Mt. Baker:
Legendary because: “The only place in the lower 48 states where you can hike for 30 minutes and feel like you’ve been dropped off in a helicopter in Alaska.” – quoted once in a snowboard magazine I read. Often photographed for the stunning views of Mt. Shuksan, shown above. She’s delivered some of the best runs of my life, and still slips flying, powder adventures into my dreams. Riding 1142″ inches in the 98/99 World Record Snow fall changed my life forever.
9.5/10: A lot of people know about Baker these days, they can claim more snow here than anywhere in the world. The Mt. Baker Ski Area rests in front of 9131′ foot Mt. Shuksan creating massive snow falls and extreme terrain all around.
Stevens Pass: Center of the cascade heavens, North West storms bring magical storms of fresh powder onto steep backcountry slopes. Hike along the many ridges and you’ll find some of the steepest runs in Washington. Plus you can keep your local Seattle day job and have time to snowboard each night!
Powder Rating: 9/10 Cold storms always needed, earn your turns for some of the best lift to hiking access in the North West.
Crystal Mountain: Almost a Seattle secret hidden behind the beautiful 14,411′ foot Mt. Rainer. When Crystal gets the big storms, it probably the best lift access backcountry in Washington.
Powder Rating: 8.5/10 Just one storm cycle behind other Northern resorts. Plan to earn some turns and see some amazing terrain.
Alpental: Legendary stories surface on everyone’s radar once in a while. Why don’t you check it out?
Powder Rating: 8/10 Marked two points low for its low elevation, and lower frequency of cold storms.
White Pass: New terrain is open & looks sweet! There are still a few lines I’d like to go back to and hit.
Powder Rating: 7/10 Washington gets it!
Bluewood: Fun but small and along the way to the Powder Highway! Serves the lower South East side of Washington with some fun runs and little bit of backcountry hiking access.
Powder Rating: 5.5/10 Arguably not the best mountain location in Washington.
49* North: Fuels North East Washington with a great local spot to ride!
Mt. Hood:
Meadows – is claimed to be the best of the 3 Hood resorts, locals rip the park up. Longer & faster runs.
SkiBowl – Actually has the steeper, more fun terrain but at a lower elevation. Good times!
Timberline – Good vibes, mellow, entrance to the top of Hood.
Bachelor: Top to bottom East Cascade mountain, they can claim more sunny days than any other North West resort. Very close to Bend, a fun mountain within 20 minute drive.
Hoodoo: Little Volcano riding, fun snow Cascadian style.
Anthony Lakes: Upper Volcano bowl delight! I rode here early season once but had some great fresh turns all around.
Ashland: The cirque is fun for a little steeps and tree exploration.
Oooooh Canada!
B.C.
Whistler/Blackcomb: Currently the #1 Destination Ski Resort in the world, which translates to: ski bum hell. Since the 2010 Olympics & jump on the dollar Whistler has delivered high prices for just about everything ($100 USD lift tickets). Its still the largest ski town infrastructure I know of making it quite the place to try to imagine living at. I’ve seen Whistler change a whole bunch since I first started coming up here in the mid-90′s. Still delivers a promising large North West storms all season just about every season.
Powder Rating: 9.5/10 One downside is the large crowds on thee occasional powder day, holiday, weekend or random event.
Beginning the Powder Highway
Red Mountain: One of the first resorts to open backcountry gate access in “Extreme Terrain!” Its kind of acquired a snobby vibe to it, but most people are pretty friendly plus this part of Canada naturally has a happy atmosphere.
Powder Rating: 10/10 – Not too many locals or visitors get a chance to ride every storm! Steep & Deep!
White Water: Steep, consistent light powder plus all the backcountry opportunities you could dream of!
Powder Rating: 10/10 – Shhh… don’t tell anybody.
