Mt. Baker Powder Days: Storms, Sunshine and Highway 542
SkiBuds
Mt. Baker Ski Area in Washington's North Cascades is famous for snow, and for weather that keeps you guessing. The SkiBuds crew rode it in January 2020 and much of December 2020, when founder Stephen Phillips flew up to Seattle and Bellingham to work with his friend Michael and, in his words, “get some epic pow days in on Mount Baker.” These notes follow the SkiBuds Instagram posts from those days, with their publication dates.
“Baker was deep this morning”
On January 11, 2020 the account posted a photo of trees buried in fresh snow, with a short caption: “Baker was deep this morning!!!!” Baker powder days look like this: snow piled on every branch, a narrow line between the trees, and a rider almost out of sight.
Deep snow in the trees is also where riding alone is most dangerous. Tree wells, the deep, loose snow around the base of trees, can trap a rider who falls in head first. On a deep day, ride with a partner, stay within sight of each other, and stop to regroup often. Our guide to planning a powder day with friends covers how to keep a group together when the snow is deep.
A flag at Chair 9
The same day, the account posted a photo of a SkiBudsApp flag hanging indoors among banners from snowboard brands: “Thank you Pete from chair 9 for allowing us to hang a flag. Baker is always dope.” Local spots are part of what makes Baker feel like a community mountain. Riders end up at the same tables after the lifts stop, which makes it easy to meet the people you shared a chair with.
December 2020: sunshine, storms and a reunion
The 2020/21 season began on Baker. Early December posts are unusually sunny: “Taking fresh turns on baker” on December 1, “Beautiful sunny days on baker” on December 2, and “The sun is shining and the snow is sliding” on December 3.
On December 10 the account invited people to join: “Crew is reuniting. Come get sendy with us at Steven's and Baker. Leggo, lots of snow in the forecast.” A forecast with “lots of snow” is the best time to line up riding partners. Make your plan the day before, decide where to meet, and have a backup if the road or the upper mountain doesn't open. Our guide to reading snow forecasts explains what to look for. Mt. Baker's own snow forecast is on our Mt. Baker guide.
By mid-December the weather had turned. The December 13 caption, under a photo of a chairlift disappearing into falling snow, was simply “Well baker needs no description other than baker.” A day later the account joked: “I mean no one come here, it's such a bad mountain. It's always raining and there are long lines.” Ten days later visibility was back: “A beautiful day on baker. Nice to finally see more than 3 inches in front of you at a time.”
When Highway 542 closes
On January 13, 2021 the account posted: “Baker was closed today because hwy 542 was closed.” Mt. Baker is reached on State Route 542, the Mount Baker Highway. When that road closes, the mountain is out of reach, however good the snow.
Before any Baker day, check Washington road conditions and the ski area's directions. Our Mt. Baker guide also points out that the mountain has two day-lodge bases, Heather Meadows and White Salmon. Choose one before you leave, and name the lodge and an outdoor landmark in your plan. Friends arriving at the other base need their own time and meeting place. The resort's Bellingham business office is not where you meet for a day on the slopes.
A road closure is a good reason to share the drive. One car is easier to turn around than four, and a carpool group can agree in advance on a backup plan, whether that is another mountain or a coffee in town. Our ski carpool planning guide covers how to arrange it.
Closing weekend
The 2020/21 season ended where it began. In May 2021 the account posted a short clip from closing weekend: “Things didn't go as planned but we still had a blast for closing weekend on baker.” Spending it with family and friends again mattered more than the footage.
Tips for riding Mt. Baker with friends
- Check the road first. State Route 542 is the only way up; check conditions before you leave.
- Pick a base. Heather Meadows and White Salmon are separate lodges; tell everyone which one.
- Ride the trees with a partner. On deep days, stay within sight of each other and watch for tree wells.
- Plan for weather. Visibility can change quickly. Agree on a regrouping spot at a lodge rather than on the mountain.
- Learners have a place too. Heather Meadows has a handle-tow learning zone and the rental hub when both bases operate.
For more from the same winter, read about SkiBuds meetups around Lake Tahoe and in Park City. Other mountains in the region are on our Stevens Pass and Crystal Mountain guides.
Questions riders ask
How do you get to Mt. Baker Ski Area?
Mt. Baker is reached on State Route 542, the Mount Baker Highway, in Washington's North Cascades. Check Washington road conditions and the ski area's directions before you leave, because a road closure closes the mountain to visitors.
Which base should I use at Mt. Baker?
Mt. Baker has two day-lodge bases: Heather Meadows and White Salmon. Heather Meadows has the handle-tow learning zone and basic rentals when both bases operate. Pick one before you leave and tell everyone; the Bellingham business office is not a meeting point.
What is a tree well?
A tree well is the deep, loose snow around the base of a tree, especially after big storms. A rider who falls in head first can become trapped. Ride deep trees with a partner, stay within sight of each other and regroup often.
Photos and quotations come from posts on the SkiBuds Instagram account between January 2020 and May 2021, and from Stephen Phillips's 2021 history article. Dates are the dates the posts were published.