Most local ski resorts extend season into April

After record snow fall combined with months of limited capacity due to COVID-19 protocols, most local ski resorts are planning for an extended season in 2021 so more people can make it up to the mountains.

Ski resorts experiencing both outdoor enthusiasm and challenges

Stevens Pass announced that its season has extended through April 18, 2021. Masks are still required in all aspects of pass operations, “regardless of mandates in your home state or your vaccination status.” Reservations are required to manage on-mountain access.

Crystal Mountain will continue to operate daily until April 18, and will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until May 9. Reservations for the extended ski and snowboard season open April 1.

“Due to increased demand and limited capacity this winter we realize that finding time on the mountain has been more challenging than usual,” Crystal Mountain states on its website.

The Summit at Snoqualmie will be open daily through April 4, and the weekend of April 10-11.

Mount Baker Ski Area, Stevens Pass, and Crystal Mountain all told KIRO Radio that getting outside into the fresh air of the mountains has been a lifeline for people during quarantine. The fact that skiing and snowboarding are individual sports done on a mountain slope make them an ideal socially distanced activity for many in the Pacific Northwest with quarantine fatigue.

As Stevens Pass General Manager Tom Pettigrew pointed out, skiing and snowboarding are winter activities that haven’t been canceled this year, giving people the chance to feel “normal” for a while.

Mt. Baker Ski Area‘s calendar shows closing day set for May 5, with a statement that it may be earlier based on conditions. Closing day for Mt. Spokane is set for April 11.

White Pass says it plans to operate daily through April 11, with weekend only operation after that point still yet to be determined.

Mission Ridge is scheduled to be open daily through March 21, then on weekends through April 11. The last two weekends in April are listed as “possible open days” on the Mission Ridge calendar.