Brian Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 My son is moving to the Tocoma WA area and wanted to know what would be good places to ride that are close as well as driving say 2-4 hrs. Any good suggestions would be appriciated. aloha Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Crystal Mt., about 60-90 mins from tacoma, depending on where you are. http://www.skicrystal.com/ Stevens is about an hour more. http://www.stevenspass.com/ Baker is awesome on a good powder day. 3-4 hours from tacoma, depending on traffic. http://www.mtbaker.us/ Mt. hood has 3 area's, all about 4 hors from Tacoma. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/conditions http://www.skihood.com/ http://skibowl.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Dahl Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Crystal has several good carving runs, can't remember the names, been some time since I was there. Stevens Pass has three good blue runs for carving turns on the frontside, one short but good black when it's groomed. Baker has one really decent blue for carving, called Daytona. Baker is best for pow days, esp. if riding with friends and carrying all the out of bounds gear. The Oregon guys will have to chime in here for Hood, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted October 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 I want to thank you guys for your replies and suggestions, they sound better than flying to Whistler ($$$) the time and logistics. aloha Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Whistler is 41/2 hours from northe Seattle depending on traffic and the border, say 5 1/2 from Tacoma for the same. Crystal is about 1 1/2 hours from Tacoma, again traffic and conditions will play a factor. If it's Saturday morning on a pow day, good luck, leave really early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike g. Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 what about White Pass. That's about 2 hours. Only been there once. ________ hot box vape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 what about White Pass. That's about 2 hours. Only been there once. It's pretty small, but cheap. Some OK runs for carving on the front, good begineer runs on the back, though really short, about 500'. Good off piste powder in the trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyak.net Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 It's pretty small, but cheap. Some OK runs for carving on the front, good begineer runs on the back, though really short, about 500'. Good off piste powder in the trees. You don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. White Pass has a base of 4,500' and top of 6,000' (1,500' vertical). There are great tree runs and easy accessed backcountry and good ski runs throughout the area. White is not the biggest, but it is one of the better ski areas in WA IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P06781 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 You don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. White Pass has a base of 4,500' and top of 6,000' (1,500' vertical). There are great tree runs and easy accessed backcountry and good ski runs throughout the area. White is not the biggest, but it is one of the better ski areas in WA IMO. Agree as I have hiked the PCT near there in the Goats Rock Wilderness. Super area and highest elevations of the PCT ! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galen Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 You don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. White Pass has a base of 4,500' and top of 6,000' (1,500' vertical). There are great tree runs and easy accessed backcountry and good ski runs throughout the area. White is not the biggest, but it is one of the better ski areas in WA IMO. Geez, who put the bug in your ass There are no above average carving runs on white pass, unless your using hyak as a standard. I know what the elevation rise is, I was referring to the dbl chair on the west side when I said '500, and that is approximately correct. I also said there's good tree riding. I don't see how it is significantly better then Baker, Stevens or Crystal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyak.net Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Geez, who put the bug in your ass There are no above average carving runs on white pass, unless your using hyak as a standard. I know what the elevation rise is, I was referring to the dbl chair on the west side when I said '500, and that is approximately correct. I also said there's good tree riding. I don't see how it is significantly better then Baker, Stevens or Crystal. Well, when you come out with a statement of saying WP has a vert of 500', and now you say your talking about a double chair on the west? Makes no sense. With that logic I could say "Crystal only has 800' of vertical because I only count the Rainier Express chair". The initial question was "where to ski close to Tacoma". There are 3 ski areas that are within the driving time asked. Snoqualmie Pass, Crystal Mtn and White Pass. Snoqualmie is the easiest drive, being all multi-lane interstate. Crystal Mtn is closer, but will take about the same amount of time from Tacoma because of slower roads, and White Pass is about an hour further. If your son is new to the area I would suggest Snoqualmie Pass. There are 4 areas all owned by the same company and depending on experience level he can ride anything from beginner terrain at West to advanced at Alpental for the same ticket. Crystal is nice, but it is almost $60/day which can get a bit expensive and they charge the same for a weekday as they do weekend. White Pass is a personal favorite for many reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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