Alpine Guide -- A Directory Of Selected Downhill Ski Areas

ALPENTAL, SKI ACRES, SNOQUALMIE, HYAK: (THE PASS)

Low elevation, but unbeatable location, 47 miles east of Seattle on I-90. Runs range from easy to expert. One lift ticket valid on all chairlifts. Free shuttle-bus service among the four areas on weekends.

-- Elevation - Alpental 3,200-5,400 feet; Ski Acres 2,860-3,900; Snoqualmie 3,000-3,900; Hyak, 2,602-3,745.

-- Operating hours - Daily 9:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. All four areas open 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on weekends except Sundays when Alpental and Hyak close at 6 p.m., and Ski Acres and Snoqualmie close at 9 p.m. All areas close at 5 p.m. Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) and will be open until 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve). Alpental and Snoqualmie are closed on non-holiday Mondays; Ski Acres is closed on non-holiday Tuesdays; Hyak is closed Mondays-Fridays, and open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only.

-- Facilities, services - 25 chairlifts, platter pull, 11 rope tows. Food services, ski schools and shops, bus service to area (information, reservations, 232-8182).

-- Child care - Ski Acres and Snoqualmie: information, reservations, 232-8210.

-- Lift prices - Saturdays and holidays: all-day (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) adult $27, beginner $23; half-day adult $23, beginner $20. Monday-Tuesday special $14. Wednesdays-Fridays $16. Rope tows $8. Children (6 and under) $5. Ages 62-69 $14 midweek and nights, $20 weekends. 70 and older free.

-- Telephone - Business office (Mercer Island) 232-8182; Snow phone, 236-1600.

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN

Washington's premier destination ski resort, 39 miles east of Enumclaw off Highway 410. Lifts serve 2,300 acres for skiers of every caliber, plus 1,000 acres of back-country skiing for experts; 32 major runs.

-- Elevation - 4,400-7,000 feet.

-- Operating hours - Mondays-Fridays 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Night skiing 4-10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays and holiday periods.

-- Facilities, services - 10 chairlifts (including a high-speed quad and a fixed quad), ski school and shop, rentals, food services, hotels, condominiums, daily bus service 626-5208.

-- Child care - Fridays-Mondays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Reservations required for infants, recommended for 2 years and older, 1-206-663-2300.

-- Lift prices - Weekends and holidays: all-day adult $32, children (7-11) $20, youth (12-17) or senior (62-69) $27; swing (noon-10 p.m.) $28, youth $18, teen-senior $24. Mondays-Tuesdays (nonholiday) $16, Wednesdays-Fridays $20. Night adult, $16; Seniors over 70 and children under 6, $5.

-- Telephone - 1-206-663-2265; lodging 663-2558 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.); snow phone, 634-3771.

MISSION RIDGE

Sunny, scenic area 13 miles southwest of Wenatchee; 30 major runs - 10 percent beginner, 60 percent intermediate, 30 percent advanced - covering more than 2,080 acres.

-- Elevation - 4,600-6,740 feet.

-- Operating hours - Daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Skiers should check with area information on closure dates.

-- Facilities, services - Four chairlifts (4,300 skiers per hour), two rope tows, snow-making equipment, ski school, food services, rentals (alpine only). Hotels and motels in Wenatchee.

-- Child care - Day care 1-509-663-7631.

-- Lift prices - Weekends and holidays: all-day adult $28; student (16-20) $20; children (7-15) $15; senior (62 and older) $20. Midweek (Mondays-Friday), $15. Night skiing (4-10 p.m.) Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays $8. Children 6 and under, accompanied by parent, free.

-- Telephone - 1-509-663-3200. Lodging (800) 57-APPLE.

MOUNT BAKER

An early-opening area 56 miles east of Bellingham on Highway 542. Prolific snowfall. National snowboard epicenter. Groomed trails, open bowls and meadows. All skill levels.

-- Elevation - 3,500-5,040 feet.

-- Operating hours - Daily 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Weekends and holidays 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

-- Facilities, services - Two fixed quad chairlifts, six double chairs, two rope tows, natural snowboard halfpipe, ski school and shop, food services, rentals.

-- Child care - Fridays-Sundays and holidays, 2 years and older, toilet-trained. Reservations suggested.

-- Lift prices - Weekends and holidays: all-day adult $27.50, children (7-15) and senior $20. Midweek, nonholidays: $18. Beginner rope tow free. Seniors 70 and older, under 6 free.

-- Telephone - 1-206-734-6771; snow phone 1-206-671-0211.

STEVENS PASS

A popular commuter area with a good mix of terrain (1,125 acres) 80 miles northeast of Seattle on Highway 2; 26 major runs, 11 percent beginner, 54 percent intermediate, 35 percent advanced.

-- Elevation - 3,821-5,800 feet.

-- Operating hours - Daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

-- Facilities, services - 11 chairlifts, food services, ski schools, ski shop, rentals.

-- Child care - 2 and older, toilet trained. Reservations 1-206-973-2441.

-- Lift prices - Weekends and holidays: all-day adult $31, children (7-12) $24, senior $26. Mondays-Tuesdays: all-day adult $15. Non-holiday Wednesdays-Fridays: all-day adult $20. Night skiing: adults $25, children $18, seniors $20; Nights Sunday-Thursday (5 p.m.-10 p.m.) $10. Seniors over 70 and children under 6 free.

-- Telephone - 1-206-973-2441; snowphone 634-1645.

WHITE PASS

The mountain that spawned the Mahre brothers; 51 miles west of Yakima on Highway 12. Wide beginner-intermediate runs, advanced trails, wide-open lower slopes for beginners.

-- Elevation - 4,000-6,000 feet.

-- Operating hours - Daily 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Night skiing until 10 p.m.

-- Facilities, services - Four chairlifts (capacity 4,600 skiers per hour), poma lift, rope tow, ski school, shop, food services, lodging.

-- Child care - Daily 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 2 to 6 years old; reservations recommended. 1-509-672-3106.

-- Lift prices - Weekends: all-day (until closing) adult $29, children (12 and under) and senior (65 and older) $18. Midweek: Monday, Tuesday and Friday, all-day adult $18, children and senior $10. Wednesday-Thursday special, day or night $13. Nights, $10.

-- Telephone - 1-509-453-3106; snow phone 1-509-672-3100.

WHISTLER-BLACKCOMB

Often rated the biggest and best in North America, the mountain is 75 miles north of Vancouver, B.C., 4 1/2-5 hours from Seattle.

-- Elevation - Whistler Mountain 2,140-7,160 feet; Blackcomb 2,214-7,494 feet.

-- Operating hours - Midweek 9 a.m.-3 p.m., weekends 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Feb. 1-April 23, open until 3:30 p.m. daily.

-- Facilities, services - Whistler Mountain: one gondola, four express quad chairlifts including the new Harmony Express, three triple chairlifts, two double chairlifts, two T-bars, two rope tows, one platter pull. Blackcomb: high-speed eight-passenger gondola, six express quad chairlifts, five triple chairlifts, one double chairlift, two T-bars. Both areas have extensive full services.

-- Lift prices (Canadian) - Whistler: all-day adult $46, senior (65 and older) $33, youth (13-18) $36, children (7-12) $20, 15-day passes begin at $599. Blackcomb: all-day adult $47, senior $33.75, youth (13-18) $42, children (7-12) $22.50. Dual mountain: all-day adult $47, senior $33.75, and youth $42, children $22.50. Children 6 and under are free.

-- Telephone - Whistler: 1-604-932-3434 or toll free from Vancouver, B.C., 685-1007, snow phone 1-604-932-4191; Blackcomb: 1-604-932-3141, snow phone 1-604-687-7507 or 1-604-932-4211.

MOUNT BACHELOR

Oregon's premier ski area, with 3,228 acres served by 60 runs; 20 miles SW of Bend.

-- Elevation - 5,800-9,065 feet.

-- Operating hours - Daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

-- Facilities, services - Six high-speed quad chairlifts, three triple chairs, one double chair, two surface lifts, ski school and shop, rentals. 15 percent novice terrain; 25 percent intermediate; 35 percent advanced/intermediate; 25 percent expert.

-- Child care - Available all day, reservations strongly recommended.

-- Lift prices - All-day adult $33, youths (7-12) $18, children under 6 free.

-- Phone - 1-800-829-2442 for reservations, information; 1-503-382-7888 snow phone.

MOUNT HOOD MEADOWS

Varied terrain on the eastern slopes of Mount Hood in Oregon; 70 ski trails. Take I-84 east to Exit 64 in Hood River. Follow Highway 35 for 36 miles to the Meadows access road.

-- Elevation - 4,523-7,300 feet.

-- Operating hours - Mondays-Tuesdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

-- Facilities, services - Two express quad and one triple chair, seven double chairs, one pony lift, one rope tow, ski school and shop, food service, condominiums.

-- Child care - None offered.

-- Lift prices - All-day weekend adult $32; half-day $27; senior and youth (7-17) $20. Night skiing: adult $14.

-- Telephone - 1-503-337-2222; snow phone 1-503-227-SNOW.

MOUNT HOOD SKIBOWL

Fifty miles east of Portland on Highway 26, with 65 runs, a steep upper bowl and massive night-skiing area.

-- Elevation - 3,600-5,066 feet.

-- Operating hours - Mondays-Tuesdays 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

-- Facilities, services - Four chairlifts and five rope tows, four lodges, ski school and shop, rentals, snowboard complex, full food services.

-- Child care - Available locally.

-- Lift prices - All-day adult $23, children (11 and under) $16; all-day/night adult $28, children $18; snowboard park day/night $10.

-- Telephone - 1-503-272-3206; snow phone 1-503-222-BOWL.

TIMBERLINE

High on Oregon's Mount Hood, at historic Timberline Lodge. Mostly intermediate terrain with broad Cascade views. From I-5 south to Portland take I-205 south to Highway 212 east, then Highway 26 east at Sandy.

-- Elevation - 6,000-7,000 feet.

-- Operating hours - Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Night skiing Wednesdays-Saturdays to 10 p.m.

-- Facilities, services - Five chairlifts, including one high-speed quad; ski school and shop; rentals; accommodations at Timberline Lodge, Silcox Hut or motels on Highway 26.

-- Child care - No service provided.

-- Lift prices - Weekend (9 a.m.-10 p.m.) adult $28, swing shift (1 p.m.-10 p.m.) $18; weekday adult (9 a.m.-10 p.m.) $22, swing (1 p.m.-10 p.m.) $18; Junior (7-12) $18 all-day, night $10. Children under 6 ski free.

-- Telephone - 1-503-272-3311; snow phone 1-503-222-2211.

OTHER AREAS

-- Phone numbers for other Washingtondestinations: Echo Valley (10 miles northwest of Chelan), 509-687-3167; 49 Degrees North (10 miles east of Chewelah, Stevens County), 509-935-6649; Hurricane Ridge (18 miles south of Port Angeles), 457-5559, Sorensen Sports; Leavenworth Ski Hill (1 mile north of Leavenworth on Ski Hill Drive, off Highway 2), 509-548-5115; Mount Spokane (30 miles northeast of Spokane, 35 major trails, beginner through expert), 509-238-6281; North Cascade Heli-Skiing (based in Mazama, 16 miles west of Winthrop), 509-996-3272; Sitzmark (21 miles northeast of Tonasket, Okanogan County), 1-509-486-2700; Ski Bluewood (23 miles southeast of Dayton, Columbia County), 509-382-4725.

-- Phone numbers for other Oregon ski destinations: Ski Ashland, 503-482-2897. Willamette Pass, 503-484-5030. Anthony Lakes (La Grande), 503-963-4599. Mount Bailey Snowcats (Diamond Lake), 503-793-3333 or 1-800-733-7593. Hoodoo (Sisters), 503-822-3799 or 1-800-949-LIFT.

-- Phone numbers for other BritishColumbia destinations: Red Mountain (Rossland), 1-800-663-0105 or 604-362-5500 (snow phone) or 509-459-6000. Big White (Kelowna), 604-765-3101. Silver Star (Vernon), 604-542-0224. Apex Alpine (Penticton), 604-292-8111. Mount Robson Heli-Skiing (Valemount), 604-566-4700. Grouse Mountain (Vancouver), 604-984-0661. Panorama (Invermere), 604-342-6941. Kimberley, 604-427-4881. Fernie Snow Valley, 604-423-4655. Whitetooth (Golden), 604-344-6114. Fairmont, 604-345-6311. Cypress Bowl (Vancouver), 604-926-5612.

-- Phone numbers for Idaho ski destinations: Sun Valley, 1-800-634-3347 or 1-800-635-8261. Silver Mountain (Kellogg), 208-783-1111. Schweitzer (Sandpoint), 1-800-831-8810. Bogus Basin (Boise), 208-332-5100. Brundage (McCall), 1-800-888-7544. Grand Targhee, 1-800-443-8146.

SNOW PHONES

-- Cascade conditions, Seattle Times INFOLINE, 464-2000, from touch-tone phone (category 9011). Western Ski Promotions, 634-2754. Cascade Ski Report, 634-0200. Out-of-state conditions: Seattle Times INFOLINE, 464-2000, followed by these categories: Canada, category 3500. Idaho, category 3501. Sun Valley, category 3502. Montana, category 3503. Oregon, category 3504.