Lee Wolf

Review of Stevens Pass Mountain Resort

I have skied most of the northwest resorts but thi...

I have skied most of the northwest resorts but this was the first time at Stevens, so an unbiased review for weekend skiing: We really tried to like it but it is extremely crowded. At least the lift lines move fairly well, but I repeat...crowded! Front side blue runs are fun. Lots and lots of "advanced(?) beginners" careening down the slopes and as a result the backside was some of the most unrelaxing skiing I've encountered in some time. Probably better when the snow is better. Which brings me to snow - why do they list runs as groomed when they obviously haven't groomed in last 24 hours? That's part of what I'm paying for but the resort failed. Maybe with the large crowds and no new snow they just give up. An odd quirk is that coming in to the base area from the bottom of the runs you either have to walk up a hill or take a short rope tow to get there. I couldn't see that you're really able to ski in there with a little momentum; maybe the crowd blocked my view.