What's the lowdown on the PNW?

[burrito]

Morning, mags. I'm currently interviewing for a new gig that would require relocation to Seattle, and, without jinxing myself and putting the cart before the horse, it's looking like an opportunity that might be too good to pass up should I get an offer. That said, I've barely spent any time in that part of the world aside from one trip each to Whistler and Red Mountain. So what's the lowdown on the PNW mountain scene - terrain, accessibility, etc.?

I'm excited about the opportunity to escape the overcrowded madness that has become California, Utah, and Colorado where all of my riding days have been spent over the past few seasons (though I would dearly miss Mammoth), and the thought that a single day's drive could get me to Revelstoke is incredibly juicy.

What have been your experiences in the area, positive and negative?

[Norseman]

broad question is broad

you won't escape the crowds here without touring or skiing select midweek days

sometimes it rains

sometimes it snows more than anywhere in the world

the mountains are fkn sick and huge

mtn access is spotty

get creative and it's an excellent area to be a skier

observe the regional threads for more depth

[Buster Highmen]

I shouldn't answer, things have changed, especially in the crowding department.

[SkiLyft]

Seattle is great, don’t look elsewhere in WA. Spokane is shitty and full of homeless.


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[burrito]

broad question is broad

Broad answers are perfectly acceptable for broad questions. Thank ya much.

[ridinshockgun]

It only rains, it is expensive and crowded, and the closest place to ski is Tahoe.

[Huskier]

Seattle is great, don’t look elsewhere in WA. Spokane is shitty and full of homeless.


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And meth. Don't forget meth.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Is it the good blue glass?

[Buster Highmen]

Broad answers are perfectly acceptable for broad questions. Thank ya much.

No.

(but really, there's basically 4 ski areas for a population of around 6 million from Olympia to Everett, not counting Baker. Crowding has equaled if not surpassed California, Colorado and UT. The freeways are fucked, complete lack of infrastructure and ridiculously expensive housing... this is why I shouldn't answer)

[burrito]

No.

(but really, there's basically 4 ski areas for a population of around 6 million from Olympia to Everett, not counting Baker. Crowding has equaled if not surpassed California, Colorado and UT. The freeways are fucked, complete lack of infrastructure and ridiculously expensive housing... this is why I shouldn't answer)

Well that's a bummer to hear, but the whole point of this was to possibly rid myself of some blissful ignorance. Gracias.

[Buster Highmen]

That said, as the knowledgeable Knorseman hinted, the mountains are amazing and if one can time it between the crowds like at night or an underreported weekday, it's awesome.

[alfajores]

Great year to move to the PNW

[burrito]

Great year to move to the PNW

I was thinking the same thing after seeing the La Niña predictions.

[garyfromterrace]

That said, as the knowledgeable Knorseman hinted....

Do you mean Gnarseman?!
hahaha, I kill me!

[Norseman]

4 gnarsemen ride

Gary, come visit again. And I want to bum your couch.

[garyfromterrace]

4 gnarsemen ride

Gary, come visit again. And I want to bum your couch.

Oh man! I want, but have been saving my shekels for JH summit. 22/23 though will see a new camping rig with Rd tripping a primary objective. Couch always available for you Gnarse.
Hahahaha. Nailed it again. Hahaha.

[romeo tango]

.
its nice up here ....
there's a few dickheads
i think they're
easy to spot
.

[shafty85]

I was thinking the same thing after seeing the La Niña predictions.

I wouldn't personally move somewhere long-term based on the forecast for a single season, but that's just me and our situations are likely different. From the Canadian side, resorts here are also becoming more and more crowded. Not sure the last time you were in Revy or Whistler but they are slammed on weekends where it snows - the same can likely be said for everywhere now. The days of empty resorts are likely a thing of the past for most places and people.

[DanoT]

I wouldn't personally move somewhere long-term based on the forecast for a single season, but that's just me and our situations are likely different. From the Canadian side, resorts here are also becoming more and more crowded. Not sure the last time you were in Revy or Whistler but they are slammed on weekends where it snows - the same can likely be said for everywhere now. The days of empty resorts are likely a thing of the past for most places and people.

At least with Revy on a powder morning most of the crowd has gone home or hiking by 11.

[brutah]

Western Washington generally has steeper terrain and shittier but more snow than Colorado and Utah. Similar to mammoth/Tahoe I'd imagine. The season is longer in Washington and often times endless. Skiing a volcano is an unique experience that in the US can only be experienced in Cascadia. (Hopefully you skied Shasta/lassen during your time in CA) It rains in Washington (even Eastern) way more than CO/UT/WA and the mountains are generally not as high as Colorado/Utah so the chance of mountain rain is higher. There's likely going to be times with bad wildfire smoke in the summer. The PNW has a cool regional vibe that's better experienced than described.

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[burrito]

I wouldn't personally move somewhere long-term based on the forecast for a single season, but that's just me and our situations are likely different. From the Canadian side, resorts here are also becoming more and more crowded. Not sure the last time you were in Revy or Whistler but they are slammed on weekends where it snows - the same can likely be said for everywhere now. The days of empty resorts are likely a thing of the past for most places and people.

Oh definitely. If I took that mentality I would have moved to and from California a half-dozen times in the past 10 years with the new boom-or-bust cycle winters seem to be on here. Just saying there's nothing like an epic snow year to welcome you to a new part of the country.

Bummer to hear about the Canadian spots, but I agree that's pretty much resort skiing these days. I've luckily been able to avoid weekends most of the past few years by hoarding spring, summer, and fall PTO for storm-chasing winter weekdays. Hopefully that will remain the same.

[SkiLyft]

Haha; I really hope you are not judging all the “Canadian resorts” based on Revy and Whistler… but carry on.


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[Squash]

Unf.

[k2skier112]

Morning, mags. I'm currently interviewing for a new gig that would require relocation to Seattle, and, without jinxing myself and putting the cart before the horse, it's looking like an opportunity that might be too good to pass up should I get an offer. That said, I've barely spent any time in that part of the world aside from one trip each to Whistler and Red Mountain. So what's the lowdown on the PNW mountain scene - terrain, accessibility, etc.?

I'm excited about the opportunity to escape the overcrowded madness that has become California, Utah, and Colorado where all of my riding days have been spent over the past few seasons (though I would dearly miss Mammoth), and the thought that a single day's drive could get me to Revelstoke is incredibly juicy.

What have been your experiences in the area, positive and negative?

The PNW is a lot larger than Seattle. Nor Cal, OR, ID, MT...

[burrito]

The PNW is a lot larger than Seattle. Nor Cal, OR, ID, MT...

Um…no shit. Unfortunately quantum physics has not advanced to the point where I can live in all those places at once, but in the hypothetical situation where I relocate specifically to Seattle for this job I’m curious about anywhere and everywhere in the area - hence why I’m asking broad questions.