
Mission Ridge
2,000 acres, 53 runs near Wenatchee. Washington's sunniest resort, dry powder, Indy Pass.
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.
Mission Ridge spreads across 2,000 acres (809 hectares) above Wenatchee on the dry east side of the Cascades, with 53 runs from a 4,570 ft (1,393 m) base to a 6,820 ft (2,079 m) summit. That makes a vertical of 2,250 ft (686 m). The difficulty split is 8% beginner, 43% intermediate, 36% advanced and 13% expert, which suits skiers who like steady blues and blacks. Six lifts handle the mountain, and Chair 2 alone serves more than half of the terrain, so most laps start from the same spot.
Bomber Bowl is the signature groomed cruiser, named after a 1944 B-24 training flight wreck. For something steeper, the Ka Wham Chutes and Squirrel Chute offer tree shots, while Sitkum, Chak Chak and Sunspot add further variety, and the Windy Saddle and Microwave Tower areas lead to bowl terrain. Intermediates can lap the fast chair all day, and advanced skiers have enough chutes and bowls to stay busy. It works well for a Seattle weekend or a central Washington local who prefers dry snow and open slopes.
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.
Daily snow reports at Mission Ridge go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
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.
Hotels and lodges near Mission Ridge, powered by Stay22.

The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.

A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.

Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.

Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.

Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.

Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.

Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.

Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 4, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Mission Ridge typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from US$39, with peak rates up to US$119.
Experience Mission Ridge's 55 trails across 2,000 acres where desert meets mountains with 2,250 feet of vertical. Located 12 miles from Wenatchee with dynamic pricing, sunny skiing, and wide open bowls plus tree skiing.
Buy passYoung adult lift tickets at Mission Ridge provide access to 2,000 acres with dynamic pricing and diverse terrain. Perfect for college-age skiers experiencing sunny skiing where desert meets mountains.
Buy passChildren's lift tickets at Mission Ridge offer access to family-friendly skiing with excellent children's programs and diverse terrain. Experience sunny skiing and wide open bowls with excellent learning terrain.
Buy passActive duty military, Ready Reserve, and disabled veterans receive discounted lift tickets at Mission Ridge with valid ID verification. Experience sunny skiing where desert meets mountains with dynamic pricing.
Buy passMission Ridge night skiing provides 4 PM to closing access to lighted terrain from January 1st through February 28th on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. Experience unique night skiing in Central Washington.
Buy passMission Ridge season passes provide unlimited access to 2,000 acres with sunny skiing and diverse terrain. Experience where desert meets mountains with wide open bowls, tree skiing, and 2,250 feet of vertical.
Buy passMore Mission Ridge intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.