The word “epic” gets thrown around pretty casually in ski and snowboard circles. This year at Mission Ridge we mean it when we say it. Epic. Historic. Amazing. Pick your happy adjective. We have received 124 inches of snowfall so far in November and December, the second highest snowfall total for the first two months of the season since record keeping began 42 years ago.

We received 53 inches of snow in November, and 71 inches so far in December. The mountain received 133 inches of snow in November (33”) and December (100”) of 1996.

What makes this start maybe even a little better than that 1996/97 season:  the way the snow has come in. Our early snowstorms dropped some relatively wet snow, followed by cold temperatures. When the snow settled and froze, it formed an excellent base coat. All our subsequent snow has fallen and stuck (instead of blowing or melting off).

What it all means: Mission Ridge is painted white, with amazing early season coverage that has allowed us to open all of our terrain. The ski patrol likens it to type of coverage we would usually see in February. In fact, in conversations with locals who have skied here since the beginning, word is it’s never been better.

Epic indeed.

Join the fun. Season passes are $299 for ages 7-24 and $499 for adults. Buy online or learn about all the bonuses that come with owning a Mission Ridge season pass.

UPDATE - 12:15 p.m.: We are closed today. The power has been restored, but it would still take some time to get the chair lifts up and running. We will be open again tomorrow.

A tree fall in the Squilchuck State Park area this morning knocked out power to Mission Ridge. We will be closed until at least noon, and possibly all day while power crews attempt to restore power. The tree-fall is in a difficult to access area.

Heavy snow (11" overnight at Mission Ridge) coupled with strong winds likely caused the fall.

Mission Ridge and The Summit at Snoqualmie are happy to announce a new partnership unique among Washington’s ski areas: unlimited free midweek skiing at both ski areas for season pass holders.

Mission Ridge season pass holders can show their pass for free skiing at Summit’s three areas operating midweek: Summit Central, Summit West and Alpental.

“This partnership gives our season pass holders a fun midweek option for exploring different terrain and parks,” Mission Ridge General Manager Josh Jorgensen said.

Similarly, The Summit at Snoqualmie Big S Gold, Unlimited and L-T-D pass holders can show their pass for free midweek skiing at Mission Ridge, as well as a free Sunday “bonus day” lift ticket on weekends when they purchase a full-priced Saturday lift ticket.

“We’re extremely happy to partner with Mission Ridge to extend greater value and opportunity to our collective passholders,” commented Dan Brewster, General Manager of The Summit.

The reciprocal agreement is valid through April 7, 2013, with one blackout period: Dec. 26, 2012 to Jan. 2, 2013. To redeem, simply show your 2012-13 Mission Ridge season pass at any Summit ticket window on midweek days to get your lift ticket. 

Check out all the other benefits of owning a Mission Ridge season pass. Purchase yours online or by calling (509) 670-2351. 

Last weekend's snowfall (up to 12" in places) has given Mission Ridge an excellent overall early season snowpack and coverage area, allowing us to open chairs 1, 2 & 3 this Friday. In previous years we've opened with just chairs 1 & 2 because of limited early season coverage.

Low overnight temperatures are giving us the ability to make more snow and build up base levels on our main runs. The forecast also calls for more snow early Thursday morning. We're hearing rumors that pockets of wind-blown waist deep powder have been found up high. Check our Friday morning grooming report for a complete list of open areas.

We will be open this coming Friday, Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 23-25, with lifts running from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day. Check our limited terrain ticket prices for this coming weekend. And see our operation schedule for the season. We will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only until Dec. 14.

While most or many of the runs those chairs service will be open, we ask that skiers please honor any roped off areas. Some areas still do not have enough coverage for safe skiing & riding.

Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort will open this Friday, Nov. 23. The ski area received 13 inches of new snow over the weekend on top of a successful week of snowmaking, making for excellent early season coverage.

"Our ski patrol has called this the best early season coverage at Mission Ridge in recent memory,” said General Manager Josh Jorgensen.

The mountain will open with Chairs 1 & 2 (the Liberator Express quad) in operation, and possibly Chair 3 depending on additional snowfall throughout the week. Current forecasts call for snow overnight and through Tuesday on the mountain.

Lift ticket prices will be discounted to reflect the partial opening.

Link Transit will have SkiLink running. Check SkiLink for schedules.

Mission Ridge plans to be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. until, Dec. 14, when seven-day-a-week holiday operations begin.