Originally published November 9, 2009 at 2:14 PM | Page modified November 9, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Crystal and Mount Baker to open this week

Crystal mountain aims for a Wednesday opening, while Mount Baker will open on Thursday.

Seattle Times staff reporter

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Time to dust off the skis or snowboards, and make plans to hit the slopes this week as a series of storms plastered the Cascade Mountains with enough snow to open two areas earlier than planned.

Crystal Mountain Resort will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Wednesday under limited operations, and more than a month ahead of last season.

Crystal will have the lower mountain operating with the Forest Queen, Discovery, Chinook Express and Quicksilver lifts.

There is 20 inches at the base of Crystal and 30 inches on the summit, and more snow was expected to fall through Monday night.

Crystal officials also hope to open the upper mountain soon. Lift tickets will run $30 for adults. This season, kids under age 10 will be able to ski or board for free.

The Mount Baker Ski Area will be open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning Thursday under normal midweek operations out of the White Salmon Base Area with all lifts running except Chair One.

"The snow rolled in hot and heavy, and we have more than four feet on the ground, and are looking at another two more feet of snow to fall this week," ski area's operations manager Gwyn Howat said, who pointed out their opening last winter didn't occur until Dec. 14.

Howat expects the area will be in full operation with both bases open by Friday.

"Since this is an early season snowpack we are asking folks to be mindful of sticking to the main and the groomed runs," Howat said.

An adult lift ticket at Mount Baker will cost $39.50 midweek and $47.50 on weekends.

The White Pass Ski Area will decide by tomorrow whether to open on Friday. Stevens Pass is also mulling on when to open their doors. No word on when the Summit at Snoqualmie will open.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com

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