Our last day turned out a bit wet but didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the people that showed up!  The snow held up well and was fast, and the drizzle and rain tended to stop in the afternoon, so things got a little better, and we love to see your costumes out on the mountain.


The crews will be busy putting things back in shape for next year, whether it be the lifts, lodges, snow cats, computer systems, snow removal equipment, rental equipment, or fresh gear for the retail shops.  Mt. Baker has some big ski area improvement projects planned for this sumer, so we will be talking with you about them more as summer goes on.


We want to thank every one of you this season, and all in all it's been a very successful one.  Thank you to all of the Season Pass Holders and the daily ticket buyers, we look forward to seeing you again in 2023-2024, and we’re sending a huge shout out and heaps of thanks to all of our employees and volunteers for bringing the Baker friendliness and hard work ethic, always happy to be sharing the stoke with the enjoyment for everyone.


Heather Meadows cafe will start up at the end of June, and season pass information for 2023-24 will be posted in mid-July. so don’t forget about us while you’re steeped in summer mode.  Stop by for a blueberry lemonade, and while you’re at it, go on out and pick a few handfuls of the tastiest wild blueberries for yourself.  They’re completely different from commercially grown berries, and there’s just something super special about being out in the heather meadows area snacking on wild grown fruits.


Did you know the White Salmon Base Area, day lodge, and main ski run off of Chair 5 are named after the rather rare white fleshed king salmon? Yes, it’s true! There really are white fleshed king salmon, and this writer has even caught them before in Puget Sound around the San Juan Islands.  Even the drainage flanking the Chair 8 side of the ski area boundary is named the White Salmon drainage, which flows off the White Salmon glacier on Mount Shuksan, and empties into the North Fork of the Nooksack River. A fun fact about the sea-run salmon, is that they can’t make it past the 180 ft migratorial fish barrier Nooksack Falls. Next time you’re taking a summer drive up the Mt. Baker Highway, take a short detour to view the impressive Nooksack Falls. Just don’t go too close to the edge!


For those of you still reading, here is our last installment in the Stories Behind the Trail Map series. One of the rolls part way down White Salmon is named “Ticket Checker”, named in the 1970s.  Back then we had one ticket checker on the entire mountain, and occasionally he would spring loose for 1 speed run.  So, on a very icy and fast skiing day, he decided to get maximum speed over the roll.  He didn’t plan on going that fast, but ended up being 30 feet in the air and sent it about 100 feet! He got what is commonly called in the back seat, rolling up the windows, and unfortunately landed on his outstretched arms behind him instead of his skis.  Needless to say he broke both arms, but was back to work just as quick as fast as his arms can heal.  Thus, the roll on the hill is forever called ticket checker, and now is adorned with a bright orange slow sign so y’all keep it on the ground.  We hope you’ve enjoyed reading these entries, and we will be picking up the stories behind the trail map again next season.


We hope you have a nice summer, and we look forward to seeing you again in the fall, whenever that snow starts to fly again!

Advisories

Ski Area Closed Advisory

SKI AREA TEMPORARILY CLOSED

SKI AREA CLOSED - Check Snow Report for Re-Opening Date

  • FACILITIES ARE NOT MAINTAINED FOR PUBLIC USE.
  • MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT HAZARDS EXIST AT ALL TIMES THAT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
  • The ski area exists on National Forest land and should you choose to enter this area, you are entering UNCONTROLLED, UNPATROLLED NATIONAL FOREST AREA ZONE and IT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK
  • DO NOT ENTER any restricted areas or work zones.
  • This is a partial list. read full Advisory here!

Unusually Cold Temperatures

To reduce risk of frostbite or hypothermia, cover exposed skin, dress in protective clothing layers, take frequent warming breaks. Watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

Deep Snow Advisory

Deep Snow & Tree Well Advisory

Snow suffocation hazard due to deep snow immersion and/or tree wells may exist

  • AVOID TREE WELLS and KEEP YOUR PARTNER IN SIGHT
  • NEED HELP? Contact Mt. Baker Ski Patrol
  • (360) 300-7070
  • Call on Personal Radio: Channel 9 Code 11
  • Be advised: Your transmission is affected by terrain
Icy Condtions Advisory

Icy Conditions Advisory

  • USE EXTRA CAUTION
  • ICY CONDITIONS
  • Icy Conditions Exist In Some Areas
  • SKI & RIDE WITH EXTRA CAUTION & CARE ON STEEP & SHADED AREAS
Ski Area Closed Advisory

SKI AREA CLOSED

  • FACILITIES ARE NOT MAINTAINED FOR PUBLIC USE.
  • MOUNTAIN ENVIRONMENT HAZARDS EXIST AT ALL TIMES THAT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
  • The ski area exists on National Forest land and should you choose to enter this area, you are entering UNCONTROLLED, UNPATROLLED NATIONAL FOREST AREA ZONE and IT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
  • TREAT THIS AREA LIKE BACKCOUNTRY AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING USING SAFE TRAVEL AND ASSESSMENT SKILLS AND HAVING APPROPRIATE RESCUE EQUIPMENT AND PARTNER.
  • 1. AVALANCHES may occur at any time, EXTREME CLIFF AREAS and other mountain hazards exist at all times and hazards are not marked.
  • 2. The ski area is NOT CONTROLLED FOR AVALANCHES.
  • 3. NO SKI AREA MEDICAL RESPONSE PERSONNEL OR SKI PATROL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.
  • 4. Access to any areas is STRICTLY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
  • 5. No bicycle or motorized vehicle access at any time.
  • 6. Ski area work may be performed at any time, including but not limited to heavy equipment use, vehicle operation, chairlift maintenance operations, ski run maintenance and facility maintenance. It is your responsibility to stay away from, and not interfere with, any equipment, machinery, or work zones. DO NOT ENTER any restricted areas or work zones.
  • 7. 911 and/or Search and Rescue response is typically a minimum of hours away at best. Emergency response may not be possible.
  • 8. Signage is not in place.
Variable Snow Base Advisory

Variable Snow Base Advisory

  • USE EXTRA CAUTION
  • VARIABLE SNOW BASE
  • Possible creeks, rocks, sticks, sudden variations in terrain, snow, sub-terrain, steep dips and other hazards and obstacles
  • Snow base and conditions vary with elevation, terrain, aspect and usage.
  • SKI & RIDE WITH EXTRA CAUTION & AWARENESS
Advisory_Extreme

NWAC Extreme Avalanche Advisory

  • Mt. Baker Ski Patrol will NOT RESPOND for rescue
  • BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE DANGER RATING
  • 5 Extreme : AVOID ALL AVALANCHE TERRAIN
  • Avalanche danger rating levels are only GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE CASCADES BELOW 7,000 FEET
  • May vary hourly for Mt. Baker backcountry conditions
Advisory_High

NWAC High Avalanche Advisory

  • Mt. Baker Ski Patrol will NOT RESPOND for rescue
  • BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE DANGER RATING
  • 4 High : Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain NOT recommended.
  • Avalanche danger rating levels are only GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE CASCADES BELOW 7,000 FEET
  • May vary hourly for Mt. Baker backcountry conditions
  • Visit NWAC website for full information.
Treewell Hazard Advisory

Tree Well Hazard Advisory

  • Snow suffocation hazard due to tree wells may exist
  • AVOID TREE WELLS and KEEP YOUR PARTNER IN SIGHT
  • NEED HELP? Contact Mt. Baker Ski Patrol
  • (360) 300-7070
  • Call on Personal Radio: Channel 9 Code 11
  • Be advised: Your transmission is affected by terrain