SAM Magazine—Wenatchee, Wash., Dec. 19, 2025—After major storms brought torrential rain and damaging winds that washed out roads and depleted an already thin snowpack, further delaying ski area operations in Washington, four outdoor recreation groups coalesced to provide an update and resources for would-be travelers to the state’s mountains ahead of the busy holiday period.Mission Ridge

The joint memo released by the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, Recreate Responsibly Washington, Northwest Avalanche Center, and Big Tent Outdoor Recreation Coalition warns visitors to expect the need to adjust or postpone plans due to access limitations and changing conditions as areas continue to recover from previous storm damage and as another multi-day storm cycle is expected to bring feet of snow to the mountains.  

“Recent storms have significantly altered winter travel and recreation conditions across Washington,” the joint memo said. With the expected snowfall, “some winter recreation opportunities may improve. However, access, conditions, and services will vary widely, and multiple mountain highways and access roads remain closed or subject to closures, delays, and travel restrictions.”

“Winter recreation organizations urge the public to plan conservatively, stay informed, and make decisions based on current access, conditions, and forecasts,” the memo continued.

The message from these organizations serves to encourage people to be judicious about their travel and recreation plans to avoid getting into hazardous situations that might pull already stretched-thin resources away from recovery and mitigation work. Several roads and highways remain closed and or restricted.

The snow situation, at least, is improving, though. Mission Ridge was able to make snow this week and reported a foot of natural snow up high and 6-9 inches on the lower mountain yesterday. The ski area is hoping to open this weekend but hasn’t confirmed plans as of this writing. Crystal Mountain announced plans to open Saturday with limited terrain. The Summit at Snoqualmie reported that it doesn’t have enough snow to open this weekend, but the outlook is promising for next week. 

Stevens Pass, which reported 17 inches of rain and, like most Washington ski areas, hadn’t yet opened for the season due to lack of snow, posted an update to social media today about road access and snow conditions. The resort will not be able to open this weekend due, at least in part, to limitations of both. 

Mt. Baker’s latest update on Thursday said if the highway to the ski area is reopened, then it would be able to host season pass holders this Saturday and open to the public on Sunday. But people going around the road closure is not helping crews’ efforts to improve damage to the Mt. Baker Highway—an example of the behavior the joint memo aimed to address.