Powder Alliance Tour (4/7): Stevens Pass, WA

Stevens Pass Resort, WA

Destination: Stevens Pass in northwest Washington state

Drive time: 11+ hours from Snow Basin, UT

Alternate drive time/plan: we considered adding 2 trip legs to ski Bridger Bowl, Montana, 7 hrs away, then Schweitzer, Idaho, another 7 hrs, then on to Stevens with 5.5 hrs drive. But we're not that crazy. But it's do-able for the ultimate Powder Alluance adventurers.

The plan: Leave directly from the ski hill (Snow Basin) and drive til late to stay with a relative in Kennewick, WA. Otherwise we would have stated in Boise that night. Next day took the back roads going through Wenatchee (with a quick stop at the skate park) and the uber-quaint Germanic town of Leavenworth. Stayed in a cabin in the tiny hamlet of Plain, WA. Two days skiing at Stevens.

The town: Plain was gorgeous! But tiny. Vacation cabins, a hardware store, a tiny grocery, and that's it, plus forest and a beautiful river. You could stay at Leavenworth with all its cute shops and restaurants and plenty of hotel rooms; 45 minute drive to Stevens but there's also a shuttle. Our cabin in Plain was a steal at $50/night; simple but 2 bedrooms, game room, and peekaboo views of the river. And half the drive time to Stevens.

Stevens Pass: our favorite of all the Powder Alliance participants. With record snow, it was huge and absolutely gorgeous. Much, much nicer than we expected. You can get in here free with a regular Mountain High pass since they are owned by the same company. Great beginner (but not newbie) terrain, good park features hidden in various spots for the advanced. Lots to discover. And nice resort buildings as well (restaurants and coffee shop; not lodging).