These 5 Washington Ski Resorts Are The Snowiest According To New Report
Wondering where to find the best snow conditions for skiing in Washington?
Washington State might not be as popular as the Rockies for a winter ski trip, but there are actually some fantastic resorts with record snowfall throughout the state.
Snowiest Ski Resorts In Washington (Over The Past Decade
As avid skiers (well, I personally prefer to snowboard), this passion has led us to explore ski towns together all around the world. These cozy alpine villages and ski resorts are our favorite places to be during the winter months.
So, we decided to compile a list of Washington State’s snowiest ski resorts, using the cumulative snow data from the past 10 years.
Here are the best ski resorts to visit in Washington this winter.
1. Mt. Baker: 424.75 feet
Mt. Baker Ski Area receives an overwhelming amount of snow each winter (over 150 inches more than the #2 ski resort). It’s just outside North Cascades National Park in the remote wilderness of Mt. Baker.
This particular resort offers challenging terrain and backcountry opportunities for advanced skiers and snowboarders.
There are approximately 38 runs, 8 chair lifts, and a 1500-foot vertical drop, in addition to an expansive backcountry area to explore.
This resort is far from Seattle, though, and over 3 hours from Seattle-Tacoma Airport.
The best place to stay if you want to spend a few days in Mt. Baker Ski Area is either the small town of Maple Falls or Deming. Both towns are less than an hour from the resort but have a few hotels, restaurants, and a grocery store to make your holiday more comfortable.
Despite being hard to access and only the basic facilities, the legendary powder and extensive tree runs here make it well worth visiting.
It’s also known for having one of the best aprés ski scenes in Washington and is one of the resorts with the most powder days in the US.
Booking Your Ski Holiday?
Use our favorite travel resources below to save on your next trip:
> Book your hotel using Booking.com
> Save (massively) on flights using FareDrop
> Book your rental car using DiscoverCars
2. Crystal Mountain: 310.25 feet
Crystal Mountain Resort is another snow-heavy ski resort in Washington. It’s right at the base of Mount Rainer, and whether you’re on the trails or at the lodge, you’ll have unparalleled views of the imposing summit.
The resort has a diverse array of terrain suitable for all skill levels, making it a favorite choice for families and people still learning the ropes of skiing/snowboarding. There are 57 trails, and 38% are beginner/intermediate.
However, there are plenty of black diamonds and even double-black diamonds for people who want more challenging runs.
The resort features a range of amenities, including rental shops, dining options, a spa, and a gondola that takes you to the summit for breathtaking views. As a full-service mountain resort, there are also plenty of accommodation options and fully furnished condos to rent out for your visit.
Crystal Mountain is a fantastic destination resort, too, since it’s just 1.5 hours from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Although, this does mean that it gets jam-packed on weekends and holidays.
3. Stevens Pass: 277.83 feet
Steven’s Pass is right along Highway 2, making it a convenient drive from Seattle, even if there has been a significant amount of snow during the previous days.
It’s also part of the EPIC Program, meaning those with an EPIC Pass can ski for less than $75/day.
The price and convenience of Stevens Pass make it one of the most popular resorts for day trippers from Seattle, but it’s not much of a ‘destination resort.’ At least not compared to Crystal Mountain. Instead, it feels ‘small’ and retains the local mountain vibe that Mike and I have grown to love.
There are 57 runs at Steven’s Pass, making it a relatively large resort, and you’ll notice on the trail map that they offer a balanced mix of terrain. This variety makes it appealing to a broad range of riders, but most runs are intermediate trails (43%).
Another nice perk of choosing Stevens Pass is that, although they aren’t the largest resort in Washington, they still offer night skiing on the weekends.
4. Alpental: 259.75 feet
Alpental is a smaller mountain part of the Summit at Snoqualmie Pass Ski Area.
A single lift ticket gives you access to both ski resorts, and they are connected to one another via a free shuttle bus.
The Summit at Snoqualmie Pass has a vibrant ski village with a few lodges, restaurants, and bars for aprés ski. It also has ski rental equipment and a fun, welcoming atmosphere.
In my opinion, The Summit at Snoqualmie is one of the best places in Washington to learn how to ski. If it’s your first time, you’ll find loads of beginner and intermediate runs to help you get the hang of skiing or snowboarding.
However, across I-90 at Alpental Ski Resort, there are significantly more daunting ski runs. There’s only one ski lift here and a mere 19 runs, but they are almost exclusively advanced and expert routes.
Therefore, it attracts expert riders in the Snoqualmie region seeking a thrilling ski experience.
Alpental is cherished by those who want steep chutes and deep powder. It’s truly a playground for the best skiers and snowboarders in Washington and attracts serious ski bums looking for adrenaline-pumping descents.
There aren’t many amenities at Alpental outside a small rental center and lodge, which is why most visitors either stay at the neighboring resort or simply take a day trip to Alpental from Seattle.
5. White Pass: 251.92 feet
White Pass Ski Area is another ski resort that receives a ton of snow near Mt. Rainier.
While it doesn’t offer quite the same mountain views as Crystal Mountain, it still has beautiful scenery and is a great place to ski in Washington.
This ski resort is well known for its family-friendly atmosphere and approachable terrain, creating a warm and inviting skiing environment. The resort caters well to those still learning the ropes, with over 90% of its trails rated as beginner or intermediate skiers.
The resort is less built up than the nearby Crystal Mountain but still offers all the essential amenities, including rentals, dining, a lodge, and a ski school.
But this is also reflected in the price of the lift tickets. If you buy tickets in the fall, you can get season passes for about $300, and season passes for children are just $25.
Additional Washington Ski Resort Stats
If none of these are convenient options for you, there are some other ski resorts with decent snowfall near Seattle, as well as a couple closer to Spokane in Eastern Washington.
Here are five more ski resorts to check out in Washington State:
ᐧThe Summit at Snoqualmie: 189.42 feet
ᐧ49 Degrees North Mountain Resort: 170.92 feet
ᐧBluewood: 134.5 feet
ᐧMt. Spokane: 115.75 feet
ᐧWenatchee – Mission Ridge: 112.25 feet
What are the best months to ski in Washington?
The prime months for skiing in Washington are typically December through March, with snowfall peaking around late December/early January.
What is the largest ski resort in Washington?
Crystal Mountain holds the distinction of being the largest ski resort in Washington, with over 2,600 acres of skiable terrain. This also makes it the most popular destination ski resort in Washington for snow enthusiasts.
The Wrap-Up: Washington Ski Resorts With The Most Snow
If you only have time for one ski resort in Washington, we’d recommend Crystal Mountain Resort for the diverse range of ski trails and the stunning scenery of Mount Rainer and the surrounding National Park.
However, if you‘re more interested in challenging terrain and a local vibe, it’s worth the extra effort to drive up to Mt. Baker Ski Area. This is where you’ll find the most powder days in Washington and empty slopes.
Enjoy the powder!