What’s Open as of December 3, 2016

Posted on December 3rd, 2016

Contact: John Gifford, President, 877-533-5520
Release Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016

La Conner, WA – With the storms that arrived recently bringing snow to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest the 2016-2017 winter season has begun.  The skiing and snowboarding opportunities keep getting better by the day and forecasts are looking good for more snow in the mountains. Additional openings and increased lift operations have been announced for this weekend.  Here is a rundown:  

WASHINGTON

49 Degrees North Mountain Resort is operating lifts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5with more Lifts and terrain opening throughout the weekend. For more information regarding lifts and conditions go to www.ski49n.com or contact Kenleigh Hobby, KHobby@ski49n.com or 509-935-6649.

Crystal Mountain is operating daily 9 am to 4 pm with 9 lifts: Forest Queen, Mt. Rainier Gondola, Green Valley Express, Rainier Express, Quicksilver, Southback, Chair 6, Discovery and Chinook Express.   For the current operations and conditions go to: https://crystalmountainresort.com/the-mountain/current-conditions/ or contact Tiana Anderson, 360-663-3012 or tiana@skicrystal.com.

Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area will open for the season on Sunday, December 4 with 2 tows serving beginner/intermediate terrain and backcountry gate access. No Terrain Park or tubing.  Operations thereafter will follow the regular schedule – Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday.  During Christmas break the schedule will be open extra days on Dec. 23rd, 26th and the 30th as well as Jan 2nd.  For more information visit http://hurricaneridge.com/ or contact Frank Crippen, frank@nxnwsurf.com or 360-452-5144.

Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort will open with limited operations through Sunday, December 4. The resort will operate Chairs 1, 2 and the Pika Peak rope tow.  The resort will close Monday through Thursday, reopening Friday, December 9 for weekend operations. For more details on conditions and operations visit: https://www.missionridge.com/snow-report or contact Tony Hickok, ahickok@missionridge.com or 509-888-9404

Mt Baker is in full operation out of both base areas, with all three lodges and all 8 chair lifts open. For more information go to https://www.mtbaker.us/snow-report or contact Amy Trowbridge, amy@mtbaker.us or 360-734-6771.  

Mt Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is open operating 3 lifts and 11 trails.  For more details on conditions and operations go to: http://www.mtspokane.com/snowreport or contact Brad McQuarrie, brad@mtspokane.com or 509-238-7007.

Stevens Pass Mountain Resort is operating daily from 9 am to 4 pm with 6 lifts operating. Top Phlight terrain park is open as well.  Granite Peaks Lodge food and beverage service, lessons, rentals and retail store will be open.  For more operating and conditions details go to https://www.stevenspass.com/site/mountain/reports/snow-and-weather-report/@@snow-and-weather-report or contact Chris Danforth, christopher.danforth@stevenspass.com or 206-812-7856.

White Pass is open operating Great White, Platter & Carpet Lifts from 8:45 am – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.  The resort will begin daily operation all lifts beginning Thursday, December 8. Nordic Center is open in full-operation except Zig Zag for skiing and snowshoeing on trail but no single track. For conditions and schedule updates visit www.skiwhitepass.com or contact Kathleen Goyette, kat@skiwhitepass.com or 509-945-3189.

OREGON

Mt Bachelor is operating three chairlifts: Pine Marten, Skyliner and Sunshine.  The Nordic Center is open, Snowblast Tubing Park is open for walk-up tubing (Friday through Sunday). The West Village services are open & available.  For more information on operations and conditions go to http://www.mtbachelor.com/conditions-report/ or contact Stirling Cobb, scobbmtbachelor.com or 541-693-0953.  

Mt Ashland announced it will begin operations for the 2016-2017 season on Sunday, December 4.  Ariel chair and upper mountain will not be open due to a need for more snow, all the other lifts will be running on opening day. The Café, bar, retail shop, rentals, and lessons will be available. Terrain park features will be placed on Blossom for opening day. The resort will operate Sunday and Monday, in its regular five-day-a-week schedule, and close Tuesday and Wednesday.  It will re-open on Thursday, Dec. 8. For more information on operations and conditions visit www.mtashland.com or contact Hiram Towle, htowle@mtashland.com or 541-482-2897 ext. 224.

Mt Hood Meadows is operating daily with 9 lifts from 9 AM – 4 PM daily.    For more information go to https://www.skihood.com/the-mountain/conditions or contact Dave Tragethon, Dave.Tragethon@skihood.com or call 971-373-8111.

Mt Hood Skibowl is offering day tubing Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 10 am to 4 pm.   For more details go to: http://www.skibowl.com/winter/ or contact Hans Wipper, hans@go.skibowl.com or 503-272-3206 x1103.

Timberline Lodge is now open daily with 5 lifts from 9 am to 4 pm.  For more details and conditions go to: http://www.timberlinelodge.com/conditions/ or contact John Burton, jburton@timberlinelodge.com, (503) 272-3345.

Willamette Pass is open Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 on a limited basis from 9 am to 4 pm.  Planned operations will be the “Twilight” lift and “Magic Carpet” lift serving beginner and intermediate terrain.  Seven runs will be groomed.  For more information visit  http://www.willamettepass.com/index.php or contact Tim Wiper at 541-345-7669.

IDAHO

Lookout Pass Ski Area is operating Chair 1 and 4, the beginner chair. More lifts and terrain as conditions permit. The lodge, ski School and rental Shop will be in full operation. For details on current operations and conditions go to: https://skilookout.com/snow-report or contact Phil Edholm, phil@skilookout.com or 208-744-1234.

Schweitzer Mountain Resort is open for daily operations with Musical Chairs, Lakeview Triple and Basin Express Quad running from 9 am-3:30 pm.  For more information go to http://www.schweitzer.com/explore/snow-report/ or contact Dig Chrismer,  dchrismer@schweitzer.com or 208-263-9555, ext 2803.

Silver Mountain Resort has announced their start of the 2016-2017 season on Friday, December 2.  Lifts planning to be operated include Chair 1, 2 and the beginner conveyer lift 9 am – 3:30 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The first gondola will load at 8:15am.  More information go to http://www.silvermt.com/snow-report or contact Neal Scholey, neals@silvermt.com or 208-783-1111.

ALASKA

Alyeska Resort is in 7day-a-week operations with Bear Cub Quad and Ted’s Express from 10:30am to 5:30pm, and Wade’s Way Magic Carpet from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Alyeska Aerial Tram is open for sightseers and access to the Bore Tide Deli & Bar from 10:30 am through the evening for Seven Glaciers fine dining. For more details on lifts and conditions visit http://www.alyeskaresort.com/snow-report or contact Shannon Markley smarkley@alyeskaresort.com or 907-754-2546.

Eaglecrest Ski Area is open Saturday, December 3rd with Porcupine lift 9 am o 4 pm. Hooter, Ptarmigan, and Black Bear, along with the Nordic Trails will be closed until more snow is received. The Eaglecrest Grill, repair shop and Snowsports School will be open.  For more information go to: http://www.skijuneau.com/ or contact Jeffra Clough, Jeffra_Clough@ci.juneau.ak.us or 907-790-2000.

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.  

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The Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association is a non-profit trade association, which represents the interests of 35 ski and snowboard facilities located in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and California.  The Association’s member ski areas – most of which operate on public land – collectively host an estimated 5.1 million visits annually.  For additional information on Pacific Northwest skiing and snowboarding, contact the PNSAA office at (877) 533-5520, or visit www.pnsaa.org to link to the website of your favorite mountain.

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