While many around the world will be ringing in the new year attending traditional New Year’s Eve parties on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 31, the White Pass Ski Area will be open for a special night skiing event in East Lewis County.
Skiing and snowboarding on New Year’s Eve isn’t all the ski resort has planned, as a full winter slate of events through April has been released, including the annual White Pass Ski Area Winter Carnival, the Castle Jam freestyle trick contest, the Bantam Cup races and more.
Additionally, there is now enough snow to open the steeps, and the ski resort’s Nordic Center is also open, according to White Pass Ski Area’s snow report. Both the Prog and Ribeye terrain parks were also listed as open.
The snow base depth was listed as variable between 24 and 56 inches on Monday, Dec. 29, though those planning to hit the slopes this holiday week were still advised to use caution as bare spots and standing water still exist in some areas.
“It’s still early season. Coverage is thin in places, so expect variable conditions and keep an eye out for rocks and other obstacles,” the snow report stated. “... Please ski and ride with care. Obey all closures for your safety.”
While there is some more snow in this week’s National Weather Service (NWS) forecast, unfortunately for skiers and snowboarders it’s not predicted to hit until New Year’s Day on Thursday, Jan. 1, with a 30% chance of snow that could turn to rain with the high forecasted at 36 degrees.
The full list of events coming up this winter and early spring is as follows:
• New Year’s Eve Night Skiing and learn to ski or ride workshops, Wednesday, Dec. 31, where starting at 2 p.m., special packages including rentals and ski and snowboard lessons for beginners will be offered at White Pass Ski Area’s new terrain-based learning zone until 5:30 p.m. Night skiing will be available along with tubing until 9 p.m., and the Day Lodge will be open to the public with a DJ dance party. “Join us for our New York NYE Party,” White Pass Ski Area’s website stated. “We celebrate with NYC at 9 p.m. Pacific Time, so you'll still catch first chair on New Year's Day!”
• Night skiing on Friday, Jan. 2, and Saturday, Jan. 3, from 2 to 8 p.m. Ski and snowboard lessons will also be available along with twilight hour snowshoe tours at the ski resort’s Nordic Center.
• High Camp Lodge New Year Crazy PJ theme days, Saturday, Jan. 3, and Sunday, Jan. 4, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to rock their pajamas at the High Camp Lodge, located along the Basin Boulevard ski run.
• Weekly adult ski and snowboard workshops, every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 and March 5, 12, 19 and 26. Registration is available on the ski resort’s website at https://skiwhitepass.com/events/adult-workshop.
• Dick Kendall Memorial Nordic Race, Sunday, Jan. 11, with cross-country ski races between 0.3 kilometers and 10 kilometers beginning at 10 a.m. at the Nordic Center Yurt. For more information and to register, visit https://skiwhitepass.com/events/wa-nordic-cup-race-5.
• High Camp Lodge throwback tie dye theme days, Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, Jan. 18, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to rock their grooviest tie dye gear at the High Camp Lodge, located along the Basin Boulevard ski run.
• The Light Up the Night event, Saturday, Jan. 24, where skiers and snowboards are invited to bring glow sticks, battery-powered lights and even glow suits for a night skiing session from 2 to 8 p.m., with the event benefiting the Wellness House of Yakima.
• Bantam Cup slalom and giant slalom races, on Saturday, Dec. 31, and Sunday, Feb. 1, for young skiers and snowboarders with U8 and U14 classes and the slalom course located on the Lower Roller Coaster ski run. For more information visit https://skiwhitepass.com/events/bantam-cup.
• High Camp Lodge go sports! theme days, Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, Jan. 18, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to don their favorite sports team’s gear at the High Camp Lodge, located along the Basin Boulevard ski run.
• Beer With Friends events, on every Friday starting Feb. 6 at both the High Camp and Day lodges, featuring regional microbreweries offering frosty pints at both ski lodges. Representatives from each brewery will be at High Camp from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., before making their way to the Day Lodge from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The brewery for Feb. 13 has yet to be determined. On Feb. 6, the brewery will be Icicle Brewing Company of Leavenworth; on Feb. 20, it will be Georgetown Brewing Co. of Seattle and on Feb. 27, it will be Bale Breaker Brewing Company of Yakima.
• Retro Night Skiing, on Saturday, Feb. 7, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to break out their retro gear for night skiing from 2 to 8 p.m. and a DJ dance party at the Day Lodge.
• The SheJumps Wild Skills Junior Ski Patrol workshop, on Sunday, Feb. 8, a one-day camp for girls taught by SheJumps volunteers focusing on first aid response to mountain emergencies along with avalanche safety and snow science lessons, including an avalanche rescue dog demonstration. Space is limited and early registration is recommended once the registration link is available at https://skiwhitepass.com/events/she-jumps-wild-skills-junior-ski-patrol.
• The Washington Nordic Cup, on Sunday, Feb. 8, with cross-country ski races for various age groups beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Nordic Center Yurt. For more information visit https://skiwhitepass.com/events/wa-nordic-cup-race-5-2.
• High Camp Lodge Wild West theme days, Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to saddle up in their best western wear at the High Camp Lodge, located along the Basin Boulevard ski run.
• The Ninety Pound Rucksack Challenge, Wednesday, Feb. 18, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to take part in this annual mountaineering challenge honoring the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division’s historic ascent of Italy’s Riva Ridge in World War II 81 years ago, and their post-war contributions to American skiing. Starting at 5 p.m., those participating must check in at the Day Lodge, where they will strap on their snowshoes (or skins) and rucksacks and begin their hike up the Holiday ski run, then up the Jaw Breaker run before making the final ascent up the Cascade run, then skiing back to the bottom. Night skiing will also be available from 2 to 8 p.m.
• The White Pass Alpine Club Reunion, Monday, Feb. 23 and Tuesday, Feb. 24, with the club social scheduled on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Day Lodge’s Sitzmark.
• The annual White Pass Ski Area Winter Carnival, on Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, with the traditional massive snow castle being open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Kid’s obstacle course races will also begin at 11 a.m. both days, and night skiing will be available from 2 to 8 p.m. Also on Saturday, the torchlight parade and fireworks show will begin at 7 p.m. The full schedule of carnival events can be found at https://skiwhitepass.com/events/winter-carnival.
• High Camp Lodge Winter Carnival Renaissance theme days, Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to dress as princesses, wizards, knights and dragons at the High Camp Lodge, located along the Basin Boulevard ski run.
• The Castle Jam freestyle trick competition, Saturday, March 7, where skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels are invited to try and stomp their best tricks on the remnants of the Winter Carnival’s snow castle beginning at 1 p.m.
• The International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association’s (IFSA) Great White Get Down, on Sunday, March 8, where young skiers and snowboarders can showcase their skills and abilities on the Mahre Run, Execution and Lower Roller Coaster ski runs in this IFSA junior freeride competition.
• The High Camp Lodge Prom, Saturday, March 28, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to wear their fanciest clothes and masks for their chance to be crowned prom king or queen at the High Camp Lodge, located along the Basin Boulevard ski run.
• Easter at White Pass, Sunday, April 5, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to celebrate the holiday on the mountain starting at 8:45 a.m. to look for Easter surprises.
• The Party Park Send It Session 2026, Saturday, April 11, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to the Rib Eye terrain park from noon to 2 p.m. to hike the features, lap the park and stomp their best tricks for a chance to win prizes.
• The High Camp Lodge Beach Party, Saturday, April 11, where skiers and snowboarders are invited to sport their beach attire for some spring skiing at the High Camp Lodge, located along the Basin Boulevard ski run.
• The White Pass Ski Area Pond Skim, Saturday, April 18, where skiers and snowboarders can end the ski season with a wild ride across the “picturesque” White Pass Pond behind the Day Lodge from noon to 1:30 p.m.
To view the White Pass Ski Area’s snow report, visit https://skiwhitepass.com/the-mountain/snow-report. The NWS forecast for the ski area can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/5n7hhbsv.
Lift tickets for the ski resort can be purchased online at https://estore.skiwhitepass.com/.
