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Snow means good conditions on slopes
THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Last updated: December 24th, 2008 11:45 PM (PST)
The weather forecast for the holiday weekend is full of good news for skiers and snowboarders. Snow is expected at higher elevations from today through Sunday.
That should make for some great conditions at ski areas throughout the Cascades.
Conditions at Crystal earlier this week were described as machine groomed on the main trails with powder and packed powder in the backcountry. The resort will begin its express bus service starting Friday. The buses will normally run Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Friday and Jan. 19.
For schedules and other details, check the area’s Web site at www.skicrystal.com.
White Pass is getting enough snow that it is close to opening its steeper runs, according to its Web site. The area has 38 inches at the base and 43 inches at the summit, with plenty of powder to ski.
Snowboarders may want to head to The Summit at Snoqualmie on Saturday. The area is hosting Jib This! one of the best terrain park boarding events in the area. Registration is from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the Main Central Lodge. The entry fee is $20.
Overall, conditions range from machine groomed to powder, with snow depths of at least 35 inches at the base.
For those thinking of heading into the backcountry, the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center forecast calls for conditions to worsen as the week progresses.
Increasing moderate to heavy snow and strong winds are expected and should cause an increasing danger as new unstable layers load existing weak snow, said the center’s forecast. The greatest danger increase should develop on steep lee slopes at higher elevations, mainly northeast- to east-facing slopes, the forecast said.
Jeffrey P. Mayor
Snow lines, Web sites
Crystal Mountain: 1-888-SKI-6199, www.skicrystal.com
Mission Ridge: 1-509-663-3200, www.missionridge.com
Mount Baker: 360-671-0211, www.mtbaker.us
Stevens Pass: 206-634-1645, www.stevenspass.com
Summit at Snoqualmie: 206-236-1300, www.summit-at-snoqualmie.com
White Pass: 1-509-672-3100, www.skiwhitepass.com
Mountain pass information: 1-800-695-7623
Daily ski report
You can find daily ski and snow reports by visiting www.thenewstribune.com/weather/ski_report.
Originally published: December 24th, 2008 11:45 PM (PST)
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