The Ultimate Guide to Skiing in the PNW
If there’s one thing we have an abundance of in the Pacific Northwest, it’s precipitation. Along the coast, it’s rain but in the mountains, it’s snow, and plenty of it. Between Washington and Oregon, there are roughly 35 lift-served ski areas scattered across the Cascade Range and beyond. From celebrated resorts with world-class terrain to small but mighty independent hills, the PNW ski scene runs deep. Whether you’re a skier or snowboarder, a park rat or powder hound, there’s something here for every type of mountain lover. Dive in below as we explore some of our favorite ski areas across the Pacific Northwest.
Washington Ski Areas
Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain sits at the foot of Mount Rainier and holds the title of Washington’s largest ski resort. With 2,600 acres of terrain, high-speed lifts, and the Mt. Rainier Gondola, Crystal is the closest thing Washington has to a major destination resort. Despite its size and modern lift system, Crystal maintains a small-mountain community charm.
With over 2,400 vertical feet and an average of 348 inches of snowfall, Crystal offers a balance of 35% advanced/expert, 54% intermediate, and 11% beginner terrain. Hopping off the gondola and coming face-to-face with Mount Rainier is one of the best moments you can have during a Washington winter. The terrain in Crystal is superb. The mountain is home to several world-class set-ups, including Silver King, a towering summit that stands at 7,012 feet in elevation and is accessed via an arduous bootpack.
The Summit at Snoqualmie
Driving about an hour east on I-90 from Seattle will take you to the base of Summit at Snoqualmie, where skiers can access four ski areas: Summit East, Summit Central, Summit West, and the famed Alpental ski area. As the closest resort to Seattle, Snoqualmie can experience weekend crowds, but its four separate mountains help spread out the masses.
In total, the Summit boasts nearly 2,000 skiable acres, 2,280 vertical feet, and 25 lifts. Across its terrain, you’ll find 14% beginner, 33% intermediate, 42% advanced, and 11% expert runs. Snoqualmie also offers more night skiing than anywhere else in the US, making it a perfect after-work escape. Despite its proximity to the city, the area averages 426 inches of snow annually, which is more than enough to keep the stoke alive all winter.
Stevens Pass
Located about 80 miles northeast of Seattle along Highway 2, Stevens Pass has long been one of Washington’s most beloved ski areas. Thanks to its position deep in the Cascades, Stevens often sees cooler, drier weather than other Washington mountains, translating to lighter snow and consistently solid conditions.
With 1,125 acres of skiable terrain and an average of 460 inches of snowfall, Stevens offers a little of everything. The resort sprawls across Cowboy Mountain to the west and Big Chief Mountain to the east. Advanced skiers flock to 7th Heaven and Mill Valley for sustained fall-line runs and deep snow, while beginners and intermediates have plenty of space near the base.
Stevens can fill up quickly on weekends, so get there early and plan ahead, but on a powder day, few places in the Cascades can match it.
Mount Baker
The trip to Mount Baker takes between 2.5 and 3 hours from Seattle and 1.5 hours from Bellingham. Baker is famous for its deep snowpack, often the deepest in North America. The ski area sees an average of 666 inches annually and once set the world record for snowfall in a single season.
Baker’s 1,000 skiable acres and 1,500 vertical feet offer everything from mellow groomers to steep, tree-lined chutes and open bowls. But the real draw is what lies beyond: legendary backcountry and sidecountry access that defines the mountain’s reputation. Baker was also one of the first resorts in the US to allow snowboarding, which firmly cements it on the Mt. Rushmore of snowboard culture hubs. What Baker lacks in polish, it makes up for in character.
White Pass
Like Crystal, White Pass offers stunning views of Mount Rainier but trades the bustle of larger resorts for a more relaxed pace. Located roughly three hours from Seattle, White Pass features 1,400 acres of skiable terrain and 2,000 feet of vertical drop.
The terrain breakdown is 30% beginner, 50% intermediate, and 20% advanced, making it an ideal family mountain. Affordable passes, friendly locals, and a classic PNW vibe keep White Pass on the shortlist for anyone looking for a laid-back day on the slopes.
Mission Ridge
On the dry, sunny side of the Cascades, Mission Ridge offers a totally different feel from the wetter west. With 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, 2,250 vertical feet, and about 200 inches of annual snowfall, Mission Ridge is known for its sunshine, wide-open bowls, and perfectly groomed corduroy.
It’s a favorite for intermediate skiers and riders, but the ridgeline terrain hides plenty of steeps and off-piste challenges. Affordable lift tickets and easy access from Wenatchee make Mission Ridge one of Washington’s best-kept secrets.
49° North Mountain Resort
In the far northeast corner of the state, near Chewelah, 49° North is a local favorite with plenty of room to explore. The mountain spans 2,325 acres of skiable terrain, making it one of Washington’s largest, and receives around 300 inches of snow each season.
The layout is a mix of wide groomers, rolling tree runs, and steep shots off Angel Peak. There’s something for everyone, from long, easy groomers to technical glade runs. The resort’s low-key vibe, friendly locals, and consistent snowfall make 49° North a must-visit for anyone chasing that authentic, small-mountain feel.
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park
Just 30 miles from Spokane, Mt. Spokane is an easy day trip for Eastern Washington skiers. The resort offers 1,425 acres of terrain, 52 named runs, and 1,700 feet of vertical drop. It’s a community-run nonprofit, so every lift ticket and pass helps support the local ski scene.
Mt. Spokane averages around 300 inches of snow each year and has a well-rounded mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain. The mountain recently expanded into a new backside zone, adding more challenging runs and fresh powder stashes. With night skiing, affordable passes, and a laid-back atmosphere, Mt. Spokane is the beating heart of winter recreation in Eastern Washington.
Hurricane Ridge
Located in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge is unlike any other ski area in the Northwest. Perched above the Strait of Juan de Fuca, it’s one of only a handful of lift-served ski hills inside a national park. The area’s small, just a few rope tows and a Poma lift, but the views of the Olympic Mountains are second to none.
Hurricane Ridge sits at 5,240 feet and averages around 400 inches of snowfall per year. On clear days, you can see across the water to Vancouver Island. It’s a truly unique experience, part skiing, part adventure, and a reminder that the PNW’s mountains are as diverse as they are beautiful.
Skiing in Oregon
Mt. Bachelor
Located just outside Bend, Mt. Bachelor is the crown jewel of Oregon skiing. With over 4,300 acres of lift-served terrain and 3,365 feet of vertical drop, it’s one of the largest single-mountain resorts in the US. Bachelor’s extinct volcanic cone offers skiers and riders 360-degree access from the summit, with long groomed runs on one side and natural halfpipes and bowls on the other.
The snow here is dry and consistent, averaging around 460 inches a year, and the season stretches well into May. The sheer size of Bachelor means there’s room for everyone: high-speed cruisers for intermediates, steep lines off the summit for experts, and playful natural terrain everywhere in between. With Bend’s breweries and restaurants just 20 minutes away, Bachelor offers a perfect blend of big-mountain skiing and small-town après.
Timberline Lodge
Timberline is Oregon skiing at its most classic. Perched on the south side of Mt. Hood, the historic 1930s lodge sits at 6,000 feet and looks straight up at the mountain’s 11,245-foot summit. The resort stretches from the lodge to the Palmer Snowfield, offering 4,540 feet of vertical drop, one of the biggest in North America, and the longest ski season on the continent.
In the heart of winter, Timberline delivers wide-open groomers and tree-lined runs with sweeping views of the Cascades. By spring, the upper mountain becomes a playground for park riders and racers training on the glacier. For many locals, Timberline isn’t just a ski hill; it’s an institution, a piece of Oregon history that still defines the state’s winter culture.
Mt. Hood Meadows
Just 90 minutes from Portland, Mt. Hood Meadows is Oregon’s most popular resort, and for good reason. With 2,150 acres of terrain, high-speed lifts, and an average of 430 inches of annual snowfall, Meadows combines accessibility with legit big-mountain skiing.
The terrain spans from rolling beginner zones to double-black steeps in Heather Canyon and Private Reserve. On powder days, the upper bowls fill with deep snow, and on sunny afternoons, the front-side groomers are as good as it gets. It’s the kind of place where you can log 20,000 vertical feet by lunch and still be home in time for dinner in Portland.
Hoodoo Ski Area
Tucked along Highway 20 between Bend and Eugene, Hoodoo is a Central Oregon classic. Family-owned and proudly independent, Hoodoo delivers 800 acres of approachable terrain and one of the best night-skiing operations in the state.
The mountain averages approximately 375 inches of snow each year and offers a balanced mix of groomed runs, glades, and playful terrain. It’s less about flash and more about fun, the kind of place where everyone knows the lifties by name and the après scene revolves around tailgates in the parking lot. On a storm day, the backside trees hold powder long after the crowds at Bachelor have tracked theirs out.
Willamette Pass
Roughly an hour and a half from Eugene, Willamette Pass is a mid-sized resort with an outsized reputation. The mountain’s 1,563 vertical feet and 555 acres of terrain are laced with long, rolling runs and a few seriously steep fall-lines off Eagle Peak. It’s home to one of the steepest lift-served runs in the Northwest, RTS, a 52-degree pitch that still turns heads.
Willamette averages over 400 inches of snow annually and stays under the radar compared to Hood or Bachelor. It’s affordable, uncrowded, and full of that authentic Oregon ski energy that keeps locals coming back season after season.
Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
Far to the east, near Baker City, Anthony Lakes is small in size but huge in character. The resort tops out at 7,100 feet, the highest base elevation in Oregon, and gets light, dry snow more typical of the Rockies than the coast.
With just 1,100 acres and a single triple chair, it’s an old-school mountain that thrives on simplicity: short lift lines, deep snow, and endless backcountry beyond the ropes. The views of the Elkhorn Mountains stretch for miles, and the powder often lasts for days. For skiers chasing solitude and untouched lines, Anthony Lakes might be Oregon’s best-kept secret.
Mt. Ashland
In southern Oregon near the California border, Mt. Ashland serves as the community hill for the Rogue Valley, and it punches well above its weight. The mountain’s 1,150 vertical feet and 240 acres of terrain pack a surprising variety, from mellow groomers to steep chutes that funnel into the bowl below.
Mt. Ashland averages around 250 inches of snowfall per year, and its nonprofit model keeps lift tickets affordable and the vibe friendly. It’s not a luxury resort; it’s a locals’ hill through and through, built around passion for skiing and riding. On a powder morning, it feels like everyone in town called in sick.
To the uninitiated, winter in the PNW may seem borderline unbearable with endless grey skies and constant rain. But the same weather systems that bring constant drizzles and grey skies to lower elevations deliver feet of snow to our favorite mountains. Winter isn't something to endure in the Pacific Northwest; it's something we chase.