Mountain Magic: Slopes offer winter diversion

By Chester Allen | The Olympian • Published January 04, 2009

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Western Washington's ski and snowboard season has been like a snowball rolling down a slope, getting bigger and gaining momentum with every passing moment.

Skimpy snowfall early in the season got things off to a slow start, and the crippled economy didn't help. Then heavy snowfalls and avalanche danger closed down the mountain roads leading to Crystal Mountain, White Pass and Snoqualmie Summit on New Year's Day.

The state Department of Transportation reopened the mountain passes to traffic on Friday. But the heavy snowfall that temporarily closed roads has opened up all the terrain and lifts at ski resorts, and skiers and boarders are taking advantage of it.

Ski areas continually patrol the slopes for avalanche control. Skiers and boarders who go outside of ski area boundaries should be aware that avalanche danger is high in the backcountry.

"We're getting a big bump in business with all this great new snow," said Tiana Enger, Crystal Mountain spokeswoman. "And the week between Christmas and New Year's is the best time of the year."

Thick blankets of powder snow awaited skiers and boarders when the mountain roads opened Friday — and ski areas cranked up the lift bullwheels.

Business is building at the Summit at Snoqualmie, and things will hit high gear as ski school classes begin in the next two weeks, said spokeswoman Holly Lippert.

"The snow is finally here," Lippert said. "It looks like it's going to keep coming, and that's what we're hoping for right now."

But no one is sure whether skiers and snowboarders will continue to flock to the slopes after the holidays. Inexpensive options, such as night skiing, will probably lure plenty of skiers and boarders to the Summit at Snoqualmie, Lippert said.

The new Silver Fir Express lift at Summit Central also will make a trip to the slopes more attractive, Lippert said.

Deep snow in the Cascades means better sales for ski and snowboard gear, said Steve Hyer of Olympia's Alpine Experience. "Some people always hold off on buying new gear until the snow falls," Hyer said. "Business is good, but we did put a lot of things on sale earlier than in the past."