Mountain Ranges for Snowboarding (Seattle, Snoqualmie: hotels, price, best)

[Carebear1707]

Hi all!
I will be visiting my family (in the Seattle area) for the New Year 12/28 to 1/8 and I was curious what mountain range / snowboarding parks are the best and if the snow is often good during this time of year. I know that you have been getting a lot of rain but is it getting snow in the mountains?

Thank you all for your imput.

[kmfseattle]

I love Crystal mountain, SE of Seattle on Mt. Rainier. Absolutely pristine drive once you get out of the more populated areas. A large gap between the bunny slope and the larger runs though.

Snoqualmie is the easiest to get to from Seattle, but tends to be packed as a result and I'm not a fan of their runs overall. If convenience is a factor though, this will probably be where you end up.

Stevens is good too, but traffic tends to be pretty horendous due to road conditions and the two lane "highway" that you have to take to get there.

Whistler-Blackcomb is amazing, by far the best runs I've ever been on hands down. It's a good 4.5 hours north in BC, but worth it if you have the time and the funds for the overpriced resort hotels.

As for the conditions, generally speaking most if not all of the resorts are open by early December so new years shouldn't have a problem. I know Snoqualmie got quite a bit of new snow over the past few weeks, and I got an email from some Whistler marketing thing I apparently signed up for confirming that they're open a few days back as well.

[Carebear1707]

Thanks KMFSeattle. I'll look into Crystal mountain. I have looked into the Whistler - Blackcomb and it does look like an awesome time but it'll have to wait for some other time. Thanks again

[FoxyKnox]

Don't forget about White Pass...it's a good 3.5 hour drive from Seattle, but well worth it. The snow is amazing and even on a Saturday the longest lift line you'll wait in is only about 15 minutes...you can wait 45 at Crystal on a busy day.

But KMF Seattle is correct, if you want local and GOOD, Crystal is by far your best bet. Crystal Mountain Washington Home

[_Charles_]

There is a tiny family run ski area near Hurricane Ridge in the Olympics. I don't if they allow snow boarding though.

[cvanripe10]

How do you ski/snowboard in the rain??? I thought it rained in Seattle...