The chairs are simply named Chair 1, Chair 2, and so on, and if you’re used to big resort lifts, you might be surprised at the lack of elevation gain. Some chairs don’t have safety bars, none have footrests, and at one point, one chair crosses right over another! Run signage is not always clear or covered in fresh snow. While a lack of beginner runs makes it less than ideal for those who prefer easy greens or corduroy blues, Chairs 2 and 3 are amenable for beginners, and lessons are available for all levels. We spent much of our time riding off Chairs 7 and 8 on the blue runs of White Salmon, Daytona and Nose Dive. The easiest green runs are off Chair 2, located on the other side of Panorama Dome. Mt. Baker can get very, very busy on weekends, especially on powder days and holidays, with limited parking lots filling up early. That said, even on a weekend, the longest we waited for any chair was about 4 minutes, and there were no line-ups to purchase lift tickets. Compare that to Whistler!
Visiting during the week is a completely different affair, with line-ups being non-existent. It will feel like you have the whole mountain to yourself. Hot meals and beverages are available at the Heather Meadows and White Salmon Day Lodges, as well as the Raven Hut mid-mountain lodge. The atmosphere throughout is festive, as folks dry their gear above the fireplace, and someone plays a honky-tonk piano. Mt. Baker often gets described as being “old-school” or “skiing as it used to be.” No restaurants, no glitzy resorts, weak, if any, cell signal, no ATMs, no shopping, and no RFID chip passes – just friendly staff, wild terrain, and so much snow.