When will Washington ski resorts open for winter sports season? See key dates
It’s that time of year for Washington skiers and snowboarders — when you gather your gear, watch the forecast and wait for your favorite mountain resort to announce opening day.
The Evergreen State is packed with prime places to get your stoke on this winter, from Mt. Baker Ski Area up north to Bluewood in the southeastern corner of the state.
As temperatures drop and snow falls, ski resorts across Washington are announcing when they hope to open their lodges and fire up their lifts.
“We look forward to a wonderful season,” Peter Korfiatis, Bluewood’s general manager, told The News Tribune by phone.
Here’s a look at when resorts in Washington are aiming to open for the 2025-26 winter sports season:
When do Washington state ski resorts open in 2025?
Washington has at least a dozen ski resorts of varying sizes, and some have announced target opening dates.
Opening dates are dependent on the weather, so make sure to confirm before you head to the mountain.
Here’s when ski resorts across Washington state hope to open for the season, according to resort websites and staff members:
- Echo Valley Ski Area near Chelan: Sunday, Dec. 21
- Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area near Port Angeles: Sunday, Dec. 7
- Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park near Spokane: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Bluewood near Dayton: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Stevens Pass Ski Resort near Skykomish: Friday, Dec. 5
As of Friday, Nov. 21, no opening dates had been announced for the following ski resorts in Washington state:
- 49°North Mountain Resort near Chewelah
- Alpental and Summit at Snoqualmie on Snoqualmie Pass
- Crystal Mountain near Enumclaw
- Loup Loup Ski Bowl near Twisp
- Mission Ridge Ski and Snow Board Resort near Wenatchee
- Mt. Baker Ski Area east of Bellingham
- White Pass Ski Area near Randle
Will Washington get a snowy winter?
There’s good news for winter sports lovers in Washington.
Some mountain ranges in the state, including the Cascades, are expected to see snowfall on Sunday, Nov. 23, and into Monday, Nov. 24, said Kirby Cook, science and operations officer at the National Weather Service in Seattle.
More mountain snow is expected during Thanksgiving week, Cook told The News Tribune by phone on Friday, Nov. 21.
Late November to mid-December may be colder than normal in some northern and southeast parts of Washington state, according to a Nov. 14 weather outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center.
The same areas could see above-normal precipitation, according to the outlook.
The type of precipitation — rain, snow, sleet and so on — depends on factors including the temperature.
Is cold, wet weather in the forecast for Washington?
The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicted a “mild winter overall with chilly spells and below-average snow” in its Pacific Northwest weather region, which includes the western part of Washington.
Temperatures will be above normal, with the coldest periods in late November, early December and early February, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
The almanac’s long-range forecast for the region calls for below-normal precipitation and snow.
The Intermountain region, which includes Eastern Washington, will see a “mild winter with mixed precipitation and fluctuating snow amounts,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said.
Above-normal temperatures are expected in the Intermountain region, with the chilliest periods in late November, early December and early February, according to the almanac.
The almanac predicted slightly above-normal precipitation, along with below-normal snowfall, in the northern part of the region.
Meanwhile, the Farmers’ Almanac said “the Pacific Northwest mountains are gearing up for some impressive snowfall totals,” adding that Washington should get ready for cold weather.
This story was originally published November 23, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "When will Washington ski resorts open for winter sports season? See key dates."
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