Mt. Baker, Washington- 2/25/06

[frontrange]

Taking advantage of a weekend in Seattle on a business trip three of us went to Mt. Baker. The ski report was claiming 32" of new snow on Thursday- and it was probably correct- see the picture of the bus in the lot.

Since the skiers with me went about once every 10 years we started on the greens at the upper parking lot. Very tame but we did enjoy watching the kids trying to plow thru waist deep snow- they'd stall out and then have to try and swim to the edges.

Enough of the greens- we headed up the C-3 chair and over to the lower lodge. Right away we were awarded with a view down Honkers- see the picture of the three snowboards- doing what a lot of them did on steep slopes- turn sideways and skid down- this was typical of the blacks at Baker- steep!

We spent most of the day on chairs C-5 and C-8- great runs with great snow. It snowed from about 11AM on and added a nice coating to what was already there. It wasn't the powder I had in Montana last year but it was the first real natural snow I've gotten much of this year so I was in a state of continual bliss- even if my out of shape legs weren't. I had a couple of those runs where you get a rhythm and everything just feels perfect- wow. Of course I had a couple other runs where it felt perfect and then some bumps got a bit out of whack and, well, you know the story.

We had ample opportunity to watch skiers and boarders on the double black Gabl's under lift C-5. With all the snow there were lines to be had for quite awhile- some of them not so good. The expert terrain at Baker is very impressive- the mountain holds enough snow that many lines are open even 2 days after a dump. There were many hiking higher and earning turns.

All in all a great day at Baker. The scenery is great and the mountain has everything for the expert and intermediate. And who can argue with a 198" base?

 

[From_the_NEK]

I'm going to be in Seattle on business near the end of March. I'm guessing that 198" base will hold up until then
Anyone know what the likelyhood of a snowfall is around late March? I know back here in the East we can get big dumps in March (none so far this year). I am hoping I don't go west and get stuck missing a sweet big storm in Vermont :roll: . But right now that is a chance I'm more than willing to take.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Probability of snow in PNW is lower at that time of year than earlier. But Baker still averages 105 inches in March and 42 in April. If you've never been out there before and have as long as a weekend, you should probably go to Whistler unless it's really dumping at the Seattle locals.

Crystal has by far the most exciting terrain around Seattle, reminiscent of Squaw Valley IMHO. If it hasn't snowed in awhile all of those areas go to spring conditions pretty fast at that time of year, often with no overnight freezing (read sloppy) due to the humid coastal air. You should be even more inclined to get up to Whistler in that event. The extra altitude of its alpine preserves snow very well in spring.

 

[From_the_NEK]

Unfortunately I'm limited to one Sunday of skiing so Whistler will be a stretch. I'm going to be based in Everett for work. The inside line keeps telling me to go to Crystal rather than Baker. I may just wait until a few days before I go to make my final decision. Thanks for the info!

 

[frontrange]

I was in Everett too- short term thing at Boeing. I'll probably be back out again sometimes in April. You're not going out for FUS- Vergennes by chance??

They'll definitely have snowt that time of year and Baker is a lot closer than Whistler for sure. I remember some very good spring skiing- read corn hero snow at Stephens Pass many years ago. I'd say just wait and check the ski reports and see what kind of weather they're getting. The Mt. Baker slopes had real good northern exposures so they probably hold the snow pretty well.

Good luck- I just got back to Ohio today- a bit of a downer watching the Olympics in the early morning sunlight this morning.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I'll repeat the strong recommendation for Crystal. If you've only got one day you should go for the best terrain. All have deep bases this season and any differences in snow conditions are likely to be minimal. Crystal's steeps are probably even more favored on a warm spring day. The exception would be if there is powder from a recent storm that doesn't get as far south as Crystal or hits Baker much harder. The drive to Baker is farther also.