Looking for that fluffy powder snow coveted by all skiers? Two powder kings flank Mount Rainier southeast of Seattle. The state's undisputed “big daddy” of downhill skiing is Crystal Mountain Resort (360-663-2265), a two hour drive from Seattle. Crystal ranks at the top of downhill skiing with a summit elevation of 7,002 feet, the highest in the state (stupendous views), and a vertical drop of 3,100 feet, the longest in the state. Crystal’s elevation, proximity to Mount Rainier, and high-speed quad and six-passenger chairlifts ensure many days of quality powder skiing. Access to the resort was recently improved with the widening of 15 miles of SR 410.

Crystal also is one of only two downhill resorts in Washington that incorporate overnight lodgings within the ski base area. The other is White Pass (509-672-3101), southeast of Mount Rainier (a 3.5 hour drive from Seattle and 1 hour from Yakima, both via U.S. Highway 12). Some visitors might regard White Pass as a mere “hand-maiden’ to the bigger Crystal Mountain. But White’s overall high elevation (4,500 to 6,000 feet) and easterly geography have earned it a reputation for superb powder among veteran Washington skiers. Don’t overlook “snow white.”