Skiers and snowboarders are rejoicing over the abundance of good conditions in the mountains this week after flooding closed all six of Washington’s Cascade ski areas last week.

“The sun is a very welcome sight …,” said Crystal Mountain spokeswoman Tiana Enger. “Skiers and snowboarders are soaking up the sunshine and vitamin D while cruising the … slopes.”

The National Weather Service is predicting a good three-day weekend for hitting the slopes. While there’s no fresh powder in the forecast, temperatures are predicted to be in the 40s.

The Summit at Snoqualmie reports that its snowpack is still in good shape after last week’s storm, with the notable exception of Summit East.

An Avalanche ripped through Summit East damaging buildings in the base area during the storm. Summit East, which typically only opens on weekends, is closed indefinitely.

The Nordic Center at the Summit reopens Friday according to the resort’s website.

White Pass Ski Area replaced the engine on its high-speed quad lift and the lift is now running at full speed.
Crystal Mountain is letting people ski for free midweek until Jan. 30 when they bring somebody in for a beginner lesson.

Expect delays if you’re heading to Mount Baker. According to the resort website, mtbaker.us, the Mount Baker Highway has only one lane open for a mile stretch. Flaggers are directing traffic at the area between mileposts 15 and 16.

However, it might be worth the wait. Mt. Baker is reporting a 130-inch base on Pan Dome.

Saturday is the start of National Ski Area Association Safety Week, which will be recognized at several Northwest ski areas including Crystal, the Summit at Snoqualmie and Mount Hood Meadows. Events include safety tips and discounts on helmets. A neurosurgeon will speak at Summit West at noon Saturday.

Monday, Martin Luther King Day, is one of the busiest days of the year at local ski areas.

(Picture courtesy of Crystal Mountain Ski Area)

The road to Paradise could reopen by this weekend.

Eric Walkinshaw, civil engineer at Mount Rainier National Park, said that will happen if federal highway engineers today determine the remaining roadway is safe.

A 100-foot section of the road on Glacier Hill, just above the bridge over the Nisqually River, fell away last week. The damage was discovered on Thursday as crews tried to reopen the road from Longmire to Paradise.

Walkinshaw, other park staffers and the federal engineers were examining the site this morning.

If it decided that the remaining lane is on solid bedrock, park staff will meet Wednesday morning to discuss how they can get traffic through the damaged area.

Among the options are using pilot cars or using checkpoints above and below the area to alternate traffic through the area. Walkinshaw also said they have to decide whether to keep the road open seven days a week or just on weekends.

“We would need some time to install Jersey barriers, signage, make staffing assignments, so the hope would be to be able to open to the public this weekend,” Walkinshaw said this morning.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monday published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that modifies language regarding existing hunting programs at 76 national wildlife refuges.

Here is the rest of the news release:

The proposed rule has a 30-day public comment period. The service hopes to finalize the rule in time for the early winter and early spring 2008-2009 hunting seasons.

The proposed rule does not expand or create hunting programs but clarifies minor administrative matters such as opening hours for hunter registration and approved weapons for big-game hunting.

Click here to view the proposed rule.

The public comment period closes Feb. 12.

Click here to provide comments online. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Comments also may be sent by mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: RIN 1018-AV20; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203. E-mailed or faxed comments will not
be accepted.