STEVENS PASS — Hold up there, ski bum.
Snow might fall in the lowlands and mountains this weekend, but Stevens Pass ski resort hasn’t set its opening day yet.
“Realistically, with the amount of snow we need to get, it’s just not possible with the storm system we’re seeing now,” Stevens Pass spokesman Chris Rudolph said.
About 14 inches of snow piled up at the base of the slopes by Friday. That’s roughly half of what Stevens Pass needs.
Ski resort officials will huddle again Monday to look at forecasts tailored to the mountain, and see if they can schedule opening day.
Stevens Pass usually opens around Dec. 1.
Lower elevations of Snohomish County could see a mix of rain and snow showers by Saturday night and into Monday, but significant accumulations aren’t expected.
A cold snap is predicted to drop temperatures into the 20s over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Seattle.
In anticipation, emergency shelters in Lynnwood and Everett are opening for people who need a warm place to go.
With rain, snow and freezing temperatures, “ice becomes a concern,” meteorologist Johnny Burg said. Temperatures are expected to warm up by Wednesday and through Thanksgiving.
“People should pay attention to the forecast for the next several days and monitor the road conditions,” Burg said.
Skiers are certainly keeping an eye on the forecast, with hopes running high for a good season. The Northwest is facing a La Nina year. The weather pattern could dump more snow on the mountains.
Other ski resorts already are getting their chairlifts moving.
The Mount Baker Ski Area will open today. Crystal Mountain opened with limited operations Friday.
Both those slopes are about 2 1/2 hours from Everett. Stevens Pass, roughly 90 minutes away, is the home slope for most Snohomish County skiers.
The resort has almost all the pieces it needs to open in place. Staff has been hired. Lifts have been certified.
Now it just needs a boost from Mother Nature.
“We’re getting close, but with the drying and cooling forecast for the days ahead, even this recent walloping of snow may not be enough,” Rudolph said. “It’ll come.”
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com
Shelters open
With cold weather expected this weekend, two shelters are opening.
The South Snohomish County Emergency Shelter Network will open today through Monday. Meet at Lynnwood City Hall, 19100 44th Ave. W. no later than 7 p.m. for a ride to a church that is part of the South Snohomish County Emergency Shelter network.
For more information, call Pastor Eileen Hanson at 425-478-9784.
A Salvation Army Emergency Cold Weather Shelter will open Sunday night at 2525 Rucker Ave. in Everett.
The shelter will receive guests from 8 to 10 p.m. It will close at 7 a.m. Monday morning.
A decision to open the Everett shelter on subsequent days will be made after noon weather forecasts each day.
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