Alpental at the Snoqualmie Summit and other local ski resorts reported first snowfall of the season, Oct. 10, 2016. (KOMO Photo)

SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. - It may be time to start dusting off those skis and snowboards. Workers at Alpental at the Summit at Snoqualmie Pass showed up to find four inches of new snow on Monday morning.

"The nights are getting colder, there's been more precipitation, there's been more consistency to that as the days go by," said Alpental director Guy Lawrence. "

"We were hoping that there was some snow on top of the mountains, but yeah so glad to see it, it's like so special," said Veronica Dreher, who visited Alpental for a day of hiking. "I would love if there was snow by Christmas, that would be awesome."



Lawrence said the first official snowfall marked their countdown to ski season. The chance for more snow kept workers busy renovating Alpental’s summit cabin and making sure lifts were in working order.

“I like the signs it’s really positive,” said Lawrence, who added the storms in Western Washington could very well beat 2015’s opening day in mid-December

“It was nice to get back on track and get going and put a lot of smiles on people’s faces including mine,” Lawrence grinned. “I have a lot of confidence in this coming season.”



The optimism stretched to Stevens Pass Resort and Ski Area, where workers showed off the first snow via Facebook video, leaving plenty crossing fingers for even more.

“Unlike a lot of people I like the rain,” said Lawrence. “Rain equals snow at the right temperature and we get the rain, we get excited.”

While known for its advanced ski areas, Alpental said this year, it is opening two new carpet lifts near its base to accommodate skiers looking for something more tame.



