White Pass
1,402 acres, 45 runs between Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. Family-friendly, locally owned.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
13 Dec 2025
Closes
13 Apr 2026
Days open
121
Annual snow
33ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
White Pass's summit reaches 6,549 feet, dropping 2,048 vertical feet to a base at 4,501 feet across 45 runs spread over 1,402 acres at the crest of the Washington Cascades, between Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. Terrain splits 60 per cent intermediate, 20 per cent advanced and 20 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 400 inches. The resort carries Powder Alliance affiliation. Seven lifts, including three quad chairs and one triple chair, serve the mountain alongside one double chair and two surface lifts.
White Pass's position between two of the Cascades' most famous volcanic peaks gives it a distinctive scenic backdrop uncommon among Washington resorts. Its intermediate-weighted, expert-free terrain has built a reputation as a genuinely family-friendly mountain relative to some of the state's steeper Cascade areas. The resort's continued local ownership, unusual among Pacific Northwest ski areas of its size, has kept its focus on serving the Yakima Valley community directly.
The ski area was founded by the Yakima Valley Ski Club on US Forest Service land. In 1952, founders Bob Smith, Bob Vaa and Lars Holmberg formed the club and secured Forest Service permission to clear more than 600 acres for the resort, which officially opened on 11 January 1953, the same period a new road through the pass was being built into what would become US Highway 12.
In 1956, the Smiths sold their share of the ski area to a group of investors, the same year the resort's first chairlift was installed. White Pass has maintained local ownership through most of its history, and in December 2022 a Yakima-based partnership of Andrew Sundquist, David Severn, Dan Plath, Adam Dolsen and Patrick Smith acquired 100 per cent of White Pass Co. Inc.'s stock, keeping the resort in local hands after the previous owners had spent several years seeking a new generation of local investment. Adult daily tickets run from 75 to 95 US dollars, with season passes from 299 dollars.
2,047ft
Vertical
45
Runs
1,402 acres
Skiable
33ft
Annual snow
Powder Alliance
Pass
The Terrain
45 runs across 1,402 acres skiable
White Pass spreads 45 runs across 1,402 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 60%, with 9 beginner runs to find your feet and 9 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
45
runs
45 runs across 4 grades
Beginner9 runs · 20%
Intermediate27 runs · 60%
Advanced9 runs · 20%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit White Pass
The 2025-26 season at White Pass ran from 13 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 400 inches. This substantial snowfall total, given the resort's position at the crest of the Cascades, supports reliable conditions across its intermediate-weighted terrain throughout the season. 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 family-friendly terrain. Given White Pass's continued local ownership and community focus, the resort draws primarily from the Yakima Valley and broader south-central Washington region rather than national destination traffic. Weekend crowds are generally heavier than weekdays.
As a Powder Alliance resort, White Pass draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core regional base. With no expert-rated terrain, the resort's seasonal programming leans toward family and ski school offerings rather than advanced-terrain-focused events. School holiday periods bring particularly strong family visitation given the resort's approachable terrain mix.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The December 2022 ownership transition to a new local partnership has continued the resort's decades-long tradition of Yakima Valley-based ownership rather than corporate consolidation. White Pass's scenic position between Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens remains a defining backdrop through the season.
Season 2025 - 2026
13 Dec 2025
Opens
13 Apr 2026
Closes
121
Days open
33 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to White Pass, and where to stay
White Pass sits at the crest of the Washington Cascades between Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens, with a base elevation of 4,501 feet and a summit at 6,549 feet across a 2,048-foot vertical drop over 1,402 acres. This central Cascades location places the resort along a scenic corridor between two of the range's most recognisable volcanic peaks.
The city of Yakima, source of the resort's founding Yakima Valley Ski Club and its current ownership group, lies to the east and provides the resort's primary lodging, dining and visitor base. Packwood, a smaller community, offers closer services on the western approach to the pass. The broader south-central Washington region combines the resort with agricultural and wine country tourism beyond winter sports.
US Highway 12 provides direct access to White Pass, a route whose construction through the pass in the early 1950s coincided with the resort's founding. Winter driving conditions on this highway can include snow and ice, and the road is well maintained given its role as a major east-west Cascades crossing. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Yakima Air Terminal offers limited commercial service to the east, while Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, a few hours' drive to the west, provides far more extensive flight options. Most White Pass visitors are Yakima Valley locals or regional Washington skiers driving to the pass rather than fly-in destination travellers, consistent with the resort's continued local ownership.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near White Pass, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is White Pass's ski season?
White Pass's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from December 13 through April 13. That window is roughly 121 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 White Pass have?
White Pass lists about 1,402 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 45 named runs (567 hectares alongside 1,402 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 White Pass?
Trail grading at White Pass breaks down roughly as 20% beginner, 60% intermediate, 20% advanced. The mix is balanced enough for mixed-ability groups, so learners can stay on marked green/blue (Green/Blue) terrain while stronger skiers peel off to steeper pitches.
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 White Pass have?
White Pass operates 7 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 3 quad chairs, 2 surface lifts, 1 triple chair, and 1 double 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 White Pass?
Base elevation at White Pass is about 4,501 ft (1,372 m), with the summit around 6,549 ft (1,996 m), giving roughly 2,047 ft (624 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 White Pass get each season?
White Pass averages about 400 inches (1,016 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 White Pass accept the Powder Alliance?
White Pass is affiliated with the 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 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 White Pass lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$55 to US$95, 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 White Pass before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for White Pass 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 White Pass 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 White Pass. 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 White Pass located?
White Pass 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
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
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
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026