Washington winter is in full swing with a healthy snowpack. Skiers and snowboarders are flocking to the Cascades, eager to erase the memories of last year’s dismal season. But full parking lots and busy trails are a reminder that lift-serviced skiing and snowboarding is not a solitary pursuit — you’re part of a community whether you like it or not. So what are some of the essential etiquette, not to mention the rules and responsibilities, that come with a day on the slopes?
Getting there
Good ski etiquette starts before you leave the house. If you’re driving to the mountains — which, despite a few valiant efforts, is still how the vast majority of us get from the lowlands to the high country — make sure your vehicle is winter-ready. If you spin out heading up a mountain pass and block the road for everyone, that’s about the worst faux pas you can make.
What’s gripping the road is arguably the most important component in winter driving. Tires labeled M+S (mud and snow) or all season with a mountain/snowflake symbol are considered approved traction tires by WSDOT. Although studded tires are permitted on Washington roads from Nov. 1 to March 31, most of the route from Western Washington up to ski areas is on snow and ice-free pavement, so some argue the damage studded tires cause to asphalt makes them ill-suited to our region.
In the absence of extra burly tires, putting on tire chains gives you sufficient traction to meet state requirements. Chains go on whichever axel is doing the work. Front tires for front-wheel drive and rear tires for rear-wheel drive. Even if you have all-wheel drive and snow tires, still carry chains in winter in case they are required for all vehicles (it’s happened to me).