Snow boosts ski areas

N.S. NOKKENTVED, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, April 5, 2002

OLYMPIA -- It has been a great year for snow at ski resorts in the Cascade Mountains.

"After last year, we all needed it," said Stacy Schuster, marketing director for Crystal Mountain.

With lots of snow, Crystal Mountain has had the highest number of skiers and snowboarders in 15 years, she said.

It would be hard to beat the snowfall during the winter of 1998-1999, but this year the snowfall was above-average.

In 1999, summer skiing lasted from June 24 through July 14 -- the first time in 20 years it was that long, Schuster said. This year the resort expects to open for summer skiing toward the end of May.

At White Pass, the abundant snowfall and north-facing slopes mean the skiers have been coming in record numbers and they may keep coming into the spring.

"We're really thrilled with our snowpack," said Kathleen Goyette, marketing director for White Pass.

By the end of April, White Pass expects to log the highest visitor numbers. Two years ago it was 130,000 visits, but this may top that by two or three percent, Goyette said.

"I don't think we could find anything to complain about," she said.

At Snoqualmie, skier visits are up 17 percent from last year, said Guy Lawrence, marketing director for Snoqualmie Summit.

"We've had some of the best powder that anyone can remember," he said. "It's been a great year."

Mission Ridge sale off

After a record-breaking season, the company that owns Mission Ridge Ski Area near Wenatchee has scrapped plans to sell the resort and will instead operate it next season.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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