Washington winter fun

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin may be in the flatlands, sort of, but area residents who enjoy the slopes have a lot of options to choose from just a bit of a road trip away if they’re craving a ski weekend. With the recent snow, packing up skis and poles may be a good way to have an adventure as spring starts to peek around the corner. 

Please note that the information below is subject to change as the season’s weather adds or takes away from the snowpack. Snow conditions vary throughout the winter and readers are encouraged to visit the respective resort’s website or call ahead to verify conditions, reservation options and equipment availability.  

Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area 

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March, Hurricane Ridge boasts an average annual snowfall of 400 inches. The Monday forecast called for more snow on Wednesday on the slopes to help ensure a good weekend on the slopes. The ski area offers two rope tows and one poma lift. Rates are available online at hurricaneridge.com.

Mt. Baker Ski Area  

Hit machine-groomed packed powder hills at Mt. Baker allow skiers of any experience level to track down a slope that’s right for them. Beginners can hit the Home Run, 7 Hills, Roly Poly or Big Creek slopes while more advanced skiers have multiple black diamond and double black diamond runs to choose from including The Chute and Canuck’s Delux. Various lifts help visitors get to the top of the slope and enjoy the trip back down. Tickets and hours are available at mtbaker.us or by calling 360-734-6771.  

Loup Loup Ski Bowl 

This 300-acre ski resort offers visitors a chance to hit the slopes with a variety of packages for visitors to enjoy when visiting Wednesdays or Fridays through Sundays. Lessons are available for beginners, and it isn’t all about downhill skiing. Sledding, snowboarding, tubing and cross-country skiing are all on the menu for those who drive to the mountain between Twisp and Okanogan. More info is available at skitheloup.org or by calling 509-557-3401. Daily hours are good through Feb. 23, though the season may be extended. Call ahead to verify.  

Echo Valley Ski Area  

If you’re traveling with the little ones, Echo Valley may be the right place for you. Located a few miles from downtown Chelan, the ski area offers lessons, rentals, and several ticket options. Three rope tows, a poma lift and a tubing hill lift are all available to help visitors get the most of their day of adventure on the snow. The slopes offer multiple difficulty levels for the first time or the more advanced ski enthusiast. Most slopes are for those of intermediate skill. A lodge is available on-site. Skiechovalley.com offers more information for those interested.  

Badger Mountain Ski Area  

Located near Waterville, the Badger Mountain Ski Resort is staffed by a 100% volunteer crew that is passionate about skiing. The resort’s webcams showed clear skies and a reported 33 inches of base snow Monday morning. Generally open through March, Badger Mountain offers a tow rope on the bunny hill and B hill and a T-Bar on the A hill. Other runs are accessible from those three lifts. Tickets may be some of the most affordable in the Pacific Northwest with lift tickets being $15 and sledding coming in at $10 per family. Lunches are available at the lodge as well. More information may be found at skibadgermt.org.  

Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort  

One of the nearest to the Columbia Basin, Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort is located near Wenatchee. The resort offers lessons, rentals and a variety of ticket packages. The resort offers several lifts to provide access to trails with a variety of difficulty levels. More information is available at missionridge.com. The resort may be contacted at 509-663-3200. 

Crystal Mountain Resort  

Crystal Mountain is open daily during the ski season and visitors are advised to make parking reservations ahead of time on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If you’re just visiting for the views, enjoy a ride on the scenic gondola, but if you’re there for some skiing, season passes, lifts and lessons are available. Equipment is available for rental or purchase as well. Get an amazing view of Mt. Rainier from the Gondola or simply enjoy the scenery while heading down on a snowboard or skis. Slopes are available for all experience levels. The facility also offers RV parking. The resort offers a mobile app or you can find information by visiting crystalmountainresort.com.  

White Pass Ski Area  

White Pass sits a short 12-mile hop southeast of Mt. Rainier National Park at the summit of U.S. Highway 12 with lodging available in nearby Packwood or a slightly longer drive away in Yakima. The resort offers six beginner slopes, 23 intermediate-skill ski trails, 11 runs for experts and three double black diamond runs. Most of the slopes are machine groomed, but grooming is less likely as difficulty increases. Snowshoeing, tubing and other activities are available during the winter as well. More information at skiwhitepass.com.  

Bluewood  

Located near Dayton, Bluewood is located in the Umatilla National Forest and offers a little something for people of all levels of experience. Gear rentals and lessons for adults and children are available for those who want to see if skiing is the hobby for them, but if you’d prefer, there’s no reason not to go on a snowmobile adventure instead. It’s up to the visitor.  Ski trails include a little something for the beginner, the more experienced slope enthusiast or the expert downhill thrill seeker. Slopes are generally located on either side of a ridge accessed by the Skyline Express Triple Chair lift. Find out more at bluewood.com.  

Stevens Pass/Stevens Pass Nordic Center  

Fourteen lifts help provide access to Stevens Pass’s 57 trails that were reported 100% open Monday morning. The ski center offers trails for all skill levels and lessons for those new to the sport. Those who want a beautiful nighttime adventure can even take advantage of occasional night skiing. Check the website, stevenspass.com, or call ahead, 206-812-4510, for event and pass information.  

Leavenworth Ski Hill  

Leavenworth Ski Hill had nearly 7 inches of fresh snow last week giving it a base of 16 inches of snow as of Monday. Seven slopes are open, though the ski jump was closed as of Monday morning. In addition to skiing, the resort offers tubing, snowshoeing and fat biking for visitors to have fun and enjoy the snow. Sledding Nordic skiing are also on the menu at Leavenworth. Tickets must be purchased in person. More information is available at skileavenworth.com or by calling 509-548-5477.  

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort 

The last offering on this list is 49 Degrees North near Chewelah. Sitting at nearly 4,000 feet above sea level, the large resort offers something for everyone. Nordic skiing, lessons, the proverbial “bunny slope” and several black diamond trails for slope enthusiasts to enjoy. Lessons are available for newcomers to the hobby and equipment is available for rent. Those needing a repair can hit the pro shop for a little help with that as well. Accommodations are available on-site or nearby. A variety of special events are also offered. Visit ski49n.com for additional information or call 509-935-6649. 

    While downhill and Nordic – also known as cross-country – skiing are the main items on the menu in most cases, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and even fat biking – using a bicycle with a ski mounted on the front, are all available in Washington, depending on where you visit. Make sure to dress warm and plan your path when heading out into the winter woods.
  

    Snowboarding has become almost as popular, and in some cases more popular, than skiing, depending on where you go. Crystal Mountain Resort, pictured, offers snowboarders a variety of special events and trails to compete in or just enjoy in general. The Evergreen State’s ski facilities offer amazing views of the surrounding areas.