WASHINGTON, USA — Winter weather is bringing colder temperatures to western Washington, but this year's El Niño winter also creates a fundamental problem with snowfall levels.
Western Washington's recent heavy and historic rainfall is creating some issues for ski areas planning opening days. With heavy rains and colder temperatures, many ski areas have announced opening days.
This list has all the information about when western Washington ski resorts plan to open for the season. Check back often for updates on your favorite slopes.
Crystal Mountain Resort announced it will open daily for the 2023-2024 season beginning Thursday, Dec. 7.
Starting Dec. 26, Crystal Mountain will require all guests to make parking reservations to ski on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
On average, Crystal sees 348 inches of snow every year, according to its website. Historically, the earliest opening date was Oct. 1, 2013.
Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is within Olympic National Park and is one of two remaining lift operators in the National Parks, according to its website.
The ski area planned to open on Dec. 3, however a lack of snow pushed back these plans, the ski area posted on social media. On Dec. 7, the ski area said it lost over one foot of snow with the recent heavy rains, "but we have recovered a good portion of that with today's snow." The ski area won't be open this weekend, Dec. 9-10, the post reads.
The average annual snowfall is over 400 inches.
Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort opened for the season on Saturday, Nov. 25. This is the 11th time in 12 years that the mountain has been open by the Thanksgiving weekend target date, according to the resort.
Mt. Baker Ski Area is opening to the public Thursday, Dec. 14, according to the ski areas website. A pass holders-only day is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13.
"Bear in mind it is early season conditions so you probably don't want to hit the off-piste just yet," according to the website. "But it is so great to get back on the snow, feel the wind whipping past, see the gorgeous mountains and enjoy a cold beverage in the lodge at the end of the day!"
Annually, the mountain sees about 666 inches of snowfall on average. In the 1998-1999 season, Mt. Baker saw a world record snowfall of 1,140 inches (or 95 feet of snow), according to its website.
The Summit at Snoqualmie has not yet announced its opening date for the 2023-2024 season, according to a Dec. 7 daily update.
Summit West is open Wednesday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 17, according to the resort's Dec. 11 daily update.
"We plan to open more areas as soon as snow depth and conditions allow," according to the resort.
Summit West is always the first to open because it requires the least amount of snow to operate, according to the resort, followed by Summit Central and Alpental. The Snow Tubing Park does not have a set opening date yet.
The ski resort typically sees about 426 inches of snow on average, according to its website.
One of the state's most popular ski mountains is opening for business Tuesday, Dec. 12, with a new lift and an improved parking process.
Stevens Pass will have three of its lifts -- the Daisy, Brooks and Skyline -- open beginning at 9 a.m. PT Tuesday. Early-season conditions should be expected, however, as crews hope to open additional terrain "as conditions allow."
The annual average of snowfall is 460 inches of snow, according to the resort.
New this season, the resort is opening a new chair lift, Kehr's Chair, named after one of the resort's founders Bruce Kehr. Stevens Pass opened in 1937.
White Pass Ski Area opened for daily operations beginning Saturday, Dec. 9, according to the ski area's website.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the ski area's website.