Tickets to Ride

Seattle-Area Ski and Snowboard Shops

Where to gear up for a wild, snowy winter.

12/26/2024 By Allison Williams and Taylor McKenzie Gerlach

Snow Bound

What's New This Season at Washington's Biggest Ski Areas

New lifts, new lodges, and a lot more tacos—change is afoot at Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, and Summit at Snoqualmie ski areas.

12/01/2023 By Allison Williams

Basics

How to Learn to Ski in Seattle

The tricks, tips, and techniques for getting into the Northwest’s snowiest sport.

11/30/2023 By Allison Williams

Indie Cred

These Are Washington’s Independent Ski Areas

Small and locally owned mountains offer character—and affordability.

11/28/2023 By Allison Williams

Snow Bound

Skiing Is Stupid. Do It Anyway.

The sport is expensive, hard, and dangerous—but it’s a dreamy way to spend a Northwest winter.

11/27/2023 By Allison Williams

Snow Business

Volunteers Patrol the Slopes at Washington Ski Mountains

The crucial duties of ski patrol, from emergency care to chairlift rescues, are mostly done by unpaid workers at local mountains—even at for-profit resorts.

11/18/2022 By Allison Williams

Snow Plans

The Washington Ski Season Pass Guide for 2022–23

Changes are afoot at the buffet of buy-once, ski-all-winter tickets.

10/31/2022 By Allison Williams

Après Tell

Ski Tailgating Brings the Party to Mountain Parking Lots

The hangout in the parking lot is as important as the powder.

01/25/2022 By Allison Williams

Tickets to Ride

A New Book Goes Deep on Ski Bums

Seattle writer Heather Hansman set out to chronicle the unique milieu of the American snow obsessive; what she found felt universal.

11/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Tickets to Ride

Stevens Pass Ski Area Undergoes Epic Change This Year

The Highway 2 mountain has always been scrappy but significant. This year it’s also at a discount.

11/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Tickets to Ride

The Ikon Pass Goes Big at Crystal Mountain

Washington’s biggest resort raised prices and began charging for parking. But can Crystal hang in the big leagues?

11/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Tickets to Ride

The Indy Pass Is Basically a Skier’s Smorgasbord

In only its third year, an affordable pass option unlocks funky little ski hills around every bend.

11/22/2021 By Allison Williams

Municipal Moguls

Urban Skiing Is Seattle's New Favorite Sport

Because sometimes sledding isn't enough.

02/15/2021 By Allison Williams

DON'T PASS ME BY

We Hope People Fall In Love on the New Stevens Pass Ski Shuttle

The service is meant to alleviate parking overcrowding, but it's the ski bus camaraderie that we're excited about.

02/14/2020 By Zoe Sayler

Let It Snow

The Seattle Met Guide to Skiing and Winter Fun

Winter isn’t a season in the Pacific Northwest, it’s a way of life.

12/18/2018 By Allison Williams

New and Notable

Pacific Northwest Ski Report: What's New, What's Open

Updated Dec. 5: Check the opening status for seven resorts in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.

11/22/2016 By Jack Russillo

Weekend Pass

Backcountry Skiing in the Cascades

With a La Niña year on the horizon, experts are forecasting a winter of epic snowfall. Backcountry skiing takes you to that powder—but pristine slopes come with a price.

11/21/2016 By Allison Williams