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Mt. Baker, worth it?

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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
Hey y'all, about to be on break for the holidays, I'm a third year student at Lewis & Clark in Portland, OR. This year we are off until January 19th, I also may not be returning to school next semester as this online shit is wack as fuck and I might do a welding program for a while instead.

Anyways, I was originally going to be taking my van rig all they way down into baja, Mexico and trying to get to the bottom of the peninsula and back to Portland. It was going to be me and my buddy, but we realized 3 weeks might not be enough time for a 4000-mile road trip, especially with all of the stops we were planning on. Not only that but it would result in around $750 just for gas. So then we were thinking of going to the border of Mexico and back through Cali, but now it seems my homie might be bailing on me for the entire trip.

I really want to do some sort of trip in my van this winter break, so I was thinking of driving up to Northern Washington to Mt. Baker and skiing up there for a few days as it is only a 6-hour drive or so. I have a Meadows pass and they give 5 free days up at Baker for pass holders.

Is it worth it? I know Baker is known for their backcountry terrain, but I have minimal backcountry knowledge so I will probably stay in bounds. I also know Baker doesn't have any parks, which is fine if the terrain is fun.

Anyway, I'm just looking for insight from any Baker locals or anyone who has skied Baker before, thanks.
Dec 15 2020 6:03PM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
I could also go out to Whitefish resort in Montana, we get 3 free days there. Lemme know ladies and gents.
Dec 15 2020 6:06PM
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deathcookie
Posts: 1800 - Karma: 1,196
Follow the snow. Also, I've never skied at either mountain, but I could see it being really cold sleeping in the van in Montana.

**This post was edited on Dec 15th 2020 at 6:19:49pm
Dec 15 2020 6:17PM
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Bended_Toenail
Posts: 1417 - Karma: 10,216
I'm a Whitefish local and I can honestly say we are not getting snow on the mountain.
Dec 15 2020 6:29PM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
Also I will probably be doing the trip first week of jan
Dec 15 2020 6:30PM
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LogoWart
Posts: 19 - Karma: 227
I am trying to decide between these exact two mountains because I have a meadows pass. Am thinking whichever is more park orientated I shall visit. meadows jump game is weak af rn.
Dec 15 2020 8:28PM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
LogoWartI am trying to decide between these exact two mountains because I have a meadows pass. Am thinking whichever is more park orientated I shall visit. meadows jump game is weak af rn.


You mean you don’t like hiking shipwreck? Lol
Dec 15 2020 8:31PM
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LogoWart
Posts: 19 - Karma: 227
ScootSkiLyfeYou mean you don’t like hiking shipwreck? Lol

FUCK BUTTERCUP, unless there is absolutely no lift line and the jump landing is as soft as grandma's tits.
Dec 15 2020 8:37PM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
LogoWartFUCK BUTTERCUP, unless there is absolutely no lift line and the jump landing is as soft as grandma's tits.


They need a rope in there. Apparently they used to have a rope tow that they would charge people $20 extra PER DAY use lol. Fuckin Meadows
Dec 15 2020 11:33PM
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musclehamster
Posts: 244 - Karma: 1,205
the substitute for heli skiing in Alaska is MT BAKER! Probably the gnarliest mountain on the planet. haters will say im wrong but im not. place is unreal, its got everything you want. if you arent comfortable in the BC thats chill cause baker has BC inbounds which is real neat. you can't go wrong with baker on a pow day.



just remember, you absolutely want friends on a pow day
Dec 16 2020 12:12AM
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LogoWart
Posts: 19 - Karma: 227
ScootSkiLyfeThey need a rope in there. Apparently they used to have a rope tow that they would charge people $20 extra PER DAY use lol. Fuckin Meadows


those were my first years at meadows when they had the rope tow, but back then I didn't even ride park. I had no clue it cost extra money to ride the damn rope tow.
Dec 16 2020 12:18AM
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Casey
Posts: 7790 - Karma: 23,519
The terrain is really good at Baker. But there is really not shit else up there between the ski area and Bellingham. And being in Washington you aren’t going to know the weather more than a couple days out so planning a trip is just a gamble that the snow gods want to cooperate or you might be getting rained out the whole time. Idk what their Covid protocols are either everyone has been passholders only until this week and I think it’s going to reservation system. So right now it might be easier to ski in a lawless red state like Montana.
Dec 16 2020 12:49AM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
CaseyThe terrain is really good at Baker. But there is really not shit else up there between the ski area and Bellingham. And being in Washington you aren’t going to know the weather more than a couple days out so planning a trip is just a gamble that the snow gods want to cooperate or you might be getting rained out the whole time. Idk what their Covid protocols are either everyone has been passholders only until this week and I think it’s going to reservation system. So right now it might be easier to ski in a lawless red state like Montana.


Thanks for the info, man I do love myself lawless red states tho. Looks like I will probably be sending it to Baker second week of Jan, covid numbers will probably be sky high so idk about their protocol but I emailed meadows about the pass exchange and I think they would treat me like a pass holder idk. Maybe not
Dec 16 2020 12:52AM
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Casey
Posts: 7790 - Karma: 23,519
ScootSkiLyfeThanks for the info, man I do love myself lawless red states tho. Looks like I will probably be sending it to Baker second week of Jan, covid numbers will probably be sky high so idk about their protocol but I emailed meadows about the pass exchange and I think they would treat me like a pass holder idk. Maybe not

I beat a Cowboy at a game of pool in Bozeman once and instead of paying his bet he broke his pool stick off on the table and screamed FUCK as loud as he could. I was like Jesus I am not gonna even try to collect on this.
Dec 16 2020 12:57AM
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OCoffey
Posts: 648 - Karma: 3,693
LogoWartFUCK BUTTERCUP, unless there is absolutely no lift line and the jump landing is as soft as grandma's tits.

Hahahahahahahahah
they did build a pretty big jump under easy rider tho
Dec 16 2020 1:21AM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
CaseyI beat a Cowboy at a game of pool in Bozeman once and instead of paying his bet he broke his pool stick off on the table and screamed FUCK as loud as he could. I was like Jesus I am not gonna even try to collect on this.


Haha for how much $$
Dec 16 2020 1:21AM
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whitenab
Posts: 146 - Karma: 1,631
Baker is really sick. Whitefish is also really fun. There are also quite a few cool cheaper mountains over in Idaho & Montana that you can easily loop through if you go up to Montana and back through Idaho. You're pretty mobile with your rig I would just wait for the weather to make your decision for you. (pending covid closures or stay away orders. Seems best to respect small communities wishes right now)


What are you studying at LC? (I'm an alum)
Dec 16 2020 2:03AM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
whitenabBaker is really sick. Whitefish is also really fun. There are also quite a few cool cheaper mountains over in Idaho & Montana that you can easily loop through if you go up to Montana and back through Idaho. You're pretty mobile with your rig I would just wait for the weather to make your decision for you. (pending covid closures or stay away orders. Seems best to respect small communities wishes right now)


What are you studying at LC? (I'm an alum)


For sure man, thanks for the advice. Just going to have to wait it out and see I suppose.


I am currently studying physics and math but it’s kicking my ass and I am not vibing with school at all. LC hasn’t really been my favorite place on earth so I’m thinking of taking a semester off and possibly transferring to PSU for mech engineering. My grades this semester are shit though. Idk we’ll see.


What did you study?
Dec 16 2020 2:06AM
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TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,438
Baker has been sick so far this year. No reservations required and you can van camp in the parking lot. No park but we have the sickest in-bounds and backcountry terrain in the lower 48 IMO. I'm there most days with fresh snow. Wouldnt fuck around on weekends because everyone and their mother comes up from b ham.
Dec 16 2020 2:29AM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
TheMoostafianBaker has been sick so far this year. No reservations required and you can van camp in the parking lot. No park but we have the sickest in-bounds and backcountry terrain in the lower 48 IMO. I'm there most days with fresh snow. Wouldnt fuck around on weekends because everyone and their mother comes up from b ham.


Thanks for the info man! I’m getting pretty hyped, hopefully I can make it :) . I’ll let you know , will definitely be weekdays, maybe you can show me around
Dec 16 2020 2:33AM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,174
Mt baker has good cookies and pastries
Dec 16 2020 3:19AM
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TreeJ
Posts: 131 - Karma: 665
all of the options you mentioned will be sick regardless. I just wrapped up a solo Baja surf trip this past month in my rig and highly recommend it. Govy to Ensenada for the baja1000 race and then a straight shot up to baker when they announced opening day. It’s been relatively warm down in Bellingham, which has been nice for vanlife but temps should get consistently colder soon. By the time you make your trip in January, it might not make tht bigga difference sleeping up in the lot as opposed to making the commute from further down where it’s a little warmer, but idk this is my first season here. As for the terrain inbounds.. It’s the real deal, just as everyone has previously stated. 22”+ the past 48 hours sheesh who’s riding tomorrow?
Dec 16 2020 4:20AM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
TreeJall of the options you mentioned will be sick regardless. I just wrapped up a solo Baja surf trip this past month in my rig and highly recommend it. Govy to Ensenada for the baja1000 race and then a straight shot up to baker when they announced opening day. It’s been relatively warm down in Bellingham, which has been nice for vanlife but temps should get consistently colder soon. By the time you make your trip in January, it might not make tht bigga difference sleeping up in the lot as opposed to making the commute from further down where it’s a little warmer, but idk this is my first season here. As for the terrain inbounds.. It’s the real deal, just as everyone has previously stated. 22”+ the past 48 hours sheesh who’s riding tomorrow?


Bruh sounds like the dream trip dude! What’s your rig?? Fuck I’m Jelly. Like you said I’m thinkin either way it will turn out okay as long as I can get my van running decent again haha, that’s another story tho. I got a diesel not yet installed sitting at home, depending on how much time I’ve got before my journey I’ll maybe install it. How long you in Bellingham? I’ll let you know if I’m up there
Dec 16 2020 4:34AM
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TreeJ
Posts: 131 - Karma: 665
Fuck, you could even just buy a clapped out Chrysler town&country or sum similar off Craigslist for around a grand and drive that up here for a couple days. then sell it after your trip. That was going to be my plan if I had anymore major issues.

I bought a season pass so I’ll be up there almost daily till at least closing day which is May 5th. Haha just look for the kook in the third gen runner wit Ohio plates fam
ScootSkiLyfeBruh sounds like the dream trip dude! What’s your rig?? Fuck I’m Jelly. Like you said I’m thinkin either way it will turn out okay as long as I can get my van running decent again haha, that’s another story tho. I got a diesel not yet installed sitting at home, depending on how much time I’ve got before my journey I’ll maybe install it. How long you in Bellingham? I’ll let you know if I’m up there
Dec 16 2020 4:52AM
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LogoWart
Posts: 19 - Karma: 227
OCoffeyHahahahahahahahah
they did build a pretty big jump under easy rider tho

I am legit boutta cry, because I dislocated my shoulder and am out for 6 weeks so can't hit an actually decent jump
Dec 17 2020 4:11PM
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ScootSkiLyfe
Posts: 981 - Karma: 5,199
Crossing my fingers but I should be up at baker all next week starting Monday the 18th. HMU if y’all are up there!
Jan 12 2021 6:05PM
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tiger_shart
Posts: 510 - Karma: 1,585
Fingers crossed for cold temps. We just had a gnarly warm storm and it shut the ski area down for the last two days. The mountain is an ice rink rn.
Jan 13 2021 1:03PM
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