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Mt. Baker Ski Area is a ski area located in the Cascade Range in the US state of Washington. The area features 38 named runs of more than 62 mi (100 km), serviced by ten lifts. The ski resort is also known for its immense snowfall, boasting an average of 663 inches (17 m) and often receiving the most snowfall of any ski resort in the world. It also holds the world record for measured snowfall in a single season at 1,140 inches (95 ft / 29 m). Besides its deep snowpack, it offers expert terrain in-bounds with easily accessible side and backcountry terrain. However, most terrain is suitable for intermediate skiers, with a small amount of terrain for beginners. The Mt. Baker ski season generally lasts from late November through late April.
Mt. Baker Ski Area is in Whatcom County, in the northwestern section of the US state of Washington. Situated in the North Cascades, a subrange of the Cascade Range, its White Salmon Base Area is at an elevation of 3,500 ft (1,067 m), with the highest point being Chair 8, which tops out at 5,089 ft (1,551 m). Thus, the lift-accessible vertical rise is 1,589 ft (484 m). The ski area also features a second base area, Heather Meadows, at 4,300 ft (1,310 m).
The ski area lies within Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, with the Nooksack River Valley to the north. Despite its name, the resort is closer to Mount Shuksan (9,134 ft / 2,784 m), located to the southeast. Mount Baker (10,784 ft / 3,287 m) lies southwest.
The highest named peak in the resort is Panorama Dome, located at the top of Chair 1 and Chair 6 (5,026 ft / 1,532 m).
Mt. Baker is the main ski resort near Bellingham on the banks of Bellingham Bay which is part of the Salish Sea, located 52 mi (84 km) west or just 21 mi (34 km) south of the US-Canada border.
Many other natural areas surround the region: The Mount Baker Wilderness is directly west and north of the resort, while North Cascades National Park lies to the east. The Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness lies south of the ski area.
The Mt. Baker Ski Resort is easily accessible by all available modes of transportation: by plane from other states or from abroad, your own or rented car from Seattle, or by shuttle service.
The nearest airport to Mt. Baker is Bellingham International Airport, located just north of Bellingham, roughly 50 mi (80 km) west of the ski area. The closest major airport in the country is Sea-Tac International Airport, located 145 mi (233 km) south, between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma.
As the ski area lies just 10 mi (16 km) south of the US-Canada border, those with a passport can also utilize British Columbia, Canada airports. Below are a few Canadian airports in the region:
Then, getting from the airport to Mt. Baker Ski Area by your own or rented car is relatively straightforward, as it sits at the end of State Route 542, also known as Mount Baker Highway.
From Bellingham, Sunset Drive travels east and turns into Mount Baker Highway. Visitors stay on this road as it travels through the Nooksack River Valley before eventually climbing to the designated ski area. Those visiting should note that there are no public utilities, such as gas, in the area.
From Seattle, visitors travel north along Interstate 5 for roughly 70 mi (112 km) before merging onto WA-9 North. This highway intersects with Mount Baker Highway in the city of Deming. From there, visitors stay on Mount Baker Highway until reaching the ski area.
There are two main parking lots at Mt. Baker Ski Area, with one located at each of the base lodges:
The Baker Bus is a shuttle service that transports skiers from Bellingham to the ski area. The bus features multiple pick-up locations and makes stops along the way in Kendall, Maple Falls, and Glacier. The bus only operates if at least five seats have been reserved. The fare is $20 round-trip from Bellingham.
Mt. Baker Ski Area usually opens in late November and runs through late April, with an average season of around 140 days. The best snow conditions are often mid-December through early March.
Mt. Baker Ski Area boasts an average annual snowfall of 663 inches (17 m), often receiving the most snowfall of any ski resort in the world. During the 1998–99 season, Mt. Baker Ski Area broke a world record after receiving 1,140 inches (95 ft / 29 m) of snow. Due to the massive snowpack, Mt. Baker is the only ski area in the Cascade Range of Washington not to use snowmaking devices.
The relatively low elevation of the ski area, coupled with its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, results in periods of rain and heavy, wet snow. These occasional wet conditions are historically outnumbered by fresh snow and deep powder days.
Baker is the land of extremes when it comes to snow. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning to spend time here:
With two base areas — White Salmon and Heather Meadows — and advanced to expert terrain throughout the region, getting around Mt. Baker Ski Area can be a bit confusing on your first visit. Below is an overview of the area and how to get around.
Skiers can access both the easiest and most challenging runs on the mountain through the Heather Meadows Base Area. Intermediate skiers can find ample ski runs beginning at the White Salmon Base Area and the Raven Hut Lodge.
From the top of Chair 8, skiers have sweeping views of Mount Shuksan (9,134 ft / 2,784 m) to the southeast. On a clear day, skiers have sweeping views of Mount Baker (10,784 ft / 3,287 m) from Panorama Dome, serviced by Chair 6 and 1.
Mt. Baker Ski Area offers terrain suitable for skiers of all skill levels. However, the mountain caters more to intermediate, as well as advanced, and expert skiers. Beginner terrain covers 24 % of the ski area. Meanwhile, 45 % of slopes are ideal for intermediate skiers. More experienced skiers can still enjoy the ski area, with 31 % of the terrain classified as expert-level. The expert terrain is marked as an “extreme danger zone” on the mountain to help ensure skiers without the proper skill set do not enter this terrain by accident.
Please note that the following color scheme is used to rate ski runs at Mount Baker Ski Area:
The total ski area acreage is 1,000 (405 hectares).
As for the ski lifts, Mt. Baker ski resort has ten: eight chairlifts and two handle tows.
Slopes
Ski lifts
Other features and services
Though no cross-country ski or snowshoe trails are within the designated ski area, visitors can find routes for both activities nearby.
Skiers can access the main backcountry ski section in the region from the Heather Meadows Base Area. From the parking lot, skiers have ample terrain to ski some untouched powder surrounded by the North Cascades.
They have multiple options for ascending the slopes of the main backcountry bowl, which features the frozen Bagley Lakes at its base. Popular routes include Table Mountain Ascent and Herman Saddle. To drop back into the main bowl, skiers have roughly 20 different lines to choose from.
Once at the top of Herman Saddle and Table Mountain (5,751 ft / 1,753 m), skiers have unobstructed views of Mount Baker (10,784 ft / 3,287 m) to the southwest. From Herman Saddle, they can explore Iceberg Bowl and Osama before skinning back up and dropping back down to Bagley Lakes. A few routes, such as Guidos Glades and Swift Creek, drop off the south side of the Table Mountain Ascent, though a majority of the routes in the region descend back into the main bowl.
Skiers can access the backcountry terrain on the Mount Shuksan (9,134 ft / 2,784 m) side of the ski area from the top of Chair 8. Skiers can ascend along the Shuksan Arm before skiing some of the region's steepest terrain, including routes such as Hollywood Ridge, Pyramid, and Safety Line.
Anyone entering the backcountry should have the knowledge, skills, and gear necessary for avalanche terrain. Skiers should also check Northwest Avalanche Center for up-to-date avalanche forecasts. Fortunately, Mt. Baker has embraced a culture of awareness around the Shuksan Arm backcountry gate. Ski Patrol will check to ensure you have a beacon, shovel, and probe. You must also have a partner; no solo adventures on the Arm.
The arm extends for hours and hours. You can hike far. Eventually, the ridge gets steeper and becomes more of a mountaineering challenge. Glaciers began to make themselves known on the north-facing side, mostly above 7000 ft (2134 m). A skin track and a boot track will start from the gate.
Mt. Baker Ski Area is still an independently run ski area offering multiple types of season passes.
Season passes can be purchased during the months preceding an upcoming ski season. The ski area also offers a Mostly Midweek Season Pass, which pass holders can use on Mondays through Fridays and weekends following mid-March. The Mostly Midweek Season Pass can’t be used on holidays and a few other blackout dates.
A single adult day lift ticket costs $87.04 (not including tax). A Beginner Chair Only ticket is $54.63 plus tax for those just learning to ski. Children under the age of 6 are free.
Before or after skiing, visit the official tourist office of the nearest town of Bellingham:
Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
I-5 Exit 253, 904 Potter Street, Bellingham, WA, 98229, United States
Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am (11 am on Tuesday) to 4 pm
+13606713990
Skiers can find the only dining options available at Mt. Baker Ski Area in the three ski lodges: White Salmon, Raven Hut, and Heather Meadows. The main lodges of White Salmon and Heather Meadows offer a selection of burgers, fries, soups, and salads. The Raven Hut Lodge offers more healthy food options, including grain, protein, and vegetable bowls with rotating weekly specials.
There is no lodging at the ski area. However, the ski area offers limited overnight parking spots and requires reservations. There are no hookups in the parking lots, so overnight vehicles must be self-contained. The sites are $32 a night per vehicle.
It may sound rustic, but folks who camp in the parking lot overnight are the only ones who will be skiing to the lift the following day. Visitors lacking RVs must extend their search to Glacier and Bellingham to find lodging. Unfortunately, Baker is one of those resorts where you will always have to make the commute. However, Glacier is an adorable town at the base of the mountains, while Bellingham is a bustling, hip, and artsy center. Both are great destinations for tourists, even without the nearby ski resort.
Each year the Mt. Baker Ski Area hosts several events and races, including the Golden Egg Hunt and races such as the Annual Legendary Banked Slalom and Locals Qualifier. Other events in Bellingham include the Mt. Baker Season Launch Party, Baker on the Brain Trivia Night, and the Mt. Baker Film Fest at the Mount Baker Theatre.
The Chair 9 bar in the (closest) town of Glacier, WA, is the spot for those looking to kick back with a beer after a day on the slopes. It’s the only option, but it’s a good one nonetheless. Grab some pizza and select from several local craft brews on tap.
Mt. Baker ski area is 20 minutes from Glacier, WA, the closest town. Bellingham is just over an hour, and Seattle is just under three hours by car.
The closest major city to the ski area is Bellingham, located on the banks of Bellingham Bay, part of the Salish Sea. Home to around 93,000 residents, the coastal city is known for its many hiking, trail running, and mountain biking trails. The city also boasts numerous local craft breweries, such as Aslan Brewing Company and Wander Brewing. The aforementioned Mount Baker Theatre is one of the city's prominent architectural landmarks.
Seattle lies a ninety-minute drive south of Bellingham. Situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it marks the most populous city in the state. Home to a large tech industry, Seattle is nestled in the western foothills of the Cascade Range. The Space Needle, an iconic city symbol, was originally built in 1962 to mark the year Seattle hosted the World’s Fair.
