Washington’s year-round beauty is undeniable. But come winter, the state transforms into a haven for skiing and snowboarding aficionados. Here are some of the state’s best ski resorts to check out this season.
Mount Baker Ski Area
Deming
Located just over an hour north of Bellingham in northern Washington is Mount Baker Ski Area—that shares a border with North Cascades National Park. The 1,000 acres of skiable terrain you’ll find at Mount Baker sits between the towering peaks of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. With an average of over 600 inches of snow each season, the Mount Baker Ski Area receives the most snowfall out of any ski resort in Washington. For more information, visit www.mtbaker.us.
Crystal Mountain Resort
Enumclaw
Crystal Mountain Resort—the largest ski resort in Washington state—sits in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park and provides 2,600 skiable acres to shred, 10 chairlifts, and one eight-passenger gondola to ride into the sky. If the weather is right, Crystal Mountain also provides one of the best views of Rainier in the entire state. For more information, visit www.crystalmountainresort.com.
Stevens Pass Resort
Skykomish
Stevens Pass—which spans three sides of two different mountains—is a pinnacle of Washington skiing. The resort features more than 1,125 acres to explore, and nearly 460 inches of average snowfall each winter. Stevens Pass boasts 10 different chairlifts, including four high-speed quads, that service the large amount of terrain. For more information, visit www.stevenspass.com.
Alpental Ski Resort
King County
Included within the four ski areas that make up Summit at Snoqualmie, Alpental Ski Resort is unique in that it’s located on the other side of Interstate 90 from the rest of the resort, and the ski area also offers more variety and challenging terrain. With over 800 acres, Alpental consists primarily of more difficult runs suited to advanced skiers. For more information, visit summitatsnoqualmie.com.
Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park
Spokane
Located only 25 miles from Spokane is Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park—a ski park that features 1,700 skiable acres, six chairlifts and an average of 300 inches of snowfall a year. Visitors hail the area for its quality of snow that’s produced throughout the season, as a result of its location on the drier east side of Washington state. For more information, visit www.mtspokane.com.