Power Outage Shuts Down Major Washington Ski Resort Amid Winter Storm

As a major snowstorm bears down on Washington, one of the best-known ski resorts in the Seattle area, Stevens Pass, is dealing with a power outage. 

In an update published Wednesday morning, the ski resort announced that it doesn’t expect to open today, January 7, 2026. Stevens Pass added that power restoration is estimated to arrive at 6 p.m., but didn’t share the cause of the outage.

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Stevens Pass, as well as several other ski resorts throughout Washington’s Cascade Range, are currently under a Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service. The warning lasts until Thursday afternoon and, according to the agency, will make travel very difficult. 

It’s also contributing to memorable ski conditions for local powder hounds. At Crystal Mountain, 20 inches of snow have fallen in the past day. Mt. Baker Ski Area fared similarly, also tallying 20 inches of snow. Meanwhile, Alpental welcomed the first skiers and snowboarders of the season amid the snow.

The storm presents a rapid change in direction for Washington’s ski season. By early December, many of the state’s ski resorts were drenched with rain, dealing with road washouts, and unsure of when they would open.

Video: Crystal Mountain, Washington, January 6, 2026

Skier: Henri Hallé, Video: Caitlin Habenicht

But colder temperatures and fast-acting road crews have kicked winter back into gear. The ongoing storm is set to improve western Washington’s snowpack further, which, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, still remains about 20% below the median. 

And as disappointing as the Stevens Pass power outage may be for local skiers, it should give time for the powder to pile higher, making for a memorable ski day on Thursday. 

The ski resort, according to its snow report, has seen an impressive 20 inches of snow in the past 24 hours. The National Weather Service expects as much as 17 inches between Wednesday and Wednesday night, with more flakes arriving on Thursday.

Hunting for the Thursday goods, of course, hinges on whether or not Stevens Pass’ power troubles are resolved by then. You can stop by the ski resort’s social media page for the latest updates.