Our own Madame Hooky divines whether it's worth calling in sick Friday and heading for the slopes. She'll conjure your excuse and tell you where to go.

Need I say much? Use whatever excuse works for you--many businesses and companies are just plain closed (most schools are)--so you might not even need one. Ice, power outage, the kids' day care is closed (you don't have kids? it should still work), my car's doors are frozen shut. You're smart creative folks, so just give'r.

And where to go? Wherever you damn well please. There's a Seattle quandry we're rarely faced with: it's ridiculously good no matter where you choose, so just pick one. White Pass probably kicks ass right now (bring cash, though)! Alpental has over a hundred inches for the love of Adad! But if you're really going to do it, get up early and make the trek to Baker. 160 inches and it is supposed to be sunny again tomorrow so it should look like this.