Ski Washington, the consortium of all Washington ski areas, reported that several Washington mountains prepared for the new season with a variety of on- and off-slope improvements.
"We are all looking forward to a plentiful and long season," said Duncan A. Howat, chairman of Ski Washington and general manager of Mt. Baker Ski Area. "Skiing and snowboarding are an integral part of the Washington lifestyle to so many people in our state. All together, Washington mountains offer extensive winter sports opportunities for every level."
Among the ski areas that reported new on-the-slope improvements were:
The Summit at Snoqualmie, which made $880,000 worth of improvements, including new jib features and enhanced snowmaking and earthwork at the terrain park as well as a new footbridge spanning Denny Creek at Alpental, connecting the main parking lot to the lodge side of the slope.
Stevens Pass Ski Area, which made more than $980,000 worth of improvements, including the purchase of two new state-of-the-art snowcats, two transit buses, and remodeled and renamed the Soft Landing Bar into what is now the Foggy Goggle lounge.
In addition, Stevens installed two 100-foot conveyor lifts on the Beacon Hill section of Daisy. Each lift will transport new skiers and boarders up in stages, creating a progressive, comfortable and enjoyable learning
experience.
Crystal Mountain, which opened its new $6.2 million Campbell Basin Lodge, a one-level, mid-mountain, 12,500-square-foot day lodge constructed of Northwest Cascade heavy timber and stone design.
Mt. Baker Ski Area, which began preparation for a $1.8 million replacement of Chair 3 to a quad as well as completed upgrades on both the Terrain Park and Rail Garden.
Mt. Baker has also done extensive work on all main ski runs so that they are skiable earlier in the season.
The mountain also repaved the top 15 miles of the Mt. Baker Highway.
Mission Ridge, which had a new high-speed quad installed over the summer that cuts ride time almost in half, saving time for skiing and riding as well as adding 50 vertical feet.
In addition, Mission Ridge expanded their snowmaking system to now extend base to summit, covering 66 acres.
49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, which opened an additional 300 acres of terrain in the East Basin this year with a whole new part of the mountain to enjoy with nine new trails of varying levels of difficulty plus many different tree skiing areas.
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