Scooter Chapman
Time to hit the slopes
Published on Wed, Dec 30, 2009 by Scooter ChapmanRead More Chapman
It's time to get out the skis, the boots, check to see if there are any holes in the long underwear, find the ski cap and scarf, as well as the fanny pack to carry goggles, snacks, gum and stuff to put on your lips to keep from chapping and head for the ski areas.
Today a look at what's in store for the holidays and beyond, starting with the closest ski area to us, Hurricane Ridge.
For more than 50 years, a core group of ski enthusiasts has kept the ski areas in Olympic National Park open, often by the skin of their teeth and most often by dipping deep into pocketbooks.
First it was the Deer Park area, where getting to the ski area was a trip in itself, now the Hurricane Ridge area.
There was just enough snow to open the season Dec. 19, but it blew up a storm the next day to close the lift.
The slopes were open with rope tows only over the Christmas break, but there wasn't enough snow to open all lifts. We're hoping for more snow and the area will be buzzing this weekend as December winds down and we welcome January and 2010. The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club is ready for action.
If all goes well, the ski area opens this weekend on a weekends-only basis (holidays give an extra day or two). The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club is ready for action.
Last year, great snow but not enough to open the Poma Lift, the most popular lift on the hill that has two rope tows: one for the beginners, the other for intermediate skiers. The Poma opens up a whole new area on the so-called "back side" for intermediates and above.
As of Dec. 7, the area had 5 feet of snow on top but that depth and more is needed to open the Poma.
The winter sports club is getting by - but just barely. Last year not much money was made, Expenses do not stop because of lack of snow. Insurance is the biggest buck beater, but fundraisers like the Winterfest and auctions and out and out donations keep the area going.
If more Olympic Peninsula folks would ski the area, money would be better, so instead of planning trips to Stevens and Crystal, how about giving the ridge a try this year to help keep the area going.
The prices are right. The season pass for individual is $200; a family pass for up to five is just $400. Daily prices are $10 for the bunny tow, $20 for intermediate and $25 for all lifts.
Remember, it doesn't cost and arm and a leg or a ferry ride or a bridge toll to reach the ski area and it's only 35 minutes from sea level to ski level, not counting your entrance fee into the park.
During the holiday period, the road is scheduled to be open through Jan. 3. The road is closed Monday-Thursday during the regular winter season, except for Monday holidays.
NOTE: All vehicles must carry chains until March 28. A heavy fine could be levied if the chains required sign comes on when you are atop the ridge and don't have those safety devices to come down the hill.
Ski areas
_ Stevens Pass - This resort is 78 miles northeast of Seattle on U.S. Highway 2. There are 10 lifts, two high-speed quads, one fixed quad, three triples, two doubles and two surface lifts operating 9 a.m.-
4 p.m Tuesday-Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. all other days with night skiing from 3-10 p.m., weather permitting.
The facility features rentals, demos, food and more. Daily all-lift pass for adults are $60 and up. For more information, go to www.
stevenspass.com.
_ Mission Ridge - This popular area is 12 miles southwest of Wenatchee. Its six lifts include one high-speed quad, three doubles and two ropes. The all-day price is $54. They operate 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Wenatchee offers lodging with more than 2,000 rooms. See www.missionridge.com.
A great trip is to drive to Leavenworth or Wenatchee on Friday, secure a room for Friday and Saturday, ski Mission all day Saturday, frolic that night, then ski Stevens on the way home.
_ Snoqualmie Pass - This area involves four areas operated by the same group, although Summit East is not open now; Central and West ski areas and Alpental are open. This area is just 47 miles east of Seattle on Interstate 90. There are quads, triples and doubles, a great beginning area at the West Summit and tough, expert terrain at Alpental.
One lift ticket covers all areas and is $57 for adults. All areas have rentals, food and drink. There is one motel atop the pass and it's usually booked solid on weekends and holidays. There is night skiing during peak season.
_ Crystal Mountain - The only "destination resort" in the state is 39 miles southeast of Enumclaw. Get there on a two-lane road that can be very dangerous during snow and ice conditions. Make sure you have chains available.
Crystal Mountain Hotels operates Alta Crystal, Village and Alpine Inns (888-SKI-6400) and there is food and drink.
The area has 11 lifts, two high-speed express quads, two triples, four doubles and a surface lift. An all-day adult pass is $60 and the area operates from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There is plenty of parking and the shuttle bus service is fast.
Columns by KONP 1450 AM sports announcer Scooter Chapman appear weekly in the Sequim Gazette. He can be reached via e-mail at scooter@olypen.com.
Today a look at what's in store for the holidays and beyond, starting with the closest ski area to us, Hurricane Ridge.
For more than 50 years, a core group of ski enthusiasts has kept the ski areas in Olympic National Park open, often by the skin of their teeth and most often by dipping deep into pocketbooks.
First it was the Deer Park area, where getting to the ski area was a trip in itself, now the Hurricane Ridge area.
There was just enough snow to open the season Dec. 19, but it blew up a storm the next day to close the lift.
The slopes were open with rope tows only over the Christmas break, but there wasn't enough snow to open all lifts. We're hoping for more snow and the area will be buzzing this weekend as December winds down and we welcome January and 2010. The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club is ready for action.
If all goes well, the ski area opens this weekend on a weekends-only basis (holidays give an extra day or two). The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club is ready for action.
Last year, great snow but not enough to open the Poma Lift, the most popular lift on the hill that has two rope tows: one for the beginners, the other for intermediate skiers. The Poma opens up a whole new area on the so-called "back side" for intermediates and above.
As of Dec. 7, the area had 5 feet of snow on top but that depth and more is needed to open the Poma.
The winter sports club is getting by - but just barely. Last year not much money was made, Expenses do not stop because of lack of snow. Insurance is the biggest buck beater, but fundraisers like the Winterfest and auctions and out and out donations keep the area going.
If more Olympic Peninsula folks would ski the area, money would be better, so instead of planning trips to Stevens and Crystal, how about giving the ridge a try this year to help keep the area going.
The prices are right. The season pass for individual is $200; a family pass for up to five is just $400. Daily prices are $10 for the bunny tow, $20 for intermediate and $25 for all lifts.
Remember, it doesn't cost and arm and a leg or a ferry ride or a bridge toll to reach the ski area and it's only 35 minutes from sea level to ski level, not counting your entrance fee into the park.
During the holiday period, the road is scheduled to be open through Jan. 3. The road is closed Monday-Thursday during the regular winter season, except for Monday holidays.
NOTE: All vehicles must carry chains until March 28. A heavy fine could be levied if the chains required sign comes on when you are atop the ridge and don't have those safety devices to come down the hill.
Ski areas
_ Stevens Pass - This resort is 78 miles northeast of Seattle on U.S. Highway 2. There are 10 lifts, two high-speed quads, one fixed quad, three triples, two doubles and two surface lifts operating 9 a.m.-
4 p.m Tuesday-Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. all other days with night skiing from 3-10 p.m., weather permitting.
The facility features rentals, demos, food and more. Daily all-lift pass for adults are $60 and up. For more information, go to www.
stevenspass.com.
_ Mission Ridge - This popular area is 12 miles southwest of Wenatchee. Its six lifts include one high-speed quad, three doubles and two ropes. The all-day price is $54. They operate 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Wenatchee offers lodging with more than 2,000 rooms. See www.missionridge.com.
A great trip is to drive to Leavenworth or Wenatchee on Friday, secure a room for Friday and Saturday, ski Mission all day Saturday, frolic that night, then ski Stevens on the way home.
_ Snoqualmie Pass - This area involves four areas operated by the same group, although Summit East is not open now; Central and West ski areas and Alpental are open. This area is just 47 miles east of Seattle on Interstate 90. There are quads, triples and doubles, a great beginning area at the West Summit and tough, expert terrain at Alpental.
One lift ticket covers all areas and is $57 for adults. All areas have rentals, food and drink. There is one motel atop the pass and it's usually booked solid on weekends and holidays. There is night skiing during peak season.
_ Crystal Mountain - The only "destination resort" in the state is 39 miles southeast of Enumclaw. Get there on a two-lane road that can be very dangerous during snow and ice conditions. Make sure you have chains available.
Crystal Mountain Hotels operates Alta Crystal, Village and Alpine Inns (888-SKI-6400) and there is food and drink.
The area has 11 lifts, two high-speed express quads, two triples, four doubles and a surface lift. An all-day adult pass is $60 and the area operates from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There is plenty of parking and the shuttle bus service is fast.
Columns by KONP 1450 AM sports announcer Scooter Chapman appear weekly in the Sequim Gazette. He can be reached via e-mail at scooter@olypen.com.
© 2009 Sequim Gazette. All rights reserved. 147 West Washington, Sequim, WA 98382 • 360.683.3311 • Email the Webmaster