For their own safety, first-time snowriders are shepherded to a specific area near the base of the resort. The terrain
is not, however, the typical, flat, parking-lot variety to which many other ski areas relegate beginners. The trails
are wide and gentle but with just enough of a pitch to challenge novice snowriders. They are real confidence builders.
The Red, Buttercup, and Daisy chairs provide access to these trails and are located to the left of the lodge as you look up the mountain.
December 29, 1969
The Baker lift circuit stretches out over two peaks within spitting distance of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker. Chairs
1, 2, 3 and 6 provide access to the 5,000-foot Panorama Dome, while 4, 5, 7, and 8 service the 5,540-foot Shuksan Arm.
Baker operates two major parking lots, each servicing one of the two peaks. From each lot, the top is just two chair
rides away. Shifting from one peak to the next is just a couple of chair lifts as well.
December 29, 1969
Established way back in 1937 in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests, Stevens humbly began with a Ford V-8 engine, an assortment of wheels and shafts, and a hunk of rope. Total investment for the two young founders from Seattle - Don Adams and Bruce Kehr - was less than $600. Tickets sold for 5 cents per ride, and gross ticket sales
were $88 for the first season. Because Highway 2 was closed during the winter at the town of Scenic, determined skiers would hike the last six miles or buy an 18-cent, one-way train ticket.
December 29, 1969
Lodging:
North Powder - 19 miles away
Powder River Motel offers rooms with queen, twin, or bunk beds, suites with
kitchen, futon, and a walk-in shower; rates $31-$42/night; (541) 898-2829.
Baker City - 35 miles away
Best Western Sunridge Inn offers three restaurants, pool, hot tub, mountain-view or
pool-side rooms available; rates $77-$86/night; (541) 523-6444
Geiser Grand Hotel has deluxe, grand, parlor, and
honeymoon suites available with king or queen beds; rates $79-$199/night; 1-888-GEISERG or (541) 523-1889
December 29, 1969
Baker lies in one of the highest portions of the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by peaks such as the ski area's namesake Mount Baker (10,750 feet) and neighboring Mount Shuksan (9,270 feet). These colossal mounds rise dramatically from the coastal lowlands much like Mount Rainier and Mount Adams. The two towering peaks and surrounding terrain act like a mainline injection of steroids to the local precipitation levels. Area crewmembers spent much of their time during the winter digging out trail signs 20 feet tall, or even extending them. Baker simply gets buried every single year.
December 29, 1969
Most of Cooper Spur's seven trails are rated intermediate to lower advanced. Round About is the steepest run and tends
to get bumped up after a busy weekend. The rest of the trails are groomed on a regular basis and cover short rolling
slopes that are all below the treeline.
Novice skiers and boarders spend their time in the rope tow area. The slope is
nearly flat and right outside of the lodge.
Snowboarding highlights
December 29, 1969
Anthony Lakes is working harder than ever to attract more and more snowboarders, and the effort is paying off as 35 to 40 percent of their skier visits are one-plankers. With tons of natural snowboard-friendly terrain and a multitude of
manmade features, Anthony Lakes is a freeriding paradise. One of the area's signature runs is a natural quarterpipe
known as The Gully. Boarders can access The Gully by turning left from the top of the double chair and following the
signs to Star Bottle. Technically a 50-foot-long snow-filled creek bed, The Gully sports a 40-foot-high wall of snow.
December 29, 1969
What a difference a decade makes. In 1983, snowboarding wasn't even permitted at Big White. Boarders had to hike up the
mountain in order to ride the area's bountiful terrain. Now that snowboarding is a permanent part of the resort
equation, one-plankers from all over Canada are trekking to Big White in increasing numbers. Certain sections of Big
White can now best be described as winter skate parks.
December 29, 1969
Only four of the area's 21 trails are on novice-friendly terrain, but beginners need not feel shortchanged. The novice
trails start at the top of the area's only chair, a triple, and allow novice skiers and snowboarders to explore most of
the mountain. Broadway, Variety, and Road Run are the easiest trails back to the lodge. In addition to being the
resort's longest trail, Broadway's slope is wide and gentle. Variety and Road Run are nearly as wide, providing easy
access back to the base area. First-time skiers and boarders usually use the poma lift, which is right out in front of
December 29, 1969
