Good year expected for Northwest ski areas

  • Andrew Wineke / Herald Writer
  • Friday, November 16, 2001 9:00pm
  • Life

By Andrew Wineke

Herald Writer

So, after one of the worst ski seasons in recent memory, what do the ski resorts do?

Sensibly, they spend all summer smoothing and grooming their mountains, so they can operate with less snow. Ah, guys, hate to tell you this, but, all that effort? Wasted.

This is shaping up to be a great snow year, but the recent warm weather has dashed hopes of an early opening. Big White, up in central British Columbia, opened in October.

Local skiers and snowboarders are champing at the bit to ditch the rainy lowlands for the frozen peaks, but before you go, you’d better know what’s up, down and new at the ski areas.

In terms of new, the answer is not much. Many local resorts have been bought, sold, upgraded and regraded in recent years and everyone seems to be standing pat this season.

"Quite frankly, at Stevens we’ve spent quite a bit over the last four years, so this year is just kind of catching our breath," said John Gifford, Stevens Pass’ marketing director.

That means, for most Northwest ski areas, no new high-speed quads, no sparkling new lodges and precious few fabulous new runs.

Concerns over the economy and travel have prompted some of the destination resorts to start off the season with some nice deals. Shop around at any of the smaller British Columbia or Idaho resorts and you can find some very cheap ski-and-stay packages.

Almost all of the local ski areas hope to be open early, the snow gods permitting. The exceptions are Mount Hood Meadows and Mount Bachelor down in Oregon, both of which hoped to open today. A good dump of snow could really help conditions, but, until that blessed blizzard arrives, keep a close eye on the bases and pack your rock skis.

Washington

Stevens Pass

On U.S. 2 near Skykomish

Phone: 206-812-4510

Tickets: $43

Snow report: 425-353-4400

Web site: www.stevenspass.com

What’s new: Summer grooming to improve low-snow conditions, day care and ski program for children ages 3 to 10.

The Summit at Snoqualmie

On I-90 near North Bend

Phone: 425-434-7669

Tickets: $38

Snow report: 206-236-1600

Web site: www.summit-at-snoqualmie.com

Crystal Mountain

On Crystal Mountain Boulevard outside of Enumclaw

Phone: 360-663-2265

Tickets: $43

Snow report: 888-SKI-6199

Web site: www.skicrystal.com

Mount Baker

On Highway 542 outside of Glacier

Phone: 360-734-6771

Tickets: $34

Snow report: 360-671-0211

Web site: www.mtbakerskiarea.com

What’s new: Upgraded chair 2 to a quad.

White Pass

On Highway 12 southeast of Mount Rainier National Park

Phone: 509-672-3101

Tickets: $36

Snow report:509-672-3100

Web site: www.skiwhitepass.com

What’s new: Beginner carpet lift and a triple chair serving the beginners’ area.

Mission Ridge

Off U.S. 2 near Wenatchee

Phone:509-663-6543

Tickets: $37

Snow report:509-663-3200

Web site: www.missionridge.com

British Columbia

Whistler/Blackcomb

North of Vancouver, B.C.

Phone: 800-766-0449

Tickets: Varies with package

Web site: www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

What’s new: 40 acres of snowboard terrain parks, divided into the "Super Park" and the "Choker Park."

Big White

Near Kelowna

Phone: 206-765-8888

Tickets: $52 Canadian

Web site: www.bigwhite.com

What’s new: Four new runs (all expert), daily heli-skiing from main parking lot.

Sun Peaks

Near Kamloops

Phone: 800-807-3257

Tickets: $49 Canadian.

Web site: www.sunpeaksresort.com

What’s new: Cat skiing on Mount Morrisey, opposite the main runs on Mount Tod.

Silver Star

Near Vernon

Phone: 800-663-4431

Tickets: $49 Canadian

Web site: www.silverstarmtn.com

What’s new: New restaurant in village, 100 acres of expert glade skiing. Oh, and the whole place was bought up by Big White two weeks ago. Too soon to tell what that means, but expect crossover lift tickets, upgraded lifts and the like in the future.

Apex

Near Penticton

Phone: 877-777-2739

Tickets: $44 Canadian

Web site: www.apexresort.com

Oregon

Mount Hood Meadows

On Highway 35 south of Hood River

Phone: 503-337-2222

Tickets: $44

Snow report: 503-227-7669

Web site: www.skihood.com

What’s new: Weekends-only snow skate park (think skateboarding on snow, or snowboarding without bindings).

Mount Bachelor

On Cascades Lakes Highway near Bend

Phone: 800-829-2442

Tickets: $42

Snow report: 541-382-7888

Web site: www.mtbachelor.com

What’s new: Expanded snowboard terrain park, reduced ticket prices (by $1).

Idaho

Bogus Basin

Near Boise

Phone: 800-367-4397

Tickets: $37

Web site: www.bogusbasin.com

What’s new: Not much. A few run improvements.

Brundage

Near McCall

Phone: 208-634-7462

Tickets: $34

Web site: www.brundage.com

What’s new: Snow cat skiing from base area.

Schweitzer

Near Sandpoint

Phone: 800-831-8810

Tickets: $40

Web site: www.schweitzer.com

Silver Mountain

Near Kellogg

Phone: 208-783-1111

Tickets: $32

Web site:www.silvermt.com

What’s new: Snow skate park, expanded beginners area, snowshoe trails and a skating rink.

Sun Valley

Near Ketchum

Phone: 800-786-8259

Tickets: $63

Web site:www.sunvalley.com

You can call Herald Writer Andrew Wineke at 425-339-3465 or send e-mail to wineke@heraldnet.com.

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