Scooter Chapman

There’s plenty of snow, ski areas in our state are up and running and it should be a very, very fine season for skiers and snowboarders.

Today a short review of what is available to the riders of the skinny boards and the larger boards, beginning with Hurricane Ridge.

From Port Townsend, Sequim, Port Angeles and all points west, it’s just 35 minutes from sea level to ski level once you hit the Eighth and Race Street hill on the way up to the ridge.

 

Remember it’s a $15 Olympic National Park entrance fee, but you can buy an entire year’s worth of visits for just $30.

 

Once at the top, the parking lot is right next to the ski slopes — no need to trudge through a lot of ice and snow to reach the ticket shack. An all-lift ticket per day is $27, with intermediate and bunny rope tows just $22 and $12.

 

The Hurricane Ridge Lodge offers restrooms, food and equipment rentals. Ski operations are open Saturday, Sunday and holidays through March.

 

Although the longest vertical drop is 800 feet, the Hurricane Ridge ski area is perfect for beginners and intermediates and it is close, folks.

Crystal Mountain

With beginner slopes to long chutes and steep country, the largest ski area in the state has added a gondola to its list of lifts. That will draw a lot of skiers this year. The enclosed gondola will get you to the top of the mountain in just 10 minutes.

 

Crystal is 35-percent advanced and expert, 54-percent beginner and intermediate on its 57 named trails.

There are 12 lifts going 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and free shuttle service from a vast array of parking lots.

 

Tickets are $60 for adults, $55 for youths and $35 for senior citizens, and there’s lots of room with its 2,800 acres. Crystal has plenty of overnight accommodations — just call guest services at 360-663-3050.
Driving takes three hours via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Sumner, Bonney Lake, Enumclaw and then 40 miles to the ski area.

Stevens Pass

This is a popular destination for Olympic Peninsula skiers who want more runs and longer runs than offered by Hurricane Ridge.

 

A ferry ride to Edmonds, then on to Everett and U.S. Highway 2 up to Stevens takes about two-and-a-half hours.

 

It’s got more than 1,000 acres, 54-percent intermediate terrain and lots of steep shots for the more adventurous guys and gals.

 

There are 10 lifts, mostly high-speed quads, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily with night skiing Thursday through Monday from 4-10 p.m.

 

Tickets are $54 for adults, $45 youths and seniors and $36 for children.

 

There is a dedicated snowboard area, which is tops in the state.

 

No overnight, but skiers sometimes make it a weekend by staying in Leavenworth and doing Mission Ridge one day, Stevens another day.

Mission Ridge

This area is owned by the same people who run Stevens. It’s 26 miles from Leavenworth on a nice highway from Wenatchee. The snow usually is drier and the area caters to intermediate and advanced skiers.

 

There are four chairs and two rope tows going from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Monday. It is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Tickets are $50 for adults, $44 for young adults, $32 for youths/senior citizens and $9 for children. It’s a friendly area with great, speedy runs and a nice, comfortable lodge with good food.

The Summit

This complex includes the Summit at Snoqualmie, Summit East and Alpental areas. One ticket is good for all three, with shuttle buses running on weekends.

 

You can park at Alpental, then bus to the other areas without moving your car.

 

Summit East and Central are close to each other; East is the former Hyak and has two new chairlifts, while Alpental offers more expert terrain. Tickets are $58 for adults, $39 for juniors/senior citizens and $12 for children. Hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily except Sunday.

 

Travel via the Bainbridge Island ferry, get on I-90 at Seattle Waterfront and cruise, or go through Tacoma, then on Highway 18 to I-90.

 

Reach Scooter Chapman at scooter@olypen.com.