Who’s ready for Opening Day? We see those hands. Who isn’t ready for the first powder day? After all, there’s nothing like the lift to the top of a mountain for the first time each season to make you feel like a kid again.
Soon, it’ll be opening day at ski areas around the Northwest, where you’ll discover diverse runs for skiers and snowboarders of every skill level.
Opening Day in Whistler Blackcomb
Opening Day is set Nov. 28 at Whistler Blackcomb, with its massive backcountry access, more than a dozen high-alpine bowls and six terrain parks. You’ll find plenty of powder during peak season, from December through March. These mountains boast some of the best winter sports conditions in the world.
Mt. Hood’s Opening Day
One of the most popular ski resorts in the U.S. is Mt. Hood. Stay in Moosewood Cabin, which has three bedrooms and is near Mt. Hood Skibowl. Skibowl has its (hopeful) opening day set for Dec. 1.
A Season Kick-Off Party is set Dec. 7 at Mt. Hood Meadows, one of the largest ski areas in Oregon. It’s a great spot for beginners with lots of trails and the Children’s Learning Center.
Summit Ski Area opens when there’s enough snow, so they encourage you to pray for it. Summit is also great for beginners with its small size and affordable lift tickets that start at $23 for junior afternoon passes.
Grand Targhee, Wyoming
The lifts at Grand Targhee, WY will start spinning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 22, conditions permitting.
Grand Targhee offers amazing skiing with wide-open bowls, a lot of snow (fingers crossed) and lots of family-friendly activities like a tubing park, snowmobile backcountry tours and more. There’s usually a lot of snow – and not a lot of people – making it a perfect spot for a ski or snowboard getaway.
Sit back in the hot tub and enjoy the view with a stay at our Spring Creek Magic rental, which accommodates up to 14 guests. Teton Harmony is a mountain home that’s a 30-second walk to the Grand Targhee shuttle.
Mt. Baker, Wash.
Opening day falls between Nov. 1 and Dec. 12 (the latest date on recent record) at Mt. Baker near Bellingham, WA. Mt. Baker has fast runs, breath-taking views and world-record snowfall. Its steep terrain is perfect for shredding.
A stay in Sunriver, OR puts you close to the Hoodoo Ski Area and Mt. Bachelor, as well.
Hoodoo Ski Area, which sits at the top of Santiam Pass in the Cascade Mountains, offers more than 800 acres of terrain, 34 runs, five lifts and one of the largest tubing parks in the West. It’s great for beginning and intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Mt. Bachelor enjoys a ton of bluebird powder days. Its variety of trails make for some fun runs, including great tree skiing.
