Mission Ridge
2,000 acres, 53 runs near Wenatchee. Washington's sunniest resort, dry powder, Indy Pass.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
6 Dec 2025
Closes
5 Apr 2026
Days open
120
Annual snow
17ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mission Ridge's summit reaches 6,821 feet, dropping 2,254 vertical feet to a base at 4,567 feet across 53 runs spread over 2,000 acres near Wenatchee, Washington. Terrain splits 43 per cent intermediate, 36 per cent advanced, 13 per cent expert and 8 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 200 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass and Powder Alliance affiliation. Six lifts, including one quad chair and three triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside two t-bars.
Mission Ridge markets itself as Washington's sunniest ski area, with roughly 300 days of sunshine a year, a product of its location on the drier eastern side of the Cascades rather than the wetter, cloudier western slopes. This combination of reliable sun and light, dry powder has built a distinct identity relative to the state's Cascade-crest resorts. Its advanced-weighted terrain suits experienced skiers seeking varied, sun-drenched conditions.
The resort was established in 1966 and has operated for close to sixty years under a series of ownership arrangements, including periods marked by significant financial difficulty. Today, New Mission LLC operates the resort under special use permits from both the US Forest Service and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, reflecting the mixed public and private land the resort occupies.
In 2014, resort owner Larry Scrivanich purchased approximately 800 acres of private land adjacent to the existing ski area, positioning Mission Ridge for potential future expansion beyond its current 2,000-acre footprint of leased Forest Service and state wildlife land. Adult daily tickets run from 69 to 119 US dollars using dynamic pricing, with a season pass from 899 dollars.
2,251ft
Vertical
53
Runs
2,000 acres
Skiable
17ft
Annual snow
Indy / Powder Alliance
Pass
The Terrain
53 runs across 2,000 acres skiable
Mission Ridge spreads 53 runs across 2,000 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 43%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 26 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
53
runs
53 runs across 4 grades
Beginner4 runs · 8%
Intermediate23 runs · 43%
Advanced19 runs · 36%
Expert7 runs · 13%
Time it right
When to visit Mission Ridge
The 2025-26 season at Mission Ridge ran from 6 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 200 inches. This moderate snowfall total, combined with the resort's sunny, dry eastern Cascades climate, gives Mission Ridge a distinct character relative to the wetter, cloudier resorts on the Cascade crest. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the resort's advanced-weighted terrain. Night skiing extends the useful ski day for visitors from nearby Wenatchee. The resort's reputation for roughly 300 sunny days a year makes it a particular draw for skiers seeking clear-sky conditions relative to the Cascade crest's frequent cloud cover.
As an Indy Pass and Powder Alliance resort, Mission Ridge draws some visiting skiers holding those multi-resort passes in addition to its core central Washington base. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's mixed terrain offering. Weekend crowds draw primarily from Wenatchee and the broader central Washington region.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Owner Larry Scrivanich's 2014 land acquisition continues to shape longer-term planning for the resort, even as day-to-day operations remain focused on the existing terrain. Mission Ridge's identity as Washington's sunniest ski area remains its clearest point of seasonal distinction.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
5 Apr 2026
Closes
120
Days open
17 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Mission Ridge, and where to stay
Mission Ridge sits 12 miles from Wenatchee in central Washington, with a base elevation of 4,567 feet and a summit at 6,821 feet across a 2,254-foot vertical drop over 2,000 acres of leased US Forest Service and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife land. This eastern Cascades location gives the resort a notably drier, sunnier climate than resorts on the wetter western slopes.
Wenatchee, known as the Apple Capital of the World for its fruit-growing industry, provides the resort's main lodging, dining and services, along with the broader Columbia River valley's agricultural landscape. Seattle lies roughly two and a half hours to the west across the Cascades, making Mission Ridge a genuine day-trip option for some Puget Sound skiers despite the distance.
US Route 97 and local roads connect Wenatchee to the resort, climbing into the foothills above the Columbia River valley. Winter driving conditions on the approach can include snow and ice, though the drier eastern Cascades climate generally means less severe conditions than the passes further west. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Pangborn Memorial Airport in Wenatchee offers limited commercial service, while Seattle-Tacoma International Airport provides far more extensive flight options a few hours' drive away. Most Mission Ridge visitors are central Washington locals or Seattle-area skiers making the drive over the Cascades rather than flying in directly.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mission Ridge, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Mission Ridge's ski season?
Mission Ridge's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from December 6 through April 5. That window is roughly 120 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Washington, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Mission Ridge have?
Mission Ridge lists about 2,000 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 53 named runs (809 hectares alongside 2,000 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Mission Ridge?
Trail grading at Mission Ridge breaks down roughly as 8% beginner, 43% intermediate, 36% advanced, 13% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Mission Ridge have?
Mission Ridge operates 6 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 3 triple chairs, 2 t-bars, and 1 quad chair.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Mission Ridge?
Base elevation at Mission Ridge is about 4,570 ft (1,393 m), with the summit around 6,821 ft (2,079 m), giving roughly 2,251 ft (686 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Mission Ridge get each season?
Mission Ridge averages about 200 inches (508 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Mission Ridge accept the Indy / Powder Alliance?
Mission Ridge is affiliated with the Indy / Powder Alliance. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy / Powder Alliance, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Mission Ridge lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$39 to US$119, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Mission Ridge before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Mission Ridge so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Mission Ridge have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Mission Ridge. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Mission Ridge located?
Mission Ridge sits in Washington, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
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Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
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1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
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26 Aug 2026