Mt Baker Resort Guide & Reviews Ski Area, Apres-Ski, Things to See & Do Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie
Resort Review
Mt Baker is located in Whatcom County, Washington within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It has a well deserved reputation as one of the best resorts in the world for the amount of snowfall with a record beating 29m dumped on the mountain during the 1998-99 season.
Mount Baker is also the highest (3,286m)and the second most heavily glaciated peak in the North Cascades after Mount Rainer to the south. The Easton glacier is a popular ski touring route taking in ice falls, seracs and crevasses.
Après-ski
The après-ski at the resort is minimal with just the two day lodges to choose from. However, in the nearby towns of Glacier (19 miles) and Maple Falls (26 miles), the nightlife is lively and fun with some great bars with several offering live music.
| Key information (whole area) | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 1093m |
| Top lift | 1551m |
| Family | |
| Beginner | |
| Intermediate | |
| Expert | |
| Ski area (acre) | 1000 |
| Longest run | 1 km |
| Off piste | |
| Cross country | 25 km |
| Season | Nov - June |
| Snowboard parks | 1 |
| Heli Skiing | ✔ |
| Summer skiing | ✘ |
| Glacier skiing | ✔ |
| Babysitting | ✘ |
| Creche | ✔ |
| Apres ski | Minimal |
Mt Baker Ski Area Guide
For a relatively small resort covering 1,000 acres, it certainly has a lot to offer. The skiing is spread across Mount Shuskan that rises to 2,783m and Panorama Dome that peaks out at 1524m. On Mount Shuskan, the chairlift only takes you up to 1551m so for extra vertical, skins are required. Panorama Dome is home to the Heather Meadows base area which is a good spot for beginners.
Beginners
Mt Baker offers some good beginner slopes next to the two day lodges. Once you have mastered the basics, the beginner slopes link easily with the more demanding blues accessed via the chairlifts.
Intermediate
The on-piste terrain is fairly limited with only a handful of slopes. However, if you have mastered the art of off-piste skiing, the deep podwer is great fun and plentiful.
Advanced
Mount Baker is a mecca for advanced skiers and boarders with more back-country terrain than you could cover in a week. With cliffs, chutes and powder bowls the choice of terrain is superb.
Back-Country
Mount Baker offers some impressive ski touring opportunities for either 1 or 2 days taking you up to the top at 3,286m and descending alongside the mighty glaciers. The glacial routes are normally only skiable from spring until early summer. The vast snowfalls that hit the mountain each year typically fill the crevasses by the end of February but after July, they start to appear again.
Mt Baker Lodging Guide
Mt Baker does not have any resort lodging so visitors tend to stay in self catering cabins, chalets or condos in the nearby towns of Glacier and Maple Falls.
Many families opt for the convenience of staying in a self catering vacation rental such as a lodge or condo as this allows more freedom and flexibility especially with very young children and they are great value for money.
Our view on Mt Baker
If you are looking for 5 star hotels and trendy cocktail bars, Mount Baker is not for you - this is a serious ski mountain for those skiers and boarders who love adventure.
