Summit at Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass open for winter season Friday

The Summit at Snoqualmie and Stevens Pass both announced Wednesday that they will open this Friday, Dec. 2 for the opening of the ski and snowboard season.

The Summit at Snoqualmie will open only to Summit and Ikon passholders for limited operations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. Officials said Tuesday’s storm delivered 18 inches of fresh snow, which is “more than enough snow to make the call to hit the start button on lifts at Summit West.”

The Summit’s website says despite the recent snowfall, overall snow depth is still low, so anyone who visits should look ahead and watch for marked and unmarked hazards.

Lift ticket access at The Summit will begin Saturday, Dec. 3. After opening weekend, the area will be closed on Monday and Tuesday before reopening Wednesday through Sunday.

Stevens Pass opened Friday, as the resort celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. After an avalanche of criticism last year, newly-appointed general manager Ellen Galbraith is looking to start out on the right foot. She’s a former ski racer who’s been with Vail Resorts for two decades.

“We are in a really good place, you can feel it,” said Galbraith.

Vail Resort raised employee wages and is now offering seasonal workers year-round benefits. Galbraith says recruiting was a top priority and they’re starting off the season fully staffed.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep lines moving both inside and outside,” said Galbraith. “We have more employees coming to join our team over the next few weeks.”

Last winter, the majority of the mountain was not accessible until halfway through the season. Friday, seven out of eleven lifts were up and running. Passholders KIRO 7′s Lauren Donovan spoke to said that’s a good sign.

“This year everything’s going, they’ve got a new manager here which is nice and stuff is moving right along today,” said 25-year-passholder, Matthew Dede.

Galbraith believes once another big storm rolls through, they’ll be able to open up the other four lifts.

“There are going to be issues, things will happen with the roads, things will happen with snow control,” said Galbraith. “But it feels different and I think anyone who wants to come back up and give Stevens Pass a try, they’ll experience it themselves.”

Those who plan to visit Stevens Pass are advised to arrive early and carpool if possible, and to book equipment in advance.

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