SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. — Some skiers and snowboarders flocking to the slopes during a holiday week were greeted with less snow than they've seen in years past. But, resorts did their best to prepare runs to be rideable and say they, too, are hoping for more snow in the weeks and months to come.
Guy Lawrence is the general manager for Summit at Snoqualmie.
"We've got lots of guests here skiing and snowboarding, we'd love to have more of course, we're waiting patiently — but not really — for more snow," Lawrence said with a laugh. "But the good news is we have two areas open and we're open for night skiing as well."
As of Dec. 23, snowpack throughout Washington state was below normal. Data from a SNOTEL report showed the snow water equivalent was between 28-74% of normal. Snow water equivalent can be used as a snowpack measurement, as it's the theoretical amount of available water depth resulting from snowpack melt.
In the Olympics, the snow water equivalent was 28% of normal as of Dec. 23. It ranged from 50-61% for the western side of the Cascades.
At Snoqualmie, Summit West has seen 59 inches of snowfall this season. The top of Alpental has recorded 123 inches total with a base snow depth of 60 inches.
Lawrence said the Summit West is open and Silver Fir opens Dec. 29 for the first time for advanced skiing. He said crews have been working each night to prepare the slopes as best they can with the snow they have.
"We love our groomers, they're really making it happen every night, they're the reason we're open to be honest, " Lawrence said. "And they make it as good as they can, but like the rest of us, they need more snow, though they're doing a great job with what they have."
The Summit at Snoqualmie also offers night skiing, and many visitors are trying to get as much time as they can in now that there is a little more snow to work with.
Nicholas Bond with the Office of the State Climatologist at the University of Washington said the state should get some precipitation over the next couple of the weeks, but it may be on the warm side so won't necessarily improve snowpack significantly.