Mt. Baker Ski Area — Attraction in Area E (Chilliwack River Valley)

This review will be updated as I learn more about the ski area. I've only skied here a few times thus far, and haven't had the chance to explore all the chair lifts and facilities, let alone all the trails. If I have as good an experience to report later as I do now, I'll upgrade my rating. If I have a bad experience like the one person did recently, I'd downgrade it. For now, I'm giving the ski area 4 out of 5 stars because for a fair price I've had fun and been challenged as a skier without inconvenience as a customer, so...better than not. I do wish they had some high-speed lifts, however, since all I've seen so far are slow ones. With only about 1500 ft vertical, that makes for a lot of chair time. I'm a level 2 (II) skier, tending toward a 3 but most comfortable off the black diamond runs. I always spend my first several runs of the year on greens, and Mt. Baker Ski Area has enough green trail space to suit beginners and light skiers, with variety. The blue runs I've been on are diverse and offer plenty of challenge. Plus, there's frequently lots of pow, lots of snow that's often fresh, so whether you're riding a board or skiing, you'll likely get your fill of uncarved powder, especially if you're there in the first hours of operation. One of the best things about skiing is the view, and this area does not disappoint. From the tops of the lifts, you'll be treated to panoramic views of other mountain tops, almost all covered with snow and very dramatic in angles. If you're looking for backcountry adventure, this is a great place to put your skills to the test. I haven't tried the amenities such as the restaurant(s), lodge, rentals and instruction, although I'm sure I'll be taking some instruction soon. But from the way I see people packing in for food, they must be acceptable. I also heard some good jams playing while I was outside White Salmon Lodge, possibly after lunchtime. Oh, I have used one of the dressing and restrooms each time I've been there, and there was someone keeping it adequately clean. I didn't check to see how much lockers cost to rent, but they're available. Prices are one of the biggest reasons people come here from Seattle to Vancouver. At last check, they were only about 1/3 the cost of Whistler-Blackcomb. And, you can park within 100s of feet...

Such a great deal! There's terrain for all skill levels. Decent food, at decent costs. My only wish is for a park to flip around on.

Okay Okay, a detailed review has been a long time coming! I love this mountain, and everything that it has to offer. It is 52 miles up the Mount Baker Highway, and it offers gorgeous scenery the entire drive there. If hiking and other similar activities are your dig, take note of all the trailheads and turnouts available immediately off the road as well on your way. It would definitely be worth your while to make a trip back again and visit those spots! Once up the road, there are two lodges you can start your day at, and both offer different services. The lower lodge is the White Salmon. It offers lift tickets, pro model ski rentals, a large cafeteria, and additional seating on the top level. There are often times bands that will play in the lodge during the day for folks that don't like to hit the slopes. The cafeteria offers lots of hot and cold options. Soups, burgers, and of course a bar are some of the offerings to eat. Of course there is plenty of parking and rest rooms available at this lodge too.

At White Salmon is also the bottom of Chair 7. This chair will take you to just about any other chair lift. It has access to shorter runs that are greens, blues, and blacks. There is also a small (5 or 6 foot) man made half pipe near the bottom of 7. Lookers left of 7 will take you to chair 8. This is primarily blue runs and some black runs there as well. It has small sections of green runs. Lookers right of 7 has access to Chairs 4, 5, and 6. Chair 6 has lots of challenging black diamond runs. Also, lots of cliffs so be careful! Chair 4 will take you far lookers right of the mountain, to a bunch of green and blue runs. Be careful though you can be mislead into some black diamond run areas! Chair 5 is like a shorter version of Chair 8, a bit less access to some areas also. At the bottom of Chairs 4, 5, 6, is the Raven Hut lodge. This is a ski in access only lodge. Although there is a way you can walk back if absolutely necessary. It also has rest rooms, a smaller cafeteria and dining seating area, a bar, and a nice double sided fire place!

Also, there is an upper most lodge you...

Props to ski patrol for their hard work. We came up for a birthday celebration with a group of 8 last weekend 2/24/24. Being new to this mountain (Steven’s is our home) we parked at the lower lot. We were told there wasn’t enough snow and had to take a lift to get to another part of the mountain. We asked where the easy runs were for our friend who was learning and were told chair 4 and 5 were it. On our way to this lift one of our friends fell and cut her knee open on a rock. She was very well taken care of by ski patrol but could no longer ride. We took chair 4 up for our beginner friend. Big mistake. She injured herself and had to be taken down by ski patrol and evaluated for a concussion and could no longer ride. Ski patrol again did amazing. Our group reconvened at the lower lot hours later and we decided to drive up to the upper lot. Conditions were great and there were many daisy/beginner runs. Although I’m extremely grateful for the ski patrol team, I am disappointed in the communication of the employees selling the tickets at the lower lot. A recommendation to move our group to the upper lot would have prevented any of the injures that took place. There were way too many injuries going on this day and my friend in the first aid center getting taken care of, heard a lot of radio calls go out about rock injuries and it turned into a “game” of who could collect the most rocks and bring them back. Maybe close down that part of the mountain? Other than that the 2nd half of our day minus the injured people in our group was spend well and we made...