Winter Van Life: White Pass Ski Area
When We Visited: March 2020
It snowed during the two midweek days we spent at White Pass. There were so few people that we could easily find fresh lines all day.
The single and double black diamond runs accessible from the Great White Express lift and the West Ridge Access Off-Piste Skiing were my favorite.
We enjoyed a few runs off Couloir Express with a man full-timing in his sedan and skiing resorts participating in Powder Alliance, as well as partner resorts on the Mount Bohemia Season Pass. He was the first person we met on the road taking advantage of their Powder Alliance benefits like us. We appreciated all the insight he gave into resorts we had not yet visited.
If we visit again, I’d like to check out the White Pass Nordic Center and Doggie Hour!
Plan Your RV/Van Life Road Trip to White Pass
skiwhitepass.com
48935 US Highway 12, Naches, WA 98937
(509) 672-3101
qna@skiwhitepass.com
Pass affiliations: Powder Alliance 2023/24, Indy Pass 2023/24
Lift Hours: Open daily. See their Lifts & Hours page for more information.
Mountain Stats
- Annual snowfall: 350 inches
- Skiable terrain: 1,402 acres
- Vertical: 2,000 feet
Driving to White Pass
White Pass is in a remote area on the White Pass Scenic Byway (US 12). It’s almost 3 hours from Portland, over 2 hours from Tacoma, and 1 hour from Yakima. If you’re traveling east on US 12 to White Pass, it’s about a 90 minute climb through the mountains. If you’re traveling west, it’s about a 40-minute climb.
For current road conditions, see White Pass on US 12 information courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
For more information, see the White Pass Getting Here page.
Parking at White Pass
If you’re not RV camping in Lot C, there is parking on the highway at the top of White Pass on both sides. The ski area is on the south side of the highway. In addition to parking on the highway, there are a couple of lots on the north side of the highway next to the White Pass Village Inn.
The lots were very congested on a Sunday when we arrived. If you have a large rig, I’m not sure I would recommend taking it in there on the weekend.
For a visual of parking options, see the White Pass Trail Map.
Working Remotely at White Pass
AT&T cell service worked well for us without a booster in Lot C, including texting, emailing, and streaming entertainment. We didn’t try a video conference call.
Where to Sleep in Your Van/RV
White Pass offers overnight RVing in Lot C for a fee with reservations. See the White Pass RV Parking page for more information.
I was concerned about the following statement on the RV Parking page:
When necessary, the RV Lot will be closed on Tuesday nights at 4pm until Wednesday at 5pm for snow removal and maintenance. (No closures during holiday periods.)
I asked the lot attendant about this as soon as we arrived because we had paid to stay Tuesday night. He explained that they copied their policies from another ski resort and that the snow removal and closure do not take place as noted. If this concerns you, I’d call to find out if they implemented this policy in the meantime.
Lot C is close to the Far East lift but a far walk from the Day Lodge. You must go to the Day Lodge first if you need a lift ticket.
Port-a-potties are available in Lot C. However, I was scared to use them because they were sitting on wood palettes and looked very unlevel. I had this terrible feeling if I stepped inside, the port-a-potty would fall over. The next closest toilets are in the Day Lodge, which, again, is a far walk. If you don’t always do your business in your rig or don’t have the option, don’t wait until the last minute!
The dumpsters were overflowing for the first couple of days of our stay. Please do not leave your trash if you cannot close the dumpster. Have plans to pack it out.
Lot C was at full capacity when we arrived on a Sunday before the Saturday night campers had checked out. By the time they left, it was almost empty for our three-night stay. The lot attendant told us we could camp anywhere in the lot even though we had reserved a specific site.
Silver Beach Resort – 8.6 miles / 10 minutes in Naches – This campground is recommended by White Pass if they are full. We have never stayed there.
Cascade Peaks Family Campground – 27.5 miles / 35 minutes in Randle – This campground is also recommended by White Pass. We have not stayed here either.
Tim’s Pond Public Access – 33.2 miles / 40 minutes in Goose Prairie – I happened to spot this place as we drove down the highway leaving White Pass on our journey to Mission Ridge. I don’t know for sure that camping is free, but it appeared to be.
Ike Kinswa State Park – 67 miles / 80 minutes in Silver Creek – We stayed at this state park before heading up to White Pass after coming from Mount Hood. The dump station is closed during the winter, but you can fill up on potable water. Showers are available, but we didn’t use them.
Conveniences Near White Pass
White Pass is pretty remote and there are not may conveniences along the White Pass Scenic Byway (US 12) from Mary’s Corner (90 minutes west) to Naches (45 minutes east).
However, if you need some basic items, the Kracker Barrel Store & Services is across the street from Lot C at White Pass. Call (509) 672-3105 for more information. They have a fuel station, convenience store with a limited selection of groceries, deli, and coin-op laundry. The link provided says Kracker Barrel has showers, but in talking to a couple of ladies working there, showers are only available during summer. They are primarily used by Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hikers. The ladies also mentioned the White Pass Nordic Center offers showers. I have not been able to confirm this yet.
We traveled from Mount Hood to White Pass, so we did laundry at Twin City Laundry in Longview, and we stocked up on groceries at Costco in Vancouver (membership required).
Closest Ski Areas to White Pass
- Crystal Mountain (Ikon Pass 2023/24) – 43.4 miles / 60 minutes in Enumclaw
- The Summit at Snoqualmie (Ikon Pass 2023/24) – 140 miles / 2.25 hours in Snoqualmie Pass
- Leavenworth Ski Hill – 144 miles / 2.5 hours in Leavenworth
- Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort (Powder Alliance 2023/24, Indy Pass 2023/24) – 174 miles / 3 hours in Wenatchee
- Badger Mountain Ski Hill – 175 miles / 3 hours in Waterville
- Stevens Pass (Epic Pass 2023/24) – 178 miles / 3.25 hours in Skykomish
Other Winter Activities
Mount Rainier National Park – 45.9 miles / 75 minutes to the Nisqually Entrance (only entrance for vehicles during winter) – Enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling during winter.
For those feeling extra adventurous, you can add some backcountry camping to your travels. A permit is required and vehicle and tent camping is prohibited in parking areas. The road closes between Paradise and Longmire nightly. Road closure and reopening times may vary depending on conditions. Visit Mount Rainier National Park’s Winter Camping page for more information, including where you can camp.
