Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Weekly Snow Report 12/11/2012

Here we are at another weekly snow report. Lots has happened in the past week so lets jump right in.

Summit at Snoqualmie:

  • Open at last, currently Summit West is the only area available.
  • Base depth 35 inches.
  • Summit West will re-open on Wednesday and Summit Central will open up operations on Friday.
Crystal Mountain:
  • 8 out of 11 lifts open.
  • Base depth 34 inches, summit depth 64 inches.
Stevens Pass:
  • 9 out of 10 lifts operational.
  • Base depth 68 inches, summit snow is 74 inches deep.
Mt. Baker:
  • The world's snowiest mountain is open to the public.
  • Heather Meadows has 95 inches and there is 113 inches at the base of the Pan Dome.
Winter is finally among us and another great ski and snowboard season is beginning.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Weekly Snow Report 12/3/2012

Welcome to the second weekly snow report! This week I am adding Mt. Baker to the list, let me know if there is another area you would like to see.

Summit at Snoqualmie:

  • Closed to skiers and snowboarders.
  • Base depth 15 inches.
  • Forecasts point to lots of snow this week, opening day is on our doorstep.
Crystal Mountain:
  • Two out of 11 lifts are running.
  • Base depth 30 inches at the base, 53 inches at the summit.
  • Expect snow on and off throughout the week.
Stevens Pass:
  • Four out of 10 lifts operational.
  • Base depth 43 inches at the base and 53 inches at the top.
  • Snow showers are expected this week.
Mt. Baker:
  • Lifts are up and running.
  • Snow depth 78 inches at the base of Heather Meadows, 98 inches at the base of Pan Dome.
  • Plenty of snow up there, it's not a bad destination for skiers and snowboarders looking for fun.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Top 5 Ways To Get Cheap Ski/Snowboard Gear

As skiers and snowboarders, we all know that the gear it requires to do our favorite winter activity is quite the investment. In fact, both sports are so expensive the price alone often turns away potential newcomers, as good quality gear can easily stretch over $500. Here I have compiled the top 5 ways to save cash while searching for the perfect gear for the upcoming season.

5. Buy last-year's models. Oftentimes, the previous years models are just as good as the newest gear, just at a cheaper price. Keep an eye out for stores who sell this type of gear.

4. Shop during late spring/early summer. Stores usually try to sell off their inventories to clear space for the new models, so you may find some good deals.

3. Go to ski/snowboard swaps. Most areas have annual swaps where you can buy used gear at extremely low prices. This is the perfect choice if you're new to the sport or tight on budget.

2. Rent. If you are new to the sport this is what you will want to do anyway, especially if you are not sure if the activity is something you want to continue doing.

1. Black Friday. This is the number one way to get great gear at amazing prices. In fact, many stores begin their Black Friday sales as early as a week before, so you don't necessarily need to get up early after thanksgiving to get the best deals.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Weekly Snow Report 11/27/2012

This is a new series I am starting which will inform you of snow levels and forecasts at major Washington ski and snowboard areas. Let me know if there is a resort which you would like to see added to this list.

Summit at Snoqualmie:

  • Closed to Skiers and Snowboarders.
  • Base depth 15 inches.
  • Snow is expected to fall throughout the week, opening day may be approaching us soon.
Stevens Pass:
  • Partially open to skiers and snowboarders-some lifts and amenities are available.
  • Base depth 24 inches.
  • Lots of snow expected throughout the week.
  • Keep in mind that early season conditions exist, which increases the danger to reckless people. Ski and ride with caution.
Crystal Mountain:
  • Partially open with 6 lifts operational.
  • Summit snow depth at 30 inches, base snow depth at 17 inches.
  • Lots of snow expected throughout the week.
  • As with Stevens Pass, early season conditions exist. Keep this in mind as you shred the slopes.
  • Reports say the snow is a bit icy.

And that concludes the first ever weekly snow report. Thank you for stopping by and if you liked the report, enter your email at the top of the page to stay updated on all the posts on this blog.