STEVENS PASS — Skiers and snowboarders here are leaving last winter’s rocky turns in their tracks.
Slopes at the mountain resort got almost 13 feet of snow in December, according to state data.
By Saturday, the ski area had already surpassed last season’s dismal snowfall total of 184 inches, its worst on record.
“It’s been a polar opposite of last year,” said Chris Danforth, a Stevens Pass spokesman.
Riders are relishing turns covered in dry, fluffy powder. That’s unusual for the Pacific Northwest, which usually has a heavy, wet snow known as Cascade concrete.
With about 189 inches of snowfall so far this winter, Stevens is on its way to meeting its seasonal average of 460 inches by the time the resort usually shuts down in late April.
The season got off to a slow start earlier this month. There was just enough snow to open the mountain’s beginner terrain Dec. 4.
Now, the 1,125-acre resort is in full swing with 10 chair lifts running.
“There was a lot of skepticism going into this season but the conditions are absolutely awesome right now,” said Stevens Pass spokeswoman Alysa Hetze. “Everyone is hootin’ and hollerin’ and you see smiles on their faces.”
Northwest Avalanche Center Director Kenny Kramer said the snow should stick around with several days of cool, dry weather in the forecast for Stevens Pass.
“What is it going to do in the future? I’m not certain,” the meteorologist said.
Avalanche danger around the ski area increased with the heavy snowfall earlier this month, Kramer said.
Now, he said, the snow has settled and is fairly stable. On Tuesday evening, Kramer described the avalanche danger from moderate to low around the base of the mountain.
Moderate avalanche danger remains near and above the treeline because of concern about the wind causing instability by moving snow, Kramer said.
Stevens is known for backcountry access. Before heading off-grid, Kramer warns people to make sure they have the appropriate training and gear in case of an avalanche.
More information and forecasts are available on the Northwest Avalanche Center website at nwac.us.
Despite the recent snowfall, this winter’s totals are expected to be slightly below average, Kramer said. Skiers and snowboarders can still keep their fingers crossed for more Pacific Northwest powder.
“Hopefully the snow keeps falling,” Hetze said.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
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