Best Skiing in Washington State

While it may be more famous for its rainy weather, the mountain tops near Seattle and Tacoma get their fair share of snow as well making for some pretty incredible skiing. In fact Washington has 16 ski resorts, catering to every type of skier from family friendly resorts to extreme terrain. Most of Washington’s ski resorts are along the spine of the Cascade Mountains. If you’re trying to figure out where to hit the slopes in Washington, here’s a few of our favorite.

5 Best Ski Resorts in Washington

Mt. Baker Ski Area

The resort is an hour east of Bellingham, putting it over three hours from Seattle, but with legendary snowfall and extreme terrain, it’s well worth the trek, especially for backcountry experts. Sandwiched between the peaks of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan, Mt. Baker Ski Area offers 1,000 acres of skiable terrain, with plenty of groomed routes and extensive tree lines to go along with the large terrain park. The resort itself is no-frills but the massive snowfall and extended season make up for that.

Crystal Mountain Resort

Two hours from Seattle (and even closer to Tacoma) in the shadow of Mount Rainier National Park, sits Washington’s largest ski resort, Crystal Mountain Resort. This full-service ski resort offers 2,600 skiable acres, 10 chairlifts and a gondola. Even if there are lines on the weekends, there’s plenty of mountain for everyone, plus stunning views of Mt. Rainier. Great for beginners and families, they offer Terrain Based Learning at the resort and have several snowshoe trails as well.

Stevens Pass

One of the most popular ski spots in Washington, Stevens Pass is just 90 minutes from Seattle. With more than 1,125 skiable acres spanning three sides of two mountains, it has an abundance of terrain for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers. There’s a dedicated learning area and great ski school, plus at Stevens Pass Nordic Center you’ll find cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Throw in some night skiing and it’s easy to see why Stevens Pass makes the list.

The Summit at Snoqualmie

The closest ski resort to Seattle, Summit at Snoqualmie is one of Washington’s most popular ski destinations. The resort is comprised of four mountain bases offering world-class terrain with more than 100 designated downhill runs, 20 chairlifts and about 2,000 skiable acres. They also offer snow tubing, night skiing, many dining options and Nordic ski trails.

Mission Ridge

A little further out from Seattle and flying a little under the radar is Mission Ridge, offering plenty of sunny days and dry powdery snow from the east side of the Cascades. But further from Seattle here means better snow. It’s ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers with a fantastic backcountry terrain. Nearby towns of Leavenworth and Wenatchee offer a variety of lodging and dining options.

Seattle Ski Storage

Now that you’ve hit the slopes, it’s time to put away your skis. Make sure you’ve got a nice place to store them with Log Ski Rack. We believe in creating pieces that are both beautiful and functional. Our high-quality ski and snowboard storage racks are handcrafted from northern white cedar. Shop our ski and snowboard racks online now or contact us for a custom rack to meet your unique needs.