Skiing Near Seattle

When the mountains cooperate I try to get out a handful of times each season. Stevens Pass is my usual go-to — good terrain, the backside stays quiet on weekends, and the drive from Bellevue is manageable.

Crystal Mountain is worth the extra time; it has the best vertical in Washington. Mt. Baker gets phenomenal powder but it's a haul. Once or twice a season I make it up to Whistler, which is hard to beat.