Due to the nature of snowsports, we expect to run ski school in a variety of conditions! In the event that we are unable to hold lessons on any given day, the day will be postponed and tacked on the end of the season. (End of season conditions and ski area operations permitting.).
We know how difficult it is to have schedule changes, so please understand that the decision to postpone a lesson is not made lightly. We take in to consideration multiple factors when we make our decisions, from weather conditions on the mountain to the conditions for travel to and from the Summit. The safety of our students is a priority. We will not cancel a class unless we think it's absolutely necessary.
The best way to be up to date on operational status is to follow our social media accounts. If operational status changes, we will post to our social channels, email all families, as well as text. We also try to post a sign at the base of Pig Chair. Please make sure to also c
heckout our article on Emergency Procedures!Rain
We run lessons rain or shine! Make sure to bring extra gloves, pants and jackets, and grab a poncho! Some of the most fun snow to ride in is rainy snow!
Extreme Cold
We may not run if the temperature, including wind factor, precipitation, ambient temperature, etc, calls for extreme cold temperatures (we do not have a published temperature, as our decision depends on a variety of factors). We monitor the weather reports closely and will make that call closer to each lesson date, as the weather reports have a tendency to change throughout the week.
Avalanche
If WSDOT determines that I-90 will need to be closed for an extended amount of time due to avalanche danger, that coincides with lesson time, we may not run. Keep in mind that we almost never have any avalanche concerns at Summit Central, and in the rare cases that we do, Ski Patrol will ensure that runs are safe before we operate. Avalanche hazards on the roadways are a bigger threat to our operations then at summit central.
Road Closures
If I-90 is closed for an extended amount of time for weather related incidents, that impedes staff and students' ability to get to lessons safely, then we may not run. In the event that the pass closes while we are operating, there is almost always a way to get off the pass, however we may choose to end lessons early. WSDOT, WA State Patrol, and other agencies work very hard to ensure that folks have a safe way to get home. We also maintain lines of communications with the Ski Area, WSDOT and the Snoqualmie Pass Fire Department to ensure that we can get everyone home as quickly as possible.
Power Outages
If the power to the ski area is out for an extended amount of time, and the Area cannot run chairs safely, then we may not run, or may need to end lessons early. Keep in mind that all chairs have backup generators to unload guests that are on the chair when the power goes out, AND many chairs can run on full backup power! When the power is out, the Area cannot run night time operations safely at this time.
Checkout our article on Emergency Procedures!Chair Mechanical Issues
All chair lifts are rigorously maintained and tested on an annual basis. In the rare event of a mechanical issue, Ski Patrol and Ski Area staff are trained in proper unloading and evacuation protocols. All chairs have backup power sources to run in the case of a main power failure to unload guests, some even have backup generators to continue running the chair. In rare instances, a rope evacuation may need to be performed. Ski Patrol trains regularly for this (some of our staff even volunteer to help Patrol train!). If you are on a chair that has been stopped for an extended period of time, please be patient and wait for instructions by ski patrol or area staff. The most important thing to do is to sit back, relax, and don't wiggle!
Checkout our article on Emergency Procedures!Lightning/Wind
In the case of a lightning or wind incident, the Ski Area has protocols on safely unloading the chair lifts. Depending on the weather forecast, we may choose to delay or postpone lessons for the that day. Checkout our article on
Emergency Procedures!