this weekend—they got 4’ this past week and expect 2’ more this week. Crystal Mt (WA) has a limited opening tomorrow, with only 30” on the ground but 80%-100% chance of snow every day this week. Stevens Pass is shooting for the 20th—they have 30”, and it’s snow forecast every day. White Pass opens this Friday the 13th.

 

[Jilly]

Ah ha, now I know why a buddy in Van is talking about skiing this weekend. Beside getting my goat that he is, and I'm not! Choices!

 

[joycemocha]

Ahem. There are ski areas in Oregon.

Timberline was open last week (November 7) and Meadows opens today (November 11). I was up at Timberline today--pow and crowds, crowds of the sort you don't usually see at T-line.

They kept promising the Mile but it hadn't opened by the time I left--visibility and avalanche control were the stated issues.

Still, pretty sweet snow, and I have to concur with one kid I rode the chair with--"There's some sick snow here today!"

 

[oragejuice]

Bachelor is opening next Friday.

 

[PNWSkier]

Looks like I will be watching it all from the "sidelines"!!!

 

[Christy]

The reports I heard of Baker on opening day sounded amazing. They have a 72" base, and everything is open, even the backcountry. People were in powder knee or even chest deep. And it's looking good for Stevens, you know it's snowing when the highway looks like this:
https://www.stevenspass.com/Stevens/info/mountain-cams.aspx

 

[geargrrl]

Lookout Pass is opening this weekend.

 

[Gloria]

Lookout Pass is opening this weekend.

I saw that on the news a couple nights ago. Tempting. I haven't been, have you? Wondering if it's worth it. Looked from the news like they had a decent amount of snow.

 

[geargrrl]

I haven't been up there since the expansions, but it's a lot of fun. Lookout's reputation is always for good snow as they are so high. I like it as one of the best "keeping it real" ski areas.:D You know, people in their hunting clothes and carhartts, on ancient gear, just ripping it up.

 

[Gloria]

I like keeping it real, would love to go but just realized, one of us has yet to get bindings on their skis. Maybe next weekend though if I can get it together.

 

[Christy]

Stevens Pass had 100% of their terrain/lifts open today, which is the earliest anyone can remember it being fully open. Coverage was great, not early season at all. Snowed all day and it's pouring and cold here in Seattle tonight so that means it's dumping up there. Up to 8" tonight and 7" more tomorrow predicted.

And Whistler has gotten 200" so far this month!! I think Mt Baker must be close to that. Some El Nino year.

 

[skibum4ever]

Couldn't you pretty please send some snow down to Tahoe and Mammoth? And maybe let a few flakes get through to CO? Oh wait, there are a lot of flakes in CO, not to mention in CA.

But seriously, I need some powder, not man-made hardpack, but POWDER!!!!!!

 

[oragejuice]

And Whistler has gotten 200" so far this month!! I think Mt Baker must be close to that. Some El Nino year.

Opening weekend at Bachelor has been epic, but I'm headed to Stevens/Baker/Alpental this next week. I can't freaking wait. SO MUCH SNOW!!!

 

[skipink]

Here's a link to opening day at Mt Baker. Most of these guys are boarders but the snow is still awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4Y9WGQl-Fo

 

[Christy]

There was an interesting bit on the news about local ski resorts (the video shows Stevens). Business has been up 50-80% statewide so far this year, which on one hand seems like a no-brainier, due to the early openings, but given the recession and the fact that some smaller ski areas are struggling, is good to hear. The Stevens GM said that recessions don't matter to his business--it's all about the snow. I wouldn't have guessed that.

https://www.king5.com/news/business/Washingtons-ski-business-booming-80485552.html