Mt. Baker Ski Area is a ski resort located in Whatcom County, Washington, in the northwest United States, at the end of State Route 542. Despite its name, the ski area is located on the northeast flank of Mount Shuksan.
The base elevation is at 3,500 feet (1,067 m), while the peak of the resort is at 5,089 feet (1,551 m). It is about ten miles (16 km) south of the 49th parallel, the international border with Canada.
Mt. Shuksan in 2003, near Mt. Baker Ski Area
Record Snowfall and Unique Features
Mt. Baker Ski Area is known for numerous challenging in-bounds routes and for the many backcountry opportunities that surround it. The ski area is home to the world's greatest recorded snowfall in one season, 1,140 inches (95.0 ft; 29.0 m), during the 1998-99 season.
Record snowfall at Mt. Baker Ski Area
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Lifts and Terrain
The lifts at Mt. Baker are not currently named but referred to by number. All are fixed-grip quads.
- Chair 1 runs from the Heather Meadows Lodge upper base area to the top of Panorama Dome. There is a midpoint station on this lift, where other riders can catch it halfway down the mountain, allowing for speedy runs on Austin, Pan Face, North Face, Chicken Ridge, and the famed Chute. Also accessible from Chair 1 is the Canyon and the rest of the Chair 6 terrain.
- Chair 2 is located at the Heather Meadows Lodge upper base area. This is a chair for beginners.
- Chair 3 allows customers either to access the Raven Hut Lodge area or return down to Chairs 2 and 3.
- Chair 4 runs from the Raven Hut Lodge area and back up to the top of Chair 3.
- Chair 5 replaced two parallel double chairs and accesses intermediate terrain, as well as the experts-only Gabl's run and the Elbow backcountry area. Near Chair 5 facing towards Mt. Shuksan is prime real estate for incredible views and photo opportunities.
- Chair 6 runs to the top of Panorama Dome. There is no safety bar on Chair 1 and Chair 6.
- Chair 7 is the only chair that leaves from the White Salmon Lodge base area. From it, one can access Chair 8 or the Raven Hut Lodge area.
- Chair 8 is the longest chair on the mountain and features longer groomed runs as well as access to the Hemispheres and Shuksan Arm backcountry areas.
Prior to the current numbering system, lifts at Mt. Baker were known by name.
Exploring Mt. Baker for the first time
History and Development
Here's a brief timeline of Mt. Baker Ski Area's history:
- 1921-26: Mt. Baker Winter Sports Association formed to promote winter recreation.
- 1927: Mount Baker Lodge opened.
- 1931: Mt. Baker Ski Area officially established.
- 1977: Six chairs and four rope tows operate.
- 1989-90: The first quad chair (Chair 7) is installed in the White Salmon area.
Due to the remote location of the ski area - 37 miles out on a dead-end road - it will probably never become a full-scale ski resort with hotels and condos. For starters, there aren't any public utilities up there to support more development.
"We'll improve the current infrastructure, but as far as going off into some new territory and build new chairlifts, that won't happen," Howat said.
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Legendary Banked Slalom
Started in 1985, this slalom snowboard race through the natural halfpipe has evolved into an international event. The Legendary Banked Slalom attracts many professionals from around the world as competitors and allows amateurs of all ages and abilities to compete on the same course over the same period with the professionals.
Filming Location
Mt. Baker Ski Area is often featured in ski and snowboard films and still photography due to its picturesque setting, plentiful snowfall, and the availability of easily accessed advanced terrain. The Call of The Wild was filmed at Mt. Baker.
Operating Season
The ski season typically begins in late November and ends in late April.
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