Thanks to a La Nina winter, an early snowfall is predicted for Seattle and the surrounding area this year. This is good news for Seattleites who are itching to hit the slopes. Several ski resorts near Seattle are hoping to open as early as Thanksgiving weekend! Whether you’re a total beginner or a pro looking for a new challenge, our guide to the coolest ski resorts near Seattle is here to help you have the best season.
Make sure to check back as we update this list frequently—three ski resorts just announced opening dates!
Here are the top ski resorts near Seattle and their 2024 opening dates:
1. The Summit at Snoqualmie
Summit at Snoqualmie is the closest ski resort to Seattle: it’s only one hour by car. It’s also debuting some exciting improvements this year, including two new chairlifts (meaning shorter lines!), opening Alpental and Summit East on more days, and a new parking system.
📅 Opening date: To be announced! Check back soon.
📍Address: 1001 WA-906, Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068
2. Stevens Pass
The popular Stevens Pass ski area is about two hours from Seattle, located at the crest of the Cascade Mountains. While you’re in the area, it’s only a 40-minute drive down the mountain to visit the famous Bavarian-style village Leavenworth, which will be all lit up for Christmas. See our guide to visiting Leavenworth.
📅 Opening date: Friday, December 6, 2024
📍Address: 93001 NE Stevens Pass Hwy, US 2, Skykomish, WA 98288
3. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in Enumclaw is a two-hour drive from Seattle. This year they are opening a new day lodge called Mountain Commons Lodge, which will have a food hall, a bar, a coffee shop, and a retail shop.
📅 Opening date: To be announced! Check back soon.
📍Address: 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd, Enumclaw, WA 98022
4. Mt. Baker Ski Area
Mt Baker Ski Area is a little over three hours north of Seattle, just below the Canadian border. Season passes are already sold out but Seattle Met calls their in-person day tickets “the best deal in the Cascades.”
📅 Opening date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
📍Address: Mt Baker Ski Area, Mt Baker Hwy, Deming, WA 98244
5. Mission Ridge
Located in the Washington ski town of Wenatchee, Mission Ridge is a three-hour trip from Seattle. This is a great place to go if you’re a beginner. Their “Learn to Ski/Snowboard Freedom Pass” includes unlimited beginner lessons, unlimited beginner lift access, and unlimited rentals for the season (more info here). Mission Ridge is expected to open by Thanksgiving weekend.
📅 Opening date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
📍Address: 7500 Mission Ridge Rd Wenatchee, WA 98801
6. White Pass Ski Area
White Pass Ski Area is about a three-hour drive from Seattle. Located in the South Central Cascades, it’s only 12 miles from Mt. Rainier National Park so you get to enjoy stunning views of the volcano while you ski.
📅 Opening date: Friday, November 22, 2024
📍Address: 48935 US-12, Naches, WA 98937
7. Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
Whistler Blackcomb is five hours from Seattle but only two hours from Vancouver. Yes: that’s Vancouver B.C., not Vancouver, WA. You do in fact have to cross the border to get to this ski resort. That said, we included it in our list because it’s worth planning a full weekend getaway! Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. It also boasts the world’s highest and longest lift system. People make the trip there not just from the Pacific Northwest but from all over the world, so we’re lucky to have it be relatively accessible from Seattle.
📅 Opening date: Friday, November 22, 2024
📍Address: 4401 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4, Canada