Plan Your Trip Pacific Northwest Outdoors - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 83

Another good place on land to try spotting whales is Telegraph Cove, where orcas can
often be seen; visit the Whale Interpretive Centre ( Click here ) here. If you'd rather go for
a super close-up, however, there are several boat-tour companies in Victoria.
Skiing & Snowboarding
A legion of mountainsides dusted with prime powder translates into top-drawer skiing or
snowboarding in the Northwest. Add a down-to-earth, casual and family-friendly region-
al vibe - without the pretensions of many uberfancy resorts (except for perhaps Whistler)
- and you're sure to have a great, laid-back time on the slopes.
The peak season runs from about December to March, with shoulder seasons offering
fewer crowds and the possibility of discount tickets. On Mt Hood you can ski any month
of the year; it's the only resort in the US that offers year-round skiing (though it's closed
for maintenance for two weeks around Labor Day in September). If you want to avoid
waiting in long lines, go midweek.
Backcountry skiing is very popular in the Pacific Northwest. Obviously, you will need
to be skilled in backcountry travel, know how to ski out of an avalanche and be trained in
wilderness first aid (and carry a kit). A couple of topics with great information are Back-
country Ski! Oregon by Christopher Van Tilburg and Backcountry Ski! Washington by
Seabury Blair Jr. Local mountain shops should have recommendations on where to go,
based on the latest weather conditions.
If you're willing to take the financial plunge, there's also heli-skiing/boarding. The
North Cascade mountains are the place to go in Washington. In British Columbia there's
a wide variety. Check out www.heliskiguide.com .
TOP SKI RESORTS
Washington
Crystal Mountain ( 360-663-2265; www.crystalmountainresort.com ; 33914 Crys-
tal Mountain Blvd, Hwy 410)Just off the eastern flank of Mt Rainier National Park,
this majestic ski area offers unparalleled views of Mt Rainier and some of the best
skiing on the West Coast. Located 80 miles from Seattle, Crystal is the largest of
the ski areas with the most accessible peak skiing, a wide variety of terrain and a
reputation for powder. It is consistently rated by ski magazines as a top North
American ski destination.