For many avid skiers in the Pacific Northwest, this winter has been a bust. Drier-than-normal conditions and a lack of snow have put a real damper on powder days, lift operations, and access to the mountains. As an avid backcountry skier, I’ve noticed the lean conditions and have not made it a priority to get out on snow. The good news is that winter is not over. For our family, with two kids under six, the milder mountain conditions actually made it easier to take our kids downhill skiing for the first time, and it was a blast. 

It’s not too late to make a family trip to one of the many ski areas close to Seattle. A few weekends ago, with light snow and safe driving conditions in the forecast, my wife and our two boys headed up to Stevens Pass Ski Resort. Earlier in the season, historic flooding across the region damaged stretches of Highway 2, wiping out sections of the roadway and shutting down access to the resort for several weeks. Despite a decent snow dump in December, the area has struggled with a low snowpack, causing many people to cancel or defer their season passes. Yet on a Saturday in early February, the atmosphere was lively. It felt more like a party than a place weathering a slow season. 

Rather not teach your kids yourself? Ski school instructors at Stevens Pass handle the basics.

Photo by Delaney Adrian / Stevens Pass Ski Resort

If your kids have never downhill skied like ours, Stevens Pass is a great place to start. Rentals were a breeze, snacks and hot chocolate were easy to grab, and lift lines were smooth and not overcrowded. The bunny hill, with the “magic carpet” ride to the top, didn’t feel too intimidating for Luca, our 4-year-old, even when he fell. And after his first chairlift ride resulted in me dropping my gloves—causing the lifties to stop the chairlift—he was ready for anything.

Ari, our older son, could have skied all day. We knew pacing ourselves would help with long-term enjoyment, so we called it quits by midafternoon. Luckily the fun wasn’t over. We had the opportunity to meet an avalanche dog in training. These dogs are owned and trained by ski patrollers and are there in the rare event of an in-bounds avalanche. They also assist with backcountry rescues and help locate lost items like wallets and cell phones. The little black puppy we met was just a few weeks old and was getting her bearings as an avalanche dog. Our kids loved the puppy and convinced us to buy them a shirt featuring dogs on a chairlift, with proceeds supporting the program. 

The beginner slope and “magic carpet” lift at Stevens Pass offer a low-key place for first runs.

Photo by Delaney Adrian / Stevens Pass Ski Resort

One of the draws of Stevens Pass, and many resorts in the area, is the option to camp in the parking lot and turn a day trip into a weekend. It’s a great way to meet other families, share a drink, and swap ski stories. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards for us this time, but seeing the RV and camper scene in full swing was inspiring for future trips. 

Whether you’re new to skiing or are a seasoned powder hound, snow sports have long been an essential part of living in the Seattle area. It’s what makes living here so unique. Within an hour of the city, you can be sliding down majestic snow, teaching your kids the beauty of winter activities, and be back to the creature comforts of our fine city in no time. Winter is still here. 

Let it snow!