How to Snowboard and Surf in the Same Day in Washington
What if you didn't have to choose between ocean and mountains? What if you could spend your morning shredding snow-capped peaks and your afternoon surfing rad breaks? Well, hold onto your boards, because guess what? In the Pacific Northwest, YOU CAN! No joke, there are plenty of places where same-day surfing and shredding is totally achievable (and even encouraged), so you know I had to give it a go.
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The Pacific Northwest is one of just a handful of locations around the world where the mountains meet the sea in a unique way that makes same-day snowboarding and surfing possible. So I full sent it, and I'm here to share the do's and don'ts so you can tackle this rad Washington bucket list item for yourself.
Read on for multiple ski-to-surf locations in Washington, pro tips for making the most of your day, what to pack, what not to do, and more.
Let's go!
Table of Contents
Possible Same-Day Ski + Surf Adventures:
Mt. Baker Ski Area -> Whidbey Island (2 hours, 27 minutes)
Hurricane Ridge -> Hobuck (2 hours, 30 minutes)
Hurricane Ridge -> Crescent Bay (50 minutes)
Crystal -> Westport (3 hours, 25 minutes)
White Pass -> Westport (3 hours, 18 minutes)
There are plenty of same-day surf/shred adventures in Washington state to choose from. The above is just a small selection of what I deemed to be the most achievable in a day, based on proximity. So what adventure is best for you? Here are a few things to keep in mind while deciding.
Questions to Consider Before Venturing Out
Do you have a ski pass?
Mt. Baker and Crystal accept the Ikon Pass
White Pass and Hurricane Ridge accept the Indy Pass.
How much time do you want to spend on each of these activities?
How close do you live to each?
Do you have a National Park Pass?
A National Park Pass is required to visit Hurricane Ridge Ski Area.
How important is varied terrain?
From smallest to largest: Hurricane Ridge, White Pass, Mt. Baker, Crystal
What's your skill level at each activity?
With an Indy Pass in hand and optimal shred/surf time as a priority, we settled on Hurricane Ridge and Crescent Bay as our destinations for our same-day adventure.
PSA: This is about to be a LONG calorie-burning day, so pack lots of snacks, dranks, caffeine, a hearty lunch, you get the idea.
Shred
Getting There:
I recommending starting your epic day in the peaks with a solid shred sesh. Why? Snowboarding with wet hair is less than ideal.
Pro Tip:
Get there EARLY! The Hurricane Ridge parking lot is tiny to begin with, and only half of it is plowed in winter. Even though the gates open at 9 and the mountain opens at 10, I'd recommend getting there at 8am to ensure a spot in the lot.
Enter Olympic National Park via the Port Angeles park entrance. If you have a National Park Pass, bring it along. You can always purchase one at the entrance too.
Pro Tip:
If you plan to visit three or more national parks in the next 12 months, I highly recommend purchasing an Interagency National Park Pass. It's a one-time $80 fee (and it's $30 per vehicle to enter each time without one). It pays for itself after three visits.
Hurricane Ridge Ski Area
Vertical Rise: 800'
Base Elevation: 4800'
Summit Elevation: 5500'
Annual Snowfall: 400"
Number of Trails: 10
Number of Lifts: 3 (two rope tows and one poma lift)
Trails Guide:
Green Circles: Beginner Runs
Blue Squares: Intermediate Runs
Black Diamond: Advanced Runs
Double Black Diamond: Expert Runs
IMPORTANT: Because this is a National Park, runs aren't marked on the mountain. Know where you are at all times and never venture into unknown terrain without the proper gear and training.
At the top, pick up your lift ticket from the pop-up shipping container and head north hill. The first rope tow is the bunny hill. If you've never tried a rope tow before, this is the perfect place to learn.
Ski/Snowboard Safety Tips:
Always wear a helmet designed for skiing or snowboarding
Protect your eyes with goggles and skin with sunscreen.
Make sure your boots fit properly and bindings are adjusted correctly.
Prepare for the weather (layer up!)
Go with a buddy
Follow all trail rules
Only go on trails that match your skill level
Take a lesson to learn the ropes and learn basic safety. Everyone could benefit from a review.
If you've never used a ski lift before, let the liftee know. They're happy to walk you through it.
Don't forget to drink water!
How to Use a Rope Tow
Snowboarders:
Approach the rope and point your board up the mountain on your dominant side. If you're regular, your back will be to the rope. If that's the case, you'll grab the rope with your left hand out in front of you. Your right hand will go behind. Let the rope slip through your glove, slowly gripping until it pulls you forward. Grip the rope with your right hand around back, lean on your right arm, and allow your right arm to push you up the hill.
Goofy: Grab the rope with your right hand first, slowly until it pulls you forward. Then you can grab it with your left, tucking it under your left arm for extra grip.
Skiers:
Approach the rope and point both tips up the mountain. Grip the rope with your left hand and tuck it under your left arm for extra grip. Then grab it with your right too to keep you straight as the rope pulls you up the hill.
Photo Courtesy of Olympic National Park
The second hill is a longer, steeper rope tow. There's also a small terrain park here, and sometimes even a small half pipe–give them a go!
The backside features two blue runs, a black run, and The Face, which is an expert-only section of mountain not maintained by mountain staff with natural hazards like rocks, fallen trees, stumps, and possible avalanches. A single Poma Lift takes skiers back up the mountain.
Poma lifts also require a bit of a learning curve. (I've used a couple of these over the years and I still managed to get smacked in the head by the metal bar and face planted sooooo don't be afraid to wipe out. It happens to everyone).
Riding a Poma Lift
Snowboarders:
Approach the lift (with both feet strapped in) and stand with your dominant foot pointed uphill.
The liftee will hand you the bar, which you'll place between your legs, resting on the inside of your forward thigh.
DO NOT SIT DOWN. This tech is is super flexible for all heights, and is meant to pull you up the mountain.
Keep your head straight over your shoulders to not get whacked by the pole like I did (RIP). Once it catches, you'll feel an initial jerk, so hold on tight.
Lean back just slightly and keep the board flat so as not to catch any edges. When you hit the steeper parts, let the bar pull you up the mountain.
It's a lot to remember at first but you'll get the hang of it!
Skiers:
Approach the lift with both tips pointing up the mountain.
The liftee will hand you the bar, which you'll place between your legs.
DO NOT SIT DOWN. This tech is is super flexible for all heights, and is meant to pull you up the mountain.
Lean back just slightly and keep your skies under you as the Poma pulls you up the mountain. When you hit the steeper parts, let the bar do the work. Fight the urge to hold on to the bar super tight–you'll tire out quickly.
While small, Hurricane Ridge can be a pretty epic shredding experience. It is the only ski resort in the Olympic Mountains, provides access to the backcountry for untouched pow, and the views are hard to beat. I for sureeee took a few falls not because of the slush we shredded that day, but because of the 360-degree views of vast mountain wilderness. Un-freaking-real.
After a solid shred sesh, it's time to hit the coast for the second half of our epic ski-to-sea day.
Good thing it's only 55 minutes away!
Surf
Getting to Crescent Beach
From Hurricane Ridge, drive back down the winding mountain road to Port Angeles and head west on US-101. After 4.6 miles, take a right onto WA-112 W toward Neah Bay. 3.5 miles later, take a right onto Camp Hayden Road until you see the water (0.8 miles). You've arrived!
Where to rent
If you’re coming from Seattle, Surf Ballard will rent you a board, wetsuit, booties, and gloves for $70/day, $100 for two days, or $130 for three.
Urban Surf is another great North Seattle surf shop, offering boards for $45/day or less depending on the type of board you’d like.
During the summer months, North by Northwest Surf Shop in Port Angeles will hook you up. Unfortunately, they’re only open May through September, so keep it in mind for your summer surfing adventures!
Surfing Crescent Beach
Crescent Beach is a privately owned and operated little-known surf camp next to Salt Creek Recreation Area. (Definitely check that out too if you have time!) For $8 a day, surfers get beach access, parking, complimentary wifi, and access to a gear rinse station, bathrooms, and hot quarter-operated showers.
RV, sites, tent camping, and two cabins are also available for an overnight fee, all just steps from the bay.
Reading Wave Reports
Don't forget to check a wave report before you go! The waves here can range from flat to 12',–beginner to expert–depending on the day. Don't put yourself in a sketchy situation just because you want to accomplish the ski-to-sea day. Only surf what you're comfortable with.
Surf Safety
Photo Courtesy of Los Angeles Fire Department
8 Checks for Safe Surfing:
Surf with a buddy
Going in pairs allows you to keep an eye on each other and call for the other in case of an emergency.
Tell someone you’re going surfing
Let someone know when and where you are going out and, importantly, when you expect to be back.
Check weather and tides
Before you set out, check the local forecast for wind, swell and tide.
Know your limits
It’s easy to be caught out. Don’t challenge yourself too early and know your limits.
Be aware of rip currents
Look for areas where you think there should be waves, but there aren't. This could be a sign that it's a rip current. If caught in a rip current, don't panic! They're not going to drag you under, just take you for a little joy ride. Swim with it and slowly out to the side to conserve energy. You'll eventually escape the current and swim back to shore.
Always wear a leash
To avoid getting separated from your board.
Wear the right wetsuit
As well as keeping you warm, wetsuits give some added protection from scrapes on rocks or impacts from other surfboards. Evo has a great guide for choosing the best wetsuit for you.
Understand surf etiquette and rights of way
Consider other surfers and water users. Running into another surfer or swimmer could result in serious injury. Make sure to give them some space.
What to Pack
Snowboard/skis
Snowboard boots
Ski Jacket: If I'm not in a onesie, I'm wearing the Patagonia Snowbelle Jacket.
Ski pants/bibs: I'm wearing my Burton Avalon Gore-Tex bibs in the photos above. Seriously can't recommend them enough.
A shred helmet: Smith is currently offering 25% off one of their best basic helmets!
A swimsuit
A surfboard (Surf Ballard has a surf gear package deal that includes a board, a wetsuit, booties, and gloves for $50).
Snacks
