STEVENS PASS — As slush slowly melts away and spring slips into summer, Stevens Pass undergoes an almost unbelievable transformation.
Snowy hills owned by skiers and snowboarders just months ago are replaced by disc golfers and bold BMX riders barreling down the resort’s highest summits that are now dotted with flowers and wildlife.
Summer at Stevens Pass is just different and as of Friday, you can experience it for yourself as the park is officially open for the season.
“We have this amazing mountain that a lot of people only know about in the winter time, but it’s such a great place in the summer,” said Ted Everson, bike park operations manager.
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday through late September, offerings at Stevens include the aforementioned mountain biking and disc golf, in addition to hiking, scenic rides on the chairlift and almost weekly events aimed at attracting a wide-ranging audience.
With eyes set toward new niches, an easier, more family-friendly disc golf course was added this year in conjunction with the more challenging course played down the mountain. Additionally, Stevens Pass will host a series of mountain biking events for women and girls.
“We are always looking to increase women ridership, it’s definitely more male dominated in the sport,” said Kelly Carter, brand experience manager at Stevens Pass.
Sisters in Action Sports Ladies Day on July 27, Get the Girls Out on Aug. 10 and weekly ladies laps Friday evening from July 5 to Aug. 30 offer safe environments for novices looking to learn the sport or challenging communities for more advanced riders.
Mountain bike lessons and camps for children and adults are also available to make a Stevens Pass trip a family experience.
Stevens Pass, the only lift-served mountain bike park in the state, will host two of the Northwest Cup mountain bike races, including the downhill series’ finale from Sept. 6-8.
Bikers of all ages and skill levels, with proper licensing, can register for the cup events.
From July 19 to 21, the Northwest Mountain Challenge, a 3-D archery challenge, will make its return to Stevens Pass.
Fun on the mountain isn’t free. Ticket prices to the bike park vary, the disc golf fee is $15 and a ride on the chairlift is $15 as well. Rental options are also available at Stevens Pass for mountain bikes and flying discs.
The resort is open noon to 8 p.m. on Fridays through Aug. 16 and then from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays through the end of September and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s so beautiful here in the summer that it is hard to explain and the best way for people to come and see all that is to come up and try things,” Everson said.
Ian Davis-Leonard: 425-339-3449; idavisleonard@heraldnet.com. Twitter: IanDavisLeonard.
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