When it comes to looking for somewhere to ski, Washington provides many options, with 13 ski resorts spread across the state. These resorts include Crystal Mountain, Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass, Loup Loup Ski Bowl, The Summit at Snoqualmie, 49 Degrees North, Badger Mountain, Echo Valley, Hurrican Ridge, Mt. Baker, Mt. Spokane, Ski Bluewood, and White Pass. While there are many places to ski in our state, the majority of students at Glacier Peak go to either Stevens Pass, Mt. Baker, Mission Ridge, or Crystal Mountain.  

January and February are the top months to ski in Washington state because of the snow and weather conditions, “I’ve been snowboarding for a couple years, and I am so excited for this season and to go up to Stevens Pass as much as I can. I went up a couple times in December, but the snow wasn’t that great,” Tanner Johnson said.  

The top choice for our students among all the locations available is Stevens Pass, as it is the most easily accessible and has good runs. However, many students have been looking for other places to ski at due to the changes occurring Stevens Pass; it has become extremely crowded with long waits to get on lifts and so many people on the runs, as well as the prices going higher after being acquired by a larger organization, Vail Resorts. Also, most students can only ski on weekends due to school and other activities, which is another reason to switch resorts since weekend skiing is by far the busiest.  

Once you have gotten past the difficult part of finding a place to ski, skiing and snowboarding are great hobbies for students. There are many teachers out there and plenty of beginner slopes, so there is no harm in trying something new– and potentially fun– this winter season.