White Pass skiing boosting the local economy
WHITE PASS -- While snowboarders can expect to take an occasional fall, White Pass is still standing strong.
"The snow showed up, and so did everyone else," says White Pass spokesperson, Kathleen Goyette.
No one could be happier about that than Ryan Baich.
"It's fun, its fluffy, plenty of duff to be shredded," says Ryan.
Right now that is, but White Pass officials tell KIMA more snow needs to fall before another 30 percent of the ski area opens up. Not that it matters to snowboarding fanatics like Ryan.
"I'm thinking it's going to be a great season," says Ryan. "Plenty of snow, plenty of people. It's a good opening."
The fresh snow isn't just good for the skiers and snowboarders. It's good for the industry. Everyone knows when you get to the slopes, you don't simply ski. You spend money.
White Pass workers say for every dollar spent on lift tickets, people spend 5 dollars on things like food, gas and gear.
"It's great for us, and it's great for the industry," says Goyette. "It's also great for the services and everyone on Highway 12. The more traffic we get on the highway, the better everyone does economically."
For Ryan, hitting Highway 12 for fresh white slopes is a price that sounds just right.
"I'm up here everyday," says Ryan. "Probably 120 days last year."
120 days of high speed fun, and high profits for the local economy.
This year, white pass added three more acres of parking to keep up with increased visitors. Last year the number of people going to White Pass surged nearly a quarter.
The pass will be closed Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. Beginning Wednesday, November 23, White Pass will be open every day until the end of the season.
"The snow showed up, and so did everyone else," says White Pass spokesperson, Kathleen Goyette.
No one could be happier about that than Ryan Baich.
"It's fun, its fluffy, plenty of duff to be shredded," says Ryan.
Right now that is, but White Pass officials tell KIMA more snow needs to fall before another 30 percent of the ski area opens up. Not that it matters to snowboarding fanatics like Ryan.
"I'm thinking it's going to be a great season," says Ryan. "Plenty of snow, plenty of people. It's a good opening."
The fresh snow isn't just good for the skiers and snowboarders. It's good for the industry. Everyone knows when you get to the slopes, you don't simply ski. You spend money.
White Pass workers say for every dollar spent on lift tickets, people spend 5 dollars on things like food, gas and gear.
"It's great for us, and it's great for the industry," says Goyette. "It's also great for the services and everyone on Highway 12. The more traffic we get on the highway, the better everyone does economically."
For Ryan, hitting Highway 12 for fresh white slopes is a price that sounds just right.
"I'm up here everyday," says Ryan. "Probably 120 days last year."
120 days of high speed fun, and high profits for the local economy.
This year, white pass added three more acres of parking to keep up with increased visitors. Last year the number of people going to White Pass surged nearly a quarter.
The pass will be closed Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. Beginning Wednesday, November 23, White Pass will be open every day until the end of the season.
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