Whatcom Roundup: Thanksgiving charities; Mt. Baker Ski Area opens; events and live music
Here’s your weekly roundup of the latest retail, business and restaurant activity in and around Whatcom County:
Local charities needing help for Thanksgiving
Local nonprofits and churches are serving Thanksgiving meals or putting together meals to give to those in need across Whatcom County, and they could use your help. Here’s your guide to local ways you can serve others this Thanksgiving, whether by donating your time, food or other needed items.
Mt. Baker Ski Area opens for the season
Mt. Baker Ski Area officially opened for the season on Thursday, Nov. 21, after welcoming pass holders only on Wednesday, Nov. 20, an early opening compared to last year.
“In the last 10 years we have opened before Thanksgiving five out of the 10 seasons,” Communications Director Amy Trowbridge told The Herald.
This season’s snowfall should be heavier than last ear as well, according to Trowbridge.
“The long range forecast is generally for a La Nina pattern, which historically has brought lots of snow to Mt. Baker. Last season was a very low snow year for us, although still average for most other ski areas, so we are very excited about the forecast for good snowfall this season,” Trowbridge said.
Staff also worked throughout the summer to improve the ski area.
“Our summer projects were focused on facility and equipment maintenance, and continuing upgrades to our utilities systems,” Trowbridge said. “One on-mountain project we completed this summer will be a great enhancement to the beginner experience at Mt. Baker; we moved the location of our beginner handle tow at Heather Meadows to the other side of the beginner slope. This has improved the access to the slope and reduced congestion in that area.”
Chairlifts run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the lodge facilities are open from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily.
Thanksgiving meals and open restaurants
Certain Bellingham restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving, serving traditional Thanksgiving dinners with all the fixings, or nontraditional meals to try something new. If you rather eat at home, local restaurants and bakeries are also offering take-home options and meals, such a turkey, pumpkin pie, pastries, lasagna and more.
Here’s your guide to local restaurants serving up Thanksgiving meals and to-go foods.
Bellingham events, trivia nights and live music
Bellingham is full of local events, markets, festivals and other events during the month of November. Here’s your guide to this month’s events, trivia, live music and more. For an extensive list of local events, visit our new Events page at www.bellinghamherald.com/events/#.
Discover Whatcom
If you’re looking for some fun things to do in Whatcom County, new restaurants to visit, or stories on what makes our area unique, subscribe to our free weekly “Discover Whatcom” newsletter below.
