Realistically, which is the longer drive?

All I hear most frequently from the seattle folk is complaints about the gate... baker doesn't have a gate, go up whenver you want! no rangers/bureaucracy to deal with at anytime of the day. plus they have less roads to maintain/plow and I think they clear the roads better. my personal opinion though... and i do have the bellingham bias... less variety of terrain near the ski area though compared to paradise.

my personal opinion though... and i do have the bellingham bias... less variety of terrain near the ski area though compared to paradise.

Fortunately, the ski area is only one small part of the glory that is the North Cascades. There are plenty of other places you can ski in the area.

Fortunately, the ski area is only one small part of the glory that is the North Cascades. There are plenty of other places you can ski in the area.

Oh i know, i guess i was trying to compare the terrain to areas skiiable close to main parking areas. (ski area vs. paradise), off of paradise you can go all the way up rainier and get some great decents. ski area has great runs, but not 7k vertical.