Washington State

Washington ski season delayed by flooding, lack of snow. Which resorts are open?

A snowboarder and skier are shown at 49°North Mountain Resort in Chewelah, Washington.
A snowboarder and skier are shown at 49°North Mountain Resort in Chewelah, Washington. Photo from 49°North Mountain Resort

It’s been a slow start to ski season in Washington state.

While ski resorts in the Evergreen State typically open for skiing, snowboarding and other winter recreation spots in late fall, they haven’t had such luck in 2025.

Ski areas in Eastern Washington haven’t had enough snowpack, and areas on the west side of the state have been impacted by what Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson called “extremely unpredictable” floods.

However, conditions are beginning to take shape for the season. Some ski hills have opened for the season, some have limited early-season options and others are still waiting to announce opening dates.

For the last week of 2025, what ski options are open in Washington? Which are still closed? Here’s what we know:

Crystal Mountain’s new Rainier Express top terminal is shown, with Mount Rainier in the back.
Crystal Mountain’s new Rainier Express top terminal is shown, with Mount Rainier in the back. Photo from Crystal Mountain Resort/Henri Halle

Which ski resorts are open in Western Washington?

Current mountain conditions vary depending on where you are in Washington state.

Here’s which Western Washington resorts were open to winter sports enthusiasts as of Wednesday, Dec. 24:

The largest ski resort in the state, Crystal Mountain covers 2,600 acres and 2,400 vertical feet of opportunity. The Pierce County resort sits on the corner of Mount Rainier National Park and offers views of the Cascade Range. The resort is open for regular access.

In the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, the Mount Baker Ski Area is sitting on the “deepest snow base in Washington and Oregon,” according to the ski area’s latest condition report. The resort opened for the season on Monday, Dec. 22, and will remain open through the holidays.

About an hour from Seattle, the Summit at Snoqualmie boasts its variety of opportunities, several rental options and an easy environment for beginners. The ski area reopened Tuesday, Dec. 23, but with varying snow depth, certain trails may not be groomed every day, according to the area’s conditions update.

A young skier takes in the view of Wentachee and the Columbia River from Mission Ridge.
A young skier takes in the view of Wentachee and the Columbia River from Mission Ridge. Craig Hill chill@thenewstribune.com

Where can I go skiing in Eastern Washington?

The following Eastern Washington ski resorts were open as of Wednesday:

Seated on the east side of the Cascade Crest, Mission Ridge claims to have the highest quality snow for winter sports enthusiasts in the state. The resort opened with limited availability on Sunday, Dec. 21, and has continued to open additional chairs as snow allows.

White Pass along Mount Rainier is a popular, family-friendly option for winter recreation. The ski area reopened Sunday for daily operation as conditions allow.

Some parts of the ski area still have early season conditions with “exposed rocks and other obstacles,” according to the start-of-season condition update.

What ski hills in Eastern Washington have early season availability?

Some ski hills in Eastern Washington have tentatively opened for early season availability, offering limited options for winter sports enthusiasts itching to get out before all the slopes are ready.

Each of the following resorts advises checking conditions online before heading out, and remaining updated on available options upon arrival.

Cross-country skiers make their way across an open meadow at the west end of Jack’s Trail on the Mazama ski trails in the Methow Valley.
Cross-country skiers make their way across an open meadow at the west end of Jack’s Trail on the Mazama ski trails in the Methow Valley. Janet Jensen Staff file, 2008

Methow Trails sits in a high pocket of the North Cascades and is a popular trail running option. According to a trail update on Wednesday, Dec. 24, part of the ski area was open for season pass holders, but other parts were not yet skiable.

The Plain Valley Ski Trails support programs operating on the trails, including a women’s adventure club and a barrier-free youth education groups. Kids always ski for free. Early-season day passes were available as of Wednesday, while limited trailheads were open, according to the latest grooming report.

A volunteer-run ski and tubing area in the Lake Chelan Valley, Echo Valley Ski and Tubing Area is a family-friendly option for winter recreation. It was open for tubing only as of Wednesday as locals wait for more snow.

Which ski areas in Washington state are still closed?

While conditions are steadily improving across Washington state, many winter recreation spots are still unable to pinpoint opening dates.

Skiers and snowboarders come down Gemini under the power lines on the back side of the mountain Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at Stevens Pass, Washington.
Skiers and snowboarders come down Gemini under the power lines on the back side of the mountain Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at Stevens Pass, Washington. Jennifer Buchanan TNS

Most notably, Stevens Pass Ski Resort outside of Skykomish was closed as of Wednesday following storms that damaged Highway 2 and shut down a key stretch of the roadway. The highway is expected to be closed for months, Ferguson said during a Dec. 16 news conference.

In Western Washington, the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area in Olympic National Park hopes to open Friday, Dec. 26, conditions permitting.

The following Eastern Washington ski areas have yet-to-be-determined opening dates for the season:

This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Washington ski season delayed by flooding, lack of snow. Which resorts are open?."

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