Alpental Mountain marked its highly anticipated opening day on January 7, inviting skiers and snowboarders to experience the thrill of the slopes after a delayed start to the season. The opening came amidst a challenging backdrop, as Stevens Pass was closed due to widespread power outages caused by heavy winter conditions.
According to the resort's mountain report, Alpental received a substantial 12 inches of fresh snow in a mere 24 hours, following a Winter Weather Warning that remained in effect until late afternoon. This bountiful snowfall contributed to the excitement among winter sports enthusiasts eager to taste the powder. On opening day, 17 out of 19 trails were reported open, along with the unveiling of the newly renovated Edelweiss Triple chairlift.
"It's just good to be back out here," said Kassidy Grindorff, a skier who was among the first to enjoy the snow. "Support your local mountains, and hit up the coffee shops along the way."
Grindorff and her friends were originally heading to Stevens Pass, but they were rerouted due to the closure. Jaime Eltit, another skier, also found himself making the switch to Alpental. "I thought it would've been a lot busier because it was opening day, so I was pleasantly surprised it was not very busy," he said, expressing relief at the situation.
Reports from the mountain showed nearly a foot of snow at the base of Alpental, increasing to about 18 inches at the summit. The conditions were a welcome surprise, especially for snowboarders like Kristen Baker, who commented, "I'd say it's mostly powder, especially up towards the top. At the lower levels, there's some trees poking out still."
The snow quality delighted skiers and snowboarders who had been awaiting their chance to glide down the slopes. "It was honestly my first ever semi-deep powder day," said Carson Griego, reflecting on the fun of navigating the powdery terrain. "Learned my lesson a couple times but tons of fun. Definitely worth it."
Alpental's delayed opening comes in the wake of Summit West's initial opening for the season, which occurred about two weeks earlier. Just days before, Stevens Pass had its access restored following the reopening of Highway 2, yet unforeseen weather circumstances led to its unexpected closure just as the ski season was in full swing.
Griego expressed cautious optimism for the remainder of the season: "It's been a rough start to the season so far, so hopefully we get some more [snow] as these next couple weeks go on."
The new chairlift at Alpental is not only a feature for skiers but also aids in avalanche mitigation efforts, according to resort officials. As the season progresses, they indicated that more trails and chairlifts would open, enhancing the overall experience for winter sports lovers.
Despite starting later than many had hoped, the enthusiasm on the mountain was palpable among those fortunate enough to be there. "Any day on the mountain is a good day, so can't complain," said Eltit, summing up the spirit of a community ready to embrace the winter season once again.