PNW maggots

[easyrdr]

I will be in Seattle thursday-monday. Me and two buddies plan on skiing friday at a resort, and saturday/sunday backcountry if stability is good. So what resorts would you recommend/backcoutry. I've never been to the area and don't know shit.

[Buster Highmen]

Within 2 hours of Seattle, there's 3 main areas:
1) Stevens Pass (Highway 2) 1.5-2 hour drive. Get there early to insure parking.
2) Alpental/The Summit At Snoqualmie (Interstate 90) 1 hour drive.
3) Crystal Mountain (SR410 past Enumclaw). 1.5-2 hours drive.

Recommending a resort is tantamount to recommending a religion. That said, I think Crystal is the best, but both Alpental and Stevens have killer skiing, as good as anywhere too. Crystal doesn't get as much snow as Alpental or Stevens, but it's base is higher and it has more vertical. The BC access from Crystal is excellent.

I think I'm going to go somewhere Friday with my girl, provided that we can get some babysitting. We'll likely go to Crystal and could show you around if you want. I may go Saturday as well, but that depends on a bunch of other stuff (kids, fatigue, wife, new house, taxes, snow levels and amounts, etc).

[The AD]

Within 2 hours of Seattle, there's 3 main areas:
1) Stevens Pass (Highway 2) 1.5-2 hour drive. Get there early to insure parking.
2) Alpental/The Summit At Snoqualmie (Interstate 90) 1 hour drive.
3) Crystal Mountain (SR410 past Enumclaw). 1.5-2 hours drive.

Keep in mind all three of the areas Buster mentioned also have night skiing which can be fun. Stevens has the most extensive night skiing, but Snoqualmie has several areas and it's hard to beat the convenience factor getting there from Seattle. I've never night skied at Crystal, but I'm assuming it's pretty limited. But, who knows, you might want to rip it up there all day, have a few beers in the Elk, then see if you can kill yourself skiing drunk that night

[easyrdr]

right on fellas, how far is baker from seattle. Right now it looks like crystal on friday, let me know if any of you are in the neighborhood.

[Jumper Bones]

~ 2.5 - 3.5 hrs

[Squirrel99]

right on fellas, how far is baker from seattle. Right now it looks like crystal on friday, let me know if any of you are in the neighborhood.

Baker is about 2.5 hours.

Forecast for Friday's storm is for heavier precip in the North Central Cascades so might want to watch for Stevens/Baker as best options. tough to say.

[easyrdr]

Have any of you guys been doing much backcountry or is it all pretty sketchy? We pretty much aren't going in with any plan until we get there-a lot could happen in the next few days.

[Buster Highmen]

I've not done any real backcountry lately. With the upside down cake (dryer snow underneath, wetter to rain on top) it's best to be really cautious in the bc.

[easyrdr]

So Buster if you had 3 days (Fri-Sun) and had never skiied any of the resorts what would you hit on what day-assuming bc is a no go.

[Buster Highmen]

One of each of Stevens, Alpental and Crystal. Each one is worthy, although the weekend crowds will cramp appreciation of where ever you are.

The Cascades are a jagged range and each resort has a lot of stashes and hidden spots. If you can, hook up with a local. I'd volunteer the services of others, but it's probably best to let them speak for themselves. I know Crystal pretty well and Alpie somewhat.

I'll be more definite on where I'll be Friday by tomorrow. Likely Crystal, but possibly Alpental.

[Xscream]

This weekend = Baker, Baker, Baker
Don't ask, don't tell.

[Squirrel99]

Plan on at least one day @ Crystal. That is by far the largest and will offer the most options. If you did want to ski inbounds @ Stevens- I would probably go there Friday or possibly Baker. With a northern storm - converegence zone is possible which could enhance their snowfall. Snow @ stevens tends to be on the lighter side (for WA). Also Baker would be a good bet for quantity.

Alpental & Baker are good more in the sense they provide outstanding touring access (Crystal does too- but has more 'controlled' areas and Stevens touring is also kick ass). Touring at Baker definitely kicks ass when conditions are good.

I would suggest:
Friday: either Stevens/Crystal for inbounds. Alpental could be fun as well, but is a bit smaller (though be it steeper)
Saturday/Sunday: if it's inbounds- Crystal. Much bigger so crowds have a chance to spread out.

Either way, on weekends get to the area of choice early. I'm not sure where I'm going to be yet this weekend. It's going to be a game time decision on Friday.

[easyrdr]

Seeing as how you are the locals I'm not making any decisions until you decide where you are going.

[Xscream]

The locals here sometimes argue over what area is better. Expect huge crowds this weekend. The farther away from Seattle you go, the less crowded it is likely to be. Instead of the big 3 (Stevens, Crystal, Alpental) I would try White Pass, Mission Ridge, or Baker just for the crowd factor. True it is a longer drive, but you won't have to park 2 miles away either.

Bottom line is don't worry so much about where to go, just go and have fun.

[easyrdr]

no worries xscream, I'm just stoked to be able to ski in new places, no matter where I end up it's going to be a good time

[Stealth Radness]

Backcountry avalanche danger is currently rated as moderate. Extensive investigation of the Stevens BC over the last 2 days has substantiated this claim. This being said, I've found myself wallowing in knee + deep snow in places with no skier compaction, pole plants with powder baskets go all the way in. Watch out for the tree wells!

[Squirrel99]

The locals here sometimes argue over what area is better. Expect huge crowds this weekend. The farther away from Seattle you go, the less crowded it is likely to be. Instead of the big 3 (Stevens, Crystal, Alpental) I would try White Pass, Mission Ridge, or Baker just for the crowd factor. True it is a longer drive, but you won't have to park 2 miles away either.

Bottom line is don't worry so much about where to go, just go and have fun.

I won't argue with any of the areas- I think they all kick ass in their own right. But I don't buy the fact that Baker won't be crowded this weekend. They were closed for the better part of the last week and surely people are going to flock there. Granted, the BC should be less crowded- but still- I'd expect decent size crowds there, too.

As for me, I think the plan is tentatively set to hit up Alpental on Saturday; then choose either Baker, Stevens or Xtal for Sunday. Leaning towards Baker. All depends on the snow- but as a passholder at Alpy, I'm guaranteed to be there at least one day this weekend.

[Zeedashbo]

baker is the most crowded resort in WA. pow turns in bounds until 10:00 a.m. on an uncrowded weekday. sweet! too bad the back country kicks soooo much ass.



easy - you are skiing b/c with me at stevens on saturday. no if ands or buts. i'd tell you where to go on friday, but you should wait to see where it dumps.

[Xscream]

Squirrel and Z you guys have convinced me not to bake tomorrow. Most crowded, fuck that, I'll hit somewhere close to home. Why drive twice as far for double the crowd?

[Zeedashbo]

Squirrel and Z you guys have convinced me not to bake tomorrow. Most crowded, fuck that, I'll hit somewhere close to home. Why drive twice as far for double the crowd?

awwwww c'mon dude. you gotta find out for yourself.

edit: the backcountry does kick ass.

[Xscream]

I'll post a report.

PS. Anyone willing to guide at Baker tomorrow, we will make it worth your efforts.

[BakerBoy]

I'll post a report.

PS. Anyone willing to guide at Baker tomorrow, we will make it worth your efforts.

I'll be at Baker on Saturday if you want a quick tour...

[Xscream]

BB, thanks. Have you heard how the conditions are? We are trying to decide about tomorrow.

[easyrdr]

perhaps crystal friday, and backcountry saturday-I'm fucking fired up. Washington get ready cause easys coming to town!

[BakerBoy]

BB, thanks. Have you heard how the conditions are? We are trying to decide about tomorrow.

Worth going, but don't go out of your way. In-bounds is pretty pegged from 5 days of patrollers skiing it , but the OB is pretty much bomber and super plentiful good turns to be had.