Mount Baker to open in winter season with limited coronavirus restrictions in place

Mount Baker Ski Area will be open for the 2020-21 winter season with certain coronavirus restrictions in place, according to its website.

Some aspects of the operation are still being worked out and there is no set opening date for the area.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted average snowfall in the Pacific Northwest this winter, but also said northern mountains of the Western United States are generally favored by a La Niña pattern in terms of snowfall and temperature.

Whistler, B.C. saw snow in last week’s storm according to the ski area’s webcams.

Mount Baker’s website noted that “Our crew has spent many, many hours this summer planning for the various scenarios we may see this winter, and now our crew is putting these plans into action and we will be ready for the snow to fly.”

Daily operations at Heather Meadows Base Area and the Raven Hut Lodge will be open seven days a week through May 1, pending conditions while the White Salmon Base Area will be open on weekends and holidays and possibly midweek days.

Reservations to ride the lifts will not be required when the season starts, but will be implemented if there are restrictions on how many people can be skiing or riding on the mountain. Should reservations be required, 51 percent will be held for season pass holders. Certain facilities such as chairlifts, lodges and ski area restrooms can only be used by daily lift ticket and season pass holders only.

Passes can be bought online and will be shipped to your address.

If there government-mandated closures between Dec. 10 and May 5, 2021, season pass credits will be issued. And, with the U.S.-Canadian Border not open for recreational traffic before Sept. 30, Droppin’ In rates will be extended to returning 2019-20 Canadian pass holders when the border opens for recreation.