The Summit at Snoqualmie has the reputation of having the best freestyle terrain in the state.
The pros voted Stevens Pass the best base lodge in the state.
Last season’s tropical winter might have kept you from using your ski poles, but it couldn’t stop our ski poll. In pursuit of the best – and occasionally the worst – Washington has to offer, we conducted a survey that’s about as scientific as your horoscope. We circulated informal questionnaires to our readers and polled a couple dozen skiing and boarding experts from ski shops and the pro ranks around the state. Some responded with insightful answers, others with too much information (two Olympia readers say they like to ski naked) and some just asked us to leave them alone. Check and see how your favorites compare.
Like everywhere else in Washington last season, Mount Baker had a sub-par snow year. Still, it got 439 inches, just 52 inches fewer than California’s Mammoth Mountain got in setting its all-time high.
If Debbie Armstrong had to pick her favorite ski run in Washington, it would not be Debbie’s Gold next to the Armstrong Express lift at Alpental.
The idea to highlight the best of Washington skiing and snowboarding was spawned before the start of last winter. Outdoors writer Craig Hill thought it would be a great way to get the inside track on the state’s ski industry.
Olympic slalom skier Tom Rothrock says his favorite ski run in the state is Skookum at Mission Ridge.
All the information you'll need to explore Washington's lesser known ski areas, like Hurricane Ridge and Eastern Washington locales that range from kiddy hills to trips of a lifetime.
There’s only one way to determine how good a pair of skis are – strap them on and point them downhill. In April, we did just that in Crystal Mountain’s Green Valley with some of the best offerings for 2006.
One of the best parts of ski season is drooling over the latest gear. And, let’s face it, with so little snow, checking out the gear might have been the best part of last ski season. Last year’s gear is probably still new to you, but if you’re in the market, here are some of this season’s hottest items.
Washington is rich with opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and learning about these winter activities. Eric Redrup admits that the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club probably made a mistake last winter.
If you are not fit for ski season, you likely won’t get all $50 worth of satisfaction out of your lift ticket. But more important, you risk injuries. To be ready for ski season, Scott Melvin, a snowboarder and fitness manager at Lakewood’s 24 Hour Fitness, says you must train your lower body and your body core to improve strength and stability. In addition to 20 to 60 minutes of varied cardiovascular activities at least three times a week, he suggests these exercises, demonstrated by himself and fellow trainer Lisa Masters. – Craig Hill, The News Tribune
The state’s nonmotorized Sno-Parks are some of the most popular cross-country skiing trail systems in the state. To use these trail systems, you must purchase a pass for your vehicle. Passes are $8 per day, $20 for a season pass and an additional $20 for a Special Groomed Trail pass. For information, visit parks.wa.gov/winter.
McCALL, Idaho – Don’t be fooled by the bra tree; Brundage is a family ski hill.
SQUAW VALLEY, Calif. – The snowboarder sitting to my right on the cable car says he’ll tell me what he’s up to as long as I don’t use his name. Turns out what he’s doing is the fastest way to lose your lift ticket in Tahoe.
There is more to skiing and boarding in Washington than the Cascade ski areas.
Bellingham-based cross-country ski instructor Steve Hindman offers several tips for choosing equipment in his new book, 'Cross-Country Skiing: Building Skills for Fun and Fitness.'
Quit putting off making plans to book that dream West Coast ski trip with information on the top resorts from Alaska to Tahoe.
Folks looking for fresh powder to help celebrate Thanksgiving better hope the trip over the river to Grandma’s house takes them to Oregon or Canada.
Tim Wolfgram says it’s quite something to be there for the birth of a ski resort.
From Stevens Pass marketing director Lori Vandenbrink’s rejected promotional campaign file: “Stevens Pass, we encourage bad behavior.”
Mary Vanderwall’s ski lesson seems normal enough.
Five pieces of cool gear
QUICK LINKS
SNOW REPORTS
Snow report provided by OnTheSnow. The snow report widget is most likely not displaying because you have JavaScript disabled. To see the Ski Report for every ski area in the world visit OnTheSnow or click on these popular regions:
WASHINGTON SKI AREAS
Click on icon for ski area information
MOST POPULAR
Local internet marketing by PaperG
CONTESTS
