Mountains around the Pacific Northwest are beginning to open for the winter season. Many students at Glacier Peak High School have expressed their excitement about the season starting up. We are surrounded by many mountains that have ski resorts including Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Baker, Whistler Ski Resort, Mission Ridge, Switzer Mountain, Tamarack Resort, Mt Hood, Crystal Mountain, and White Pass. These seem to be the most popular ski resorts students visit in the winter.
Stevens Pass is about 50 miles from Glacier Peak making it the closest ski mountain. To ski a day there will cost an adult $150 and a child $105. Night skiing costs adults $75 and a child $52, however, people often buy a season pass or epic pass. These can cost anywhere from $534 to $1,047. Stevens Pass has a total of 10 chairlifts with many runs off each lift. The mountain opens in December and closes for the season around April or May depending on the total snowfall. There are many popular runs at this ski mountain, “my favorite run is probably Brooks because it has a fun park,” said Mathew Marquart
Mount Baker is about a four-plus hour drive from Glacier Peak High School. A day at Baker varies depending on age, ranging from $40 to $94 per day—however, kids under six years old ski for free. Like most resorts, they offer lessons for all ages and private lessons to anyone. The mountain has 10 running ski lifts that take you all over the mountain with elevations ranging from 3,500 to 5,089 feet. The lodge there has lots of food options, “I either get fries or the soup,” said Mallory Keenan.
Mission Ridge is a smaller ski resort located near Wenatchee, Washington about 3 hours from Glacier Peak High School. A full day at Mission can cost anywhere from $69 to $139 depending on age, but you save $20 when you purchase your ticket online. 4 lifts are included in Mission Ridge with a main Base Area with food and drinks. “My favorite thing about Mission Ridge is the piece of a bomber plane at the top of the cat track,” said Ava Munn.