Dust off those skis and snowboards. After snow reached Seattle last week, the mountains have reportedly collected enough snow to be open for business starting this Wednesday, December 1. Details below, but do remember that everything is subject to the weather, so be sure to check the current conditions before heading out. more ›

Meteorologists are predicting heavy snow this Friday for north King County and the mountains, and if that isn't worthy of an exclamation point then we're not sure what is! Snow means, of course, sitting inside with peanut butter hot chocolate and thinking dreamy philosophical thoughts about individuality (snowflakes, etc.) or James Bond (On Her Majesty's Secret Service). It means reading Snow by Orhan Pamuk, A Winter's Love by Madeleine L'Engle, or The Winter Of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck. more ›

We spent last weekend at Crystal Mountain Resort, and we picked up a few tips from the staff to help you manage the crazy crowds during MLK weekend. more ›

The snow is here, and people are already missing on Crystal Mountain. They apparently hit the backcountry (seems way to early to be doing that, we think), and by all accounts were properly equipped, including avalanche beacons. But shit can go sideways in the backcountry, and "properly equipped" is most relevant if you really know how to use that stuff. We're hoping those lost folks do, and are found any second now. more ›

A friend just emailed Seattlest, gushing with glee that our season's passes to the Summit (Alpental, really) grant us 5 free days of skiing at Crystal Mountain. We'd already written about how the ownership of the Summit by Boyne Mountain (who also owns Crystal Mt.) might be a good thing for mountain bikers. So it sounded like it was already working out for those of us that go mostly to Alpental (due to sheer proximity, especially for occasional drinking night skiing forays) yet like to make the trek to Crystal or Baker occasionally. more ›

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. more ›

This past weekend, while up at Crystal Mountain, we stayed at a friend's cabin about 20 minutes north of the mountain. It is a quaint, rustic setting: no TV, summer-camp style bunk-beds, ever-cozy thanks to a big wooden fireplace and stove. And bats. Well, one bat, to be precise. Our friendly echolocator only made a couple flitting appearances, and we made no efforts to run him out. Given the number of mice we end up removing each time we arrive, this bat has probably got it good in the cabin when we're not around. more ›

We may not have broken the 33-day rain record (though we got some props for sheer volume), but over the past week the temps have been dropping, turning our current non-record-breaking Seattle rain into mountain snow. We only whine about the rain when it isn't making snow up top, so now that the season has finally hit, we'll shut up and slap on the sticks. more ›

Seattlest loves it when winter arrives with a flourish. Just mere weeks ago we were riding our bike either up at the Whistler bike park, or at favorite local spots like Tiger Mountain or numerous trails out off Hwy 410. In fact, barely over one month after a fantastic ride out at the Palisades trail not far from Crystal Mountain, those trails are already covered in snow. This morning while driving to work, we revelled in the sensation of being down here while we know it is dumping up there--a phenomenon that occupied our daily thoughts growing up and during most winters since moving to Seattle, but was suspiciously absent last season. more ›

Like most northwestern snow lovers this winter, Seattlest spent the season glancing longingly at our skis and snowboards hanging in the garage, sighing as we turned off the light and closed the door on the worst season in at least 25 years. Our Big S Pass did time as a coaster while we drowned our sorrows in Snow Cap ale. more ›

Despite some snow over the weekend local ski conditions are "spring-like" at best and many area lifts remain stationary. Check websites or call before leaving the city if you're counting on chair lifts. Be aware of what the conditions are like in the area before hiking up. more ›