Washington ski resorts are experiencing significant snowfall, with some areas receiving major accumulations. Corral Pass saw 84 inches in the last 24 hours, while Skookum Creek recorded 99 inches. Stevens Pass, a major resort, has a snowpack depth of 203 inches and is expecting 10 inches over the next five days. Paradise at Mount Rainier has a snow depth of 150 inches, with 15 inches forecasted. White Pass and Crystal Mountain, other key ski destinations, are also set for fresh snow, with White Pass expecting 10 inches and Crystal likely benefiting from nearby Bumping Ridge and Cayuse Pass, which are forecasting 7-10 inches.
The heaviest snowfall in the coming days is expected in Buckinghorse (35 inches), Swift Creek (29 inches), and Potato Hill (21 inches), impacting areas near Mount St. Helens and the Cascade Range. The Olympic Mountains, including Buckinghorse, will also see a substantial increase, making Hurricane Ridge a likely benefactor. Cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane may experience travel impacts due to snow accumulation in the passes. Skiers should target Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain, and White Pass for the best conditions, with fresh powder expected through the week.
Ski Area | Air Temp (F) | Snowfall | Snowpack | vs Avg | SWE | 24hr Forecast | 72hr Forecast | 120hr Forecast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
47 | 0 | 25 | +65% | 8 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
42 | 1 | 38 | +37% | 12 | 0 | 6 | 3 | |
42 | 1 | 64 | +26% | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
43 | 0 | 82 | +17% | 34 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
41 | 5 | 135 | +15% | 59 | 0 | 10 | 8 | |
45 | 1 | 118 | +11% | 49 | 0 | 10 | 16 | |
44 | 2 | 37 | +9% | 13 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
40 | 1 | 123 | +9% | 54 | 0 | 6 | 10 | |
41 | 1 | 35 | +8% | 11 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
42 | 0 | 84 | -2% | 32 | 0 | 10 | 9 | |
38 | 1 | 68 | -5% | 30 | 0 | 6 | 7 | |
43 | 1 | 35 | -11% | 13 | 0 | 6 | 3 | |
37 | 5 | 52 | -17% | 19 | 0 | 10 | 2 | |
39 | 2 | 203 | -32% | 36 | 0 | 8 | 10 | |
39 | 2 | 203 | -32% | 36 | 0 | 6 | 10 |
Washington state boasts a number of ski resorts that offer a variety of terrain and experiences for skiers and snowboarders. Some of the most popular resorts in the state include Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, and Mount Baker.
Crystal Mountain, located in the Cascade Range, has an average snowfall of over 450 inches per season and boasts over 2,600 acres of skiable terrain. Stevens Pass, about an hour and a half from Seattle, has an average snowfall of over 450 inches per season and offers 1,125 acres of skiable terrain. Snoqualmie Pass, located close to Seattle, has an average snowfall of over 440 inches per season and offers over 1,200 acres of skiable terrain. Mount Baker, located in the North Cascades, has an average snowfall of over 650 inches per season and boasts over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain.
The snowpacks in Washington can vary greatly depending on the location and elevation of the resort. Generally, the snowpacks are deepest in the Cascade Range and the North Cascades, where the resorts with the highest average snowfall are located.
The best month to visit Washington for skiing typically falls between January and March, when the snowpacks are typically at their peak and the weather is often mild enough for comfortable skiing conditions.