Mt. Baker Ski Area

Mt. Baker Ski Area
Location	Glacier, Washington, US
Nearest city	Bellingham 52 miles (89 km) west - 1hr 15min Drive
Coordinates	48°51′30″N 121°40′38″W
Top elevation	5,089 ft (1,551 m)
Base elevation	3,500 ft (1,100 m) White Salmon Base Area 4,300 ft (1,300 m) Heather Meadows Base Area
Skiable area	1,000 acres (4.0 km2)
Runs	31 - 24% easiest - 45% more difficult - 31% most difficult
Lift system	8 chairs, 2 rope tows
Snowfall	641 in (1,630 cm)
Snowmaking	no
Night skiing	no
Web site	Mt. Baker

A view of Mt. Shuksan from the Ski Area. In the foreground is the White Salmon Lodge.

Mt. Baker Ski Area is a ski resort located in Whatcom County, Washington, United States at the end of State Route 542. The base elevation is at 3,500 feet (1,070 m), while the peak of the resort is at 5,089 feet (1,551 m).

The ski area is home to the world's greatest recorded snowfall in one season: 1,140 inches (95.0 ft; 29.0 m). This record breaking snowfall occurred during the 1998-99 season. Mt. Baker also enjoys the highest average annual snowfall of any resort in the world, with 641 inches (53.4 ft; 16.3 m). .

Mt. Baker ski area is known for numerous challenging inbounds routes and for the many backcountry opportunities which surround it. The backcountry is accessible from several chairlifts and access is permitted from the resort following the Mt. Baker Ski Area backcountry policy.

The Mountain

The lifts at Mt. Baker are not named - they are referred to by number. All are fixed grip quads that do not feature safety bars or footrests. Chairs 3 and 4 access the same point from different sides of the mountain using a continuous loop of cable (haul rope); there is a mid-station at the top for unloading only.

Chair 1 runs from the Heather Meadows Lodge upper base area to the top of Panorama Dome — there is a midpoint station on this lift where other riders can catch it halfway down the mountain, allowing for speedy runs on Austin, Pan Face, North Face, Chicken Ridge, and the famed Chute. Also accessible from Chair 1 is the Canyon, and the rest of the Chair 6 terrain. Chair 2 is located at the Heather Meadows Lodge upper base area. This is a chair for beginners. Chair 3 allows customers to access either the Chairs 4/5/6/Raven Hut Lodge area or return back down to Chairs 2 and 3. Chair 4 runs from the 4/5/6/Raven Hut Lodge area and back up to the top of Chair 3. Chair 5 replaced two parallel double chairs and accesses intermediate terrain, as well as the experts-only Gabl's run and the Elbow backcountry area. Chair 6 runs to the top of Panorama Dome. Chair 7 is the only chair that leaves from the White Salmon Lodge base area. From Chair 7, one can access Chair 8, or the 4/5/6/Raven Hut Lodge area. Chair 8 is the longest chair on the mountain and features longer groomed runs as well as access to the Hemispheres and Shuksan Arm backcountry areas. Additionally, there are two handle tow surface lifts for beginners; one located at White Salmon and one at Heather Meadows.

As of 2010, Mt. Baker has one terrain park, called the Pinky Park, located at the top of chairs 3 and 4. It includes a few smaller jumps as well as a variety of boxes.

Legendary Banked Slalom

Main article: Legendary Banked Slalom

Started in 1985, this slalom snowboard race through the natural half pipe has evolved into an international event. The LBS attracts many pros from around the world as competitors and allows amateurs of all ages and abilities to compete on the same course over the same period with the professionals. The winner of each category receives a much coveted duct tape trophy as well as an embroidered Carhartt jacket.

Featured in Films

Mt Baker Ski Resort is often featured in ski and snowboard films and still photography due to its picturesque setting, plentiful snowfall, and the availability of easily accessed advanced terrain.

External links

A view of the White Salmon lodge from the parking lot. Mt. Shuksan can be seen in the background.

• Mt. Baker Ski Area Website
• Ski Area Checkout on Funner.us, the video production company, from Mt. Baker Ski Resort
• Road Conditions
• NOAA Weather Report for Mt. Baker Ski Resort