Chinook Pass - 2006

Stimbuck here from WSDOT Avalanche.

We've been working hard to get Chinook Pass open before Memorial Day weekend and it looks like we are on track to open by Thursday May 25. Snow conditions have been good lately, and most of our avalanche work is nearing completion. A fair amount of snow remains above the highway and this could lead to further avalanche control work if the conditions require it. We ask that skiers/snowboarders avoid the slopes above the highway as there may be avalanche control work in progress (our crews will temporarily delay traffic to conduct control work). Additonally if the snow is loose you could trigger a slide that reaches the highway. There are signs in the bowl east of Chinook Pass that mark the area where avalanche work may be conducted.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Cheers,

Stimbuck

Good info, Stimbuck.
Thanks for the "first hand" info and thank you, also, for your efforts in coordinating with us, the backcountry ski community. It helps a lot when you give us a "heads up" on how to stay out of your way.
Thanks, again!!

A little photo of the snowplows on Chinook Pass from today's Tacoma paper:

Thanks for the hard work and heads up. But where in the photo are the" Peaches and Cream Girls" will they be there for openingday?

Thanks for the update John - make some turns for me as its been a while. Although the surfs been good there's nothing like a good tour. Say hi to Craig, Lee, Rob and the rest of the bros...

Should be open now, right?

edit: checked the WSDOT website. OPEN. (Cayuse still closed due to road damage)