Mt. Baker Ski Area is unique in this age of glitzy, cookie-cutter ski resorts. At Baker it’s about the skiing (or snowboarding), and that’s why we love it. You can’t buy a fur coat or a diamond ring at the base area, which is how how we think it should be. To show our appreciation, we’ve started a list of our favorite things about skiing at Mt. Baker.
Snow:
Mt. Baker Ski Area is legendary for the amount of snowfall they receive each year. With an average annual snowfall of 701 inches, even a low snow year beats most Colorado ski resorts by 100+ inches. And the snow that falls on Baker is amazing – it might not be the lightest, but the way it cakes onto the mountain, forming pillows and spines everywhere you look, is unbeatable. As the season progresses gullies and ravines fill in, and the shape of the Mountain evolves. Massive storms roll off the Pacific, dumping enough snow to transform the slopes. It’s like shaking an etch-a-sketch – the slopes are covered with a thick layer of fresh snow, a blank canvas for skiers and snowboarders to leave their marks. Visit Mt. Baker and you’re almost guaranteed to need powder skis, the fatter the better.
Trees:
The trees at Mt. Baker are massive – giant Douglas Firs and cedars reach for the sky, as if taunting the weather, daring the storms to try and topple them. Trees are the key to having a good time when a storm is raging. Duck into the trees and the visibility instantly improves – just aim for the spaces and you’ll be fine. The next time you take a run through the trees off of Chair 7, take a moment to look around. Stop and look up. And up. Fresh powder and tall, old growth trees – it doesn’t get much better.
Terrain:
The topography of the North Cascades is the same as a crumpled up piece of paper. Jagged peaks, deep valleys – all the ingredients necessary for excellent skiing. The inbounds terrain at Mt. Baker Ski Area is great – there are innumerable short, steep lines – it’s like mini-golf for the expert skier. Pick a line, ski it, and move on to the next one. And, while the inbounds terrain is excellent, if you have the knowledge and the skills, as well as an
avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and partner, the backcountry terrain is even better. You could spend a lifetime exploring the mountain around the ski area. Shuksan, Herman, Mt. Ruth, Mt. Baker…the list goes on. Take a class, learn how to stay safe, and start exploring.
And More…
That’s the beginning of our list…What do you have to add? Partial to the Man Pies at the base lodge? Like the sayings on the lift tickets? Tell us below, or let us know on
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Fairhaven Bike & Ski 