With the first week of December upon us more ski and snowboard resorts in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest are planning operations. Here is a rundown:
WASHINGTON
Crystal Mountain Resort is operating the Gondola & Green Valley Express chair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and plans to remain open through the Sunday, December 7. For more details on operations and current conditions go to http://crystalmountainresort.com/the-mountain/about/current-conditions/ or contact Tiana Anderson, tiana@skicrystal.com or 360-663-3012.
White Pass Ski Area will open this weekend, Saturday and Sunday December 6th and 7th for limited operation. The Far East Triple and Platter Lifts will be operating from 9 am until 3:30 pm. The resort is planning to place a few terrain park features in the base area as well. Beginner lessons will be available. For more information on conditions and operations go to http://skiwhitepass.com/the-mountain/snow-report.aspx or contact Kathleen Goyette, kat@skiwhitepass.com, 509-945-3189.
Mission Ridge Ski and Snowboard Park will be re-opening Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7 with Chairs 1 and 2 scheduled for operation. Also open will be food service, rental, retail, child care and the snowsports center for lessons. More information about Mission Ridge’s operations can be found on their website http://www.missionridge.com/news/re-opening-friday-chairs-1-2 or contact Sam Chapin, schapin@missionridge.com, 509-588-9404.
Methow Trails has over 75% of the trails (over 90 miles) open with more anticipated for the weekend including Mazama, Sun Mtn, and Rendezvous all getting some quality grooming. The trails officially opened on Thanksgiving Day with a 17 inch base. Daily grooming reports with real time GPS trail updates can be found at methowtrails.org, via the free Methow Trails app or by calling 509-996-3860.
OREGON
Mt Bachelor is open for daily operations with three lifts and potential another lift by the weekend. For up to date information about Mt Bachelor’s operations go to their website http://www.mtbachelor.com/site/plan/info/winterconditions or contact Spencer Weimar, sweimar@mtbachelor.com, 541-693-0953.
Timberline Lodge is currently scheduled to operate seven days a week, conditions permitting. For more information about operations please go to their website http://www.timberlinelodge.com/conditions/ or contact Jon Tullis, jtullis@timberlinelodge.com, 503-272-3134.
Mt Hood Skibowl Snow Tube & Adventure Park open Friday through Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM and Cosmic Tubing Friday through Saturday 5 PM to 11 PM. To get more information about Mt Hood Skibowl operations go to http://www.skibowl.com/winter/ or contact Hans Wipper, hans@go.skibowl.com, 503-819-0712.
IDAHO
Schweitzer Mountain Resort on Friday, December 5 will open for the season with 7 days/week operations. Lifts will be Musical Chairs double (and the Magic Carpet) as well as the Basin Express Quad. More information about Schweitzer’s operations and conditions can be found on their website http://www.schweitzer.com/mountain/snow-report/ or contact Sean Mirus, smirus@schweitzer.com, 208-263-9555.
Lookout Pass Ski Area is open with the majority of the front side of the mountain providing top to bottom skiing off of Chair #1. Chair 4 is also open. For more information go to their website https://skilookout.com/ or contact Phil Edholm, phil@skilookout.com, 208-744-1234.
Silver Mountain Resort will be opening Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th, for skiing, boarding, tubing and scenic rides. The first gondola will load at 8:15am and lifts will run from 9am-4pm. Lifts planned to operate include chairs 1, 2 and the carpet. For current conditions and operations check the website http://www.silvermt.com/site_Snow-Report/SnowReport.aspx or contact Neal Scholey, Neals@silvermt.com, 208-783-1531.
ALASKA
Alyeska Resort will open Friday, December 5th from 10:30am – 3pm. Glacier Bowl Express will be the only lift open for skiing & riding. The Tram will operate for uploading & downloading only. To get current conditions and operations check the website http://www.alyeskaresort.com/snow-report.aspx or contact Jessica Pezak, jpezak@alyeskaresort.com, 907-754-2215.
Eaglecrest will open for the season on Saturday, December 6! The Porcupine Chair will operate from 9am to 3pm. A small terrain park feature will be set up as well. For more information about operations check the website www.SkiJuneau.com or contact Jeffra Clough, Jeffra.Clough@skijuneau.com, 907-790-2000 x219.
MONTANA
Whitefish Mountain Resort will open on Saturday, December 6 with new terrain and a new way to get there. Saturday’s Opening Day marks the first time guests can ride a lift to the top of Flower Point and ski or ride along the northeastern most boundary on the new Ridge Run. Lifts planned to be operating are: Chair 1, Chair 3, Chair 6, Flower Point, Chair 7, Chair 9, Bigfoot T-Bar (T-Bar2) and the Big Easy Carpet. For more information and current conditions go to the website http://skiwhitefish.com/the-glory/ or contact Riley Polumbus, rileyp@skiwhitefish.com, 406.862.1948
Many of the resorts in the Northwest are evaluating their current snow depths and watching the weather forecasts to determine when they will be opening. PNSAA will send updates as more resorts announce their opening dates. For the most up-to-date information on your favorite resort, please visit their website.
