White Pass, WA – After a dismal winter last season, White Pass skiers were anxious to get their season rolling when deep snows finally arrived this month. With those storms on Dec. 9, however, came torrential rains caused rock slides and road damage to Highway 12 that cut the resort off from the outside world.

Now, word has arrived that the White Pass ski season will kick off this Wednesday after Washington State Department of Transportation officials expect to open one lane of traffic on Highway 12 across the pass tonight. All of that, however, depends upon what the current storm cycle brings.

White Pass is expecting 17 to 32 additional inches of snow to fall on its slopes through Wednesday, on top of up to 158 inches that has already fallen thus far this season. In the midst of this storm, DOT officials expect to direct vehicles through a single lane controlled by a traffic light both east and west of the pass. The road over White Pass is scheduled to reopen at 5 p.m. today, although the estimated opening time is weather dependent, DOT officials caution. Semi-trucks will still be prohibited over the pass.

“Crews face some challenges with heavy snow in the forecast, but feel strongly, this reopening is possible,” DOT officials indicated in a statement.

The restricted traffic flow will remain in effect until highway crews can this summer fully repair the damage caused by this month’s storms.