Mt. Baker Ski Area Reopens After Highway Repair

Crews complete repairs on State Route 542 after December storms damaged a section of the highway.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Mount Baker Highway in Washington has reopened after a four-day closure to repair damage from a series of December storms. The reopening allows Mt. Baker Ski Area to resume operations and provide winter sports enthusiasts access to the high country as the snow returns.

Why it matters

The closure of the Mount Baker Highway was disruptive for the ski area and local winter recreation. The timely repair work by the Washington State Department of Transportation was crucial to restoring access to the popular ski destination before the height of the winter season.

The details

WSDOT crews completed repairs to a damaged culvert and section of the two-lane State Route 542, also known as the Mount Baker Highway, at O'Keefe Creek. They also paved a second damaged section of the highway east of Wells Creek Road. The highway reopened on Friday, allowing Mt. Baker Ski Area to open for operations on Saturday.

  • The highway closed on Monday for emergency repairs.
  • Crews completed the repair work and reopened the highway on Friday.
  • Mt. Baker Ski Area will reopen on Saturday.

The players

Washington State Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for maintaining and repairing state highways, including State Route 542 which provides access to Mt. Baker Ski Area.

Mt. Baker Ski Area

A popular ski resort located in the North Cascades region of Washington state.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While there is never a good time for the highway to be shut down during the season, we appreciate WSDOT and their contractor working with us and scheduling this necessary work during a time that will be least impactful to our operations and public access. We would like to thank all our partners at WSDOT for their hard work and responsiveness as they have coordinated with us throughout this project. Without them and the work they do for the traveling public, we could not operate the ski area.”

— Mt. Baker Ski Area (Mt. Baker Ski Area website)

What’s next

With the highway reopened, Mt. Baker Ski Area will welcome winter sports enthusiasts to the slopes starting on Saturday.

The takeaway

The timely repair of the Mount Baker Highway demonstrates the importance of state transportation agencies working closely with local businesses and recreation providers to ensure critical infrastructure is maintained, especially during the winter season when access is crucial for the local economy.