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Visitor reviews for Mount Baker Ski Resort

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• February 09, 2012
  mike hill from Canada
  

  Just spent a couple weeks at Baker. Busy and tracked fast on the good days. Great terrain but tons of good riders eat it up quick.
  Heard about their new snow forecast? Where everyone else uses NWAC (nw avy center) Baker now has GwenWAC - the Howats own interpretation of the forecast. It's always gonna snow more and be colder than anywhere else - so get on up here and spend $$ in our new lodge cause its actually raining.

• Mount Baker Ratings

  Based on 13 votes. Vote

  Access: 2.8 (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Mount Baker.	Public Transport: 1.6 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Mount Baker, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 3.2 (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.	Accommodation: 1.5 (1) No places to stay in/near Mount Baker, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 1.6 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 1.0 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Mount Baker.
  Ski in/Ski out: 1.2 (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.	Childcare: 1.9 (1) There are no child care facilities at Mount Baker, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 3.8 (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Mount Baker is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 1.0 (1) Mount Baker relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
  Snow Grooming: 2.8 (1) There are no snow groomers at Mount Baker, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Mount Baker are groomed daily.	Shelter: 2.4 (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Mount Baker is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 1.1 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Mount Baker, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.	Regional rating: 4.2 (1) Mount Baker usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
  Lift Staff: 3.3 (1) The staff at Mount Baker are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Mount Baker are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 3.8 (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
  Ski Schools: 2.2 (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.	Hire and Repairs: 3.1 (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
  Variety of pistes: 3.7 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Mount Baker has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 2.7 (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
  Intermediates: 3.2 (1) No intermediate terrain at Mount Baker, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 3.8 (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
  Snow Park: 1.9 (1) Not even a kicker at Mount Baker, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 3.3 (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
  Cross-country: 1.7 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Mount Baker, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 1.3 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Mount Baker has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 2.7 (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.	Eating: 2.7 (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
  Apres-Ski: 1.8 (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.	Other Sports: 1.1 (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
  Entertainment: 1.5 (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.	Winter Walks: 1.6 (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
  Ski Pass Value: 3.5 (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.	Value (National): 3.5 (1) Overall, Mount Baker is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
  Value (Global): 3.6 (1) Overall, Mount Baker is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

  Based on 13 votes. Vote

• December 23, 2011
  BT from United States
  

  All you people who are talking 'bout Baker doesn't have enough resort features and it's rustics, no daycare. You can just stay at your big resorts because that's what makes it Baker. Locals who love to get face shots. So you can stay on your gondolas and groomed runs if you don't like steep and deep and if you wanna ride it, come with a positive attitude and be smart.

• November 15, 2011
  Zach from United States
  

  This is the gnarliest mountain in Washington. Tons of sick terrain, fresh pow dumps and the friendly vibe makes it a sweet place to ski. Small local mountains are the places to be at Whistler and Jackson Hole are dope but Baker is there if you want to ski for real. The world record for annual snow fall is a definite indication of the 'epicness' of this mountain.

• October 26, 2011
  Jordan from United States
  

  Mt Baker is a World Class Ski and Snowboard Mountain, and by that I don't mean a world class resort. People go here to ski and snowboard, not to sit in the lunch room and complain about the runs! And if 2000 vertical feet isn't enough, go back up and start again because with the short lines there's still tons of powder left...and it is POWDER!

• October 17, 2011
  Gary from United States
  

  Well I have skied a bunch of mountains around the country and I can honestly say that Baker is a fun mountain. However, the lack of amenities, hotels, and what not would make this a much better place. Also getting hit with mid day rain is always a bummer. I never experienced rain in Utah, but still when the powder dumps here there is a lot of it to be found. The runs can be very short but I would say they are longer compared to say Stevens Pass.

• July 17, 2011
  Johnny from United States
  

  Baker rocks. The runs are pretty short but there are great natural features off-piste. It's my favorite mtn and I like the relaxed atmosphere and not having hotels and condos is a huge plus. The only problem as of late is all the Canadians coming down to hit it. It used to be a locals only mountain because it's a dead end road, but now all these Canadians (nothing against them, basically everyone I've met is really nice) just make the lines longer and chew up the powder quicker.

• March 25, 2011
  Mike P & son Dominic from United States
  

  The best and simple way to describe Mount Baker is it is a "Skier's or snowboarders mountain". If you go for the skiing or snowboarding, Baker is the place to go. My kids learned to snowboard there, now that's the only place they want to go. Everything else is mediocre to them.

• March 20, 2011
  John H from United States
  

  Meh, it's ok. It's kind of a low budget operation and it's quite the drive from Seattle. But you'll be rewarded for your troubles with smaller crowds and often more snow. Definitely not a beginners mountain, though.

• March 18, 2011
  Kyle Sanderson from United States
  

  Mt. Baker is horrible stay away! Just kidding - Mt. Baker is fantastic, all the negative reviews make me laugh. It's a little hardcore and doesn't have any amenities but if you're trying to ride hard it's heaven. The amount of natural terrain in-bounds is incredible: cliffs and natural wind lips everywhere. You can hike for 15 minutes and build the biggest kicker you've ever seen. It's not beginner friendly but if you're a softy stay home! Everybody is complaining about problems opening up due to heavy snowfall but do you realize the liability if people started dying in-bounds?!?! That's no joke people and with the amount of snow that can fall at Mt. Baker it's real, believe me.

• March 12, 2011
  Rob from Canada
  

  Baker is sick!! no argument

• January 11, 2011
  jon from Canada
  

  STEEP & DEEP!!!!!!
  I have lived in Whistler for 7 years and would take Baker any day. No lift lines(mid-week) and I mean no need to unstrap kind of no lift-lines. So much powder it chokes you. Anyone who has given a poor review; good beat it and don't come back! Baker is the best place I have ever ridden and I cant count the amount of places I have been to. As long as you are not there to learn or to ride park it will be the best 50 bucks you have ever spent.... Don't forget to check the snow phone in case of rain.

• January 09, 2011
  sven from Canada
  

  Alright then Jeffrey, stay in the Rockies. More Baker powder for us!

• January 05, 2011
  Jeffrey from United States
  

  Not specific to Mt. Baker, as this term gets erroneously used for Crystal Mt. as well, there is no such thing as "powder" snow in Western Washington. While snowboards and fat skis now allow one to push through our Cascade Cement, which sets-up about two hours after it falls, nothing that falls on the west side of the range can be considered powder, even on the coldest days.

  Baker frequently gets huge dumps of new snow, but it's moisture content averages 25%, whereas the snow falling in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and elsewhere in the Rockies is typically 8-10%.

  And anyone who characterizes any area with less than 2,000' of vertical as "world class" has never actually been to a world class resort.

• January 03, 2011
  Peter from Canada
  

  Baker is legendary. I've lived in Whistler for a few years now but I'll take a Baker pow day over a whistler one. Maybe I'm just getting over the Whistler scene but at Baker they don't seem to groom as much, leaving lots of pow easily accessible. In Whistler they groom a lot, which is understandable because it caters to all abilities, but I mainly look for powder when I'm on the hill.
  All in all, Baker has lots of gnarly terrain relatively easy to access. It doesn't have amenities like shopping and on-hill lodging, but that's the way people like it. Can't wait until my next trip there.

• December 10, 2010
  Nat from Canada
  

  Mt Baker (Mount Baker) rules! Anyone who says otherwise is crazy or just hates riding steep terrain with lots of powder. I bought a cabin in Maple Falls last year just because I love Baker so much! Steep and deep, just like a mountain should be. Doesn't have a fancy resort? Who cares? I'm not there for the nightlife or the hotels (or lack there of in this case). I'm there to ride powder and have a huge grin on my face! From the looks of most of the locals, so are they.

• December 10, 2010
  Kyle from United States
  

  Mt. Baker (Mount Baker) is awesome! 10x better than Stevens. I would recommend it to anyone. Only downside is that there is no lodging at the base of the mountain.

• December 04, 2010
  Robert from United States
  

  Moderate to advanced terrain at Mount Baker. Frequent delayed openings due to avalanche control. (Perhaps begin earlier or hire more staff?) Frequent chair lift closures due to mechanical problems. Food services attempt to support local food and reduce waste! No accomodations near the mountain.. making it all the more beautiful.

• November 02, 2010
  lucas from Canada
  

  I cannot believe some of the negative reviews I am reading about Mount Baker. I ride there a lot and I will tell you everything good you have heard about Baker is true x10. Without even stepping foot into the backcountry there is a ton of good terrain. In the backcountry at Baker: endless amounts of fresh turns. I live close to Whistler and will ride at Baker any day over Whistler.

  If you're thinking of coming to Baker for a holiday, do it. My suggestion to you is to talk to the locals, ask them what and where is good. Talk to people on the chairlifts, if you see people with super fat skis or long snowboards, they are most likely a local and know the terrain. If you're riding groomers all day of course it's gonna seem like any old mountain.

• March 04, 2010
  Geoff Hunt from Canada
  

  Mount Baker has very little to get excited about. Don't go if you have kids. No day care, only one hour lessons available for kids, no safety bars on chairs.

  Hey Mount Baker does suck.

• February 03, 2010
  john riley from United States
  

  I live in Washington and in my opinion Mount Baker is the best resort I have ever been to. I hear a lot of talk about how much Mount Baker sucks.. well if you're an idiot or a park junky than I understand. But for those who respect the true sport of snowboarding are in love with this resort. The whole backcountry aspect of the mountain is amazing. It has the best most fluffy powder I have ever shredded through in my life! All the runs are awesome. None of them are similar at all, they each have their own style of a run. There are also many runs for people from beginners to extreme adanced. The whole mountain is just awesome. I would recomend Mount Baker to anybody.

• November 28, 2009
  longtime local from United States
  

  Mount Baker is a killer ski area but, unfortunately, in recent years the patrol seems to have a problem with getting the mountian open on time or when there is any significant snowfall. This is a huge difference from years past. Mount Baker can be crowded on pow days and with "delayed" openings the better terrain gets tracked out fast. There is great backcountry which can be accessed from the upper parking lot without buying a ticket: dont buy into the hype or believe all the bull. Many local riders are burnt with the new policies that are in effect now: more $$$$ less mountain. What happened to Gunners Bowl and the Canyon access?

• October 16, 2009
  pow pounda localNW from United States
  

  Mount Baker will no longer have the big park hits near chair 8, they said it's not worth the expense every morning. The 'pipe' isn't really built like a pipe to ride in. It's 4ft tall and it shoots you out so don't come for pipe or park. There is the pinky park but pinky about sums it up.
  Baker (Mount Baker) is not a resort but a ski area, meaning no special treatment for anybody, no lodging, but there is some in quaint Glacier, Wa, 30 some miles down hill.
  This is more for the freeriders and backcountry folk. Don't forget beacon, shovel, probe and your bro if you trek out of the ropes. Some days it is required inbounds, cause it really dumps sometimes, yes inbounds slides, tree wells and deep snow exists most of the season. I've seen 18" overnight in April. So don't get lost and stay out my way.

• February 23, 2009
  Nick from United States
  

  As of this year (2009) all the chair lifts at Mount Baker are quads.
  There are 1 or 2 parks depending on the snowfall they receive.
  There is the Pinky Park at the top of chairs three and four with short and long straight boxes, a c-box, kink box, and a dog house, along with a few jumps.
  When the other park is up, it's off chair eight and has more advanced features like pipes and bigger jumps.

• January 31, 2009
  tankthink from Canada
  

  Mount Baker is a small and rustic mountain where facilities are average, chairs are even a bit scary, and lodging of any kind is limited. Best seen on a clear day as the lifts give you access to stunning vistas.
  Temperatures are warmer than most BC resorts making the snow heavier and a fresh wax suited to warm temperatures is highly recommended. As far as getting there on a clear day it's 2 hours drive from Vancouver; roughly the same from Seattle. Chains or 4WD are also highly recommended and a must on any significant snow day.
  Mount Baker has a good amount of terrain for all levels but with a relatively low peak, limited facilities, and a vertical close to that of Vancouver's local coastal mountains. Mount Baker is tiny compared to the Whistler or Banff resorts. Mount Baker may not be suited for those people who want the big mountain experience.

• November 06, 2008
  Ron from United States
  

  Baker's back country from #1 or #8 rocks, just be careful. I've only ridden the west coast but Baker's in a class by itself. The lifties are head and shoulders above everywhere else, always squeegee the chairs, then stick the handle out and give you a boost to the chair so you don't have to take your binding off! Expect to have your binding on when you come off the chair early season, especially #1, it's on a platform around 100' in the air w/a steep ramp opening day, almost flat late season, which gives you an idea how much snow they get. It can be dangerous even just off the trail groom when there's been a 6' dump over the last couple of days. I've been stuck vertical with just my board sticking out, just off groomed. I'd never ride there without a partner close by mid December to mid February if you go out of bounds-off trail, can't tell how many times I've been buried :)

• August 26, 2008
  Brandon E. from United States
  

  I ride all over the west coast and this last winter I worked at Mt Baker. It is definitely my favorite place to ride. Great snow, little to no lines, awesome terrain and back country.
  One of the least developed areas with a world class mountain.

• April 15, 2008
  JBR from United Kingdom
  

  AWESOME - loads of snow. Dead cheap, amazing terrain variation, great back-country and off-piste and really friendly; not a circus like Whistler and not full of 'I've taken one lesson and think I'm king of the hill' types you get in north short mtns.

• November 15, 2006
  Morgan from Canada
  

  Mount Baker is a great place to ski or ride!! There is tons of terrain and lift lines are short even when the place is busy. The snow is a little heavier than in many other areas (similar to North Shore and other coastal areas) but there is a ton of it. The terrain park is second to none, and if you are equipped properly the backcounty is awesome.

  The only downside is the utter lack of a "resort"... There are no substantial accomodations close by, so it does not lend itself to anything other than daytrips.

  For the low price (less than North Shore), amount of snow and lack of crowds Mount Baker is the best value in my opinion!

• March 06, 2006
  tammy from United States
  

  You probably won't like it, so don't come...te he! just trying to keep it to ourselves

• February 26, 2006
  Barry from Canada
  

  I like Baker better then Whistler. Way cheaper, not beginner friendly and tons of snow. Yes the chairs are slow and scary (no safety bars) but the line ups are short and the riding is awsome. The snow is often a bit heavier, but better than I see in the Vancouver locals.