The Black Lantern Inn was a familiar place where I ate with my kids, sometimes once a week. My room was well beyond my expectations for a last-minute booking: a king-sized bed, separate living area, jacuzzi bath, and many thoughtful details, including several back issues of Skiing History Magazine to flip through.
Both days delivered clear skies and cold temperatures, with hardly a cloud overhead and almost no wind. Despite the strong alpine sun, temperatures remained below freezing, keeping the snow in excellent shape across the mountain.
Kirkwood has had a pretty solid past few days, seeing 42 inches of snow through the past 7 days, 31 of which fell in the past 48 hours. As of April 13th, Kirkwood has 5 lifts spinning with 45 of 84 trails open to skiers and snowboarders.
Camelback Mountain has achieved a historic milestone by remaining open for skiing and snowboarding until May, marking the longest operational season in its 62-year history.
California's ski season was largely dry and warm, with only 18% of average snowpack by April 1, marking the second-lowest on record. Despite some quality skiing opportunities around Christmas and early January, the overall season remained disappointing.
First snow of the year means SNOW CREAM," "This is literally my childhood," "Ohhhh girlfriend you're not supposed to make snow cream with the first snow of the season," "Hey so I saw an under the microscope of snow and I'd just put that back on the ground.
Both avid and casual skiers know that winter requires preparation. If you want to ski as many days as possible, you must have a game plan. After all, skiing is an expensive sport, so budget is typically one of the top considerations. But before you book flights, hotels, and lift tickets, or decide if you want to invest in an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, you'll need to identify which ski resorts you want to explore over the course of a few months.
The 2025-26 winter saw extreme weather, with the eastern half experiencing consistent cold and heavy snowfall, while the western half endured record warmth and a lack of snowfall.
Mt. Baker is the PNW's snow vacuum. It's close enough to the Pacific to get storm after storm, and the North Cascades do what they do best: force moist air straight up, wring it out, and bury everything in sight. Maritime storms roll in wet and heavy, then pile up fast when they hit terrain.
The skis bring Ore-Ida's unmistakable look straight to the slopes, complete with bold crinkle cut ridges, a golden fry themed topsheet, and a ketchup red background that pops against the snow. They are playful, loud, and unapologetically fun, but this is not just novelty gear. Fischer's involvement means these are legitimate, slope-ready skis designed to perform and not just hang on a wall.
