Outdoors

POSTED: Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Optimism abounds at Mt. Baker Ski Area for holiday weekend opening

Duncan Howat stood at the base of Chair One at Mt. Baker Ski Area on Wednesday, Nov. 19, surrounded by patches of snow and eyeing a mountain covered with "splotchy" amounts of skiable terrain.

Still, the longtime general manager of the ski area remained optimistic Whatcom County's ski hill would open in time for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Howat's optimism was tied to a storm front expected to hit the area late this week, with the potential to dump 16 to 24 inches of snow on the mountain by Monday afternoon.

"We expect that to be hugely different by Saturday morning," Howat said of the current lack of snow at Mt. Baker during a phone interview.

Howat said his gut feeling is that Mt. Baker will be able to open on Friday, Nov. 28.

The ski hill needs about 20 to 36 inches to allow a limited opening, though the type of snow that falls is paramount. Howat said 18 to 20 inches of heavier, wet snow on the mountain's base could be enough for him to set an opening day and set his crew about taking care of last-minute duties. Boundaries must be lined and runs must be groomed.

The daily hum of chairlifts is definitely a good sign, Howat said. As the season approaches, the lifts are run each day, up from weekly runs during the summer months. All eight chairlifts, including the new Chair One, have been inspected by the state and deemed safe, Howat said.

"They're constantly checked," Howat said. "Like any decent machinery, if it just sits moisture accumulates ... They have to be kept warm and they have to be kept functioning."

The new Chair One at Panorama Dome - a $1.7 million Dopplemayr CTEC quad lift - likely will be the most noticeable change at the ski area for the upcoming season. But the area's day lodges have been updated, Howat said, including new cashier systems that will move people through lines more quickly.

Season pass sales, which have roughly matched last year's record-setting mark, suggest there's plenty of excitement, Howat said.

"We work hard to keep our prices down so families can afford to ski here," Howat said.

Of course, what's needed first is snow, arguably the mountain's finest asset. And nothing is certain until Mother Nature decides to play along, but Howat said the Mt. Baker crew is on edge and waiting.

"It is exciting," Howat said. "It's what we work the whole summer getting ready for."