After storm delays and highway closures, Stevens Pass opens for 2025-26 season

LEAVENWORTH — After weeks of uncertainty amid floods, power outages and road closures, Stevens Pass Ski Resort opened for the 2025-26 season on Dec. 29.

Months ago, the ski resort predicted a Dec. 5 opening, hopeful that winter would come on time. Instead, an atmospheric river in mid-December brought severe flooding and road damage, closing the US-2 corridor from Skykomish to Leavenworth. When the snow did arrive, prevailing road damage kept the ski resort isolated and closed. 

As questions over road repairs and closure times hung in the air, the resort had to refund day lift tickets, rentals, parking and RV reservations, as well as cancel or reschedule lessons. Employees were without work, and some of which were personally impacted by the storm. According to Stevens Pass General Manager Ellen Galbraith, the ski resort was able to initiate emergency pay to employees who lost shifts, as well as provide food assistance to those living at the pass.

“Some of our employees who were most impacted have connected with the Epic Promise Foundation for grants to help them recover costs,” said Galbraith.

As state officials speculated about a prolonged highway closure, Stevens Pass received a swath of online backlash after it told pass holders it would not issue refunds, reasoning that it would eventually open.

Yet, days before the start of the new year, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) opened US-2 from Coles Corner to Stevens Pass, enabling the ski resort to welcome visitors from the east side. Less than 48 hours after the ski resort opened, WSDOT announced west side access to the ski resort was restored by Jan. 1. 

Still, operations at Stevens Pass remain limited by road restrictions. On the east side, travel is limited to between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily from Stevens Pass to Coles Corner. To align with the evening road closure, Stevens Pass is closing at 4 p.m. daily, eliminating night skiing until further notice. The Nordic Center will also stay closed as long as pilot car operations continue.

“We feel confident that when we can get nights back open, we will be able to get nights back open. It could take us a couple days to make sure we have all the lifts spinning, but we still have time to figure that out, and so we're working as hard as we can to be in the best position to be ready when nights start,” said Galbraith.

Additionally, east side skiers and riders should expect travel delays, such as the Chumstick Highway detour avoiding the Tumwater Canyon closure, as well as pilot car operations during the last seven to eight miles before the pass. Eastbound travelers departing from the pass will have to enter a queue in Lots B and D to leave with the pilot car.

According to Galbraith, Stevens Pass is still considering ways to address pass holders impacted by the storm and traffic delays. However, with operations changing day-today, the ski resort has yet to confirm its plans.

“It’s been so dynamic and what we know and what is happening is changing every day,” said Galbraith. “Thankfully, with access open, we've got people skiing.”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media