The long wait is finally over. Winter in the Northwest has officially begun with the annual opening day at Mt. Baker, Washington. Now a three-year standing tradition for SNOWBOARD Publisher Jeff Baker and I, opening day at Mt. Baker serves as our first day on snow for the season at one of our favorite resorts in the world. Many riders throughout the snowboard community, both locals and those from far away, feel the same way (although most of the locals get a head start and hike before the lifts start running for the season) and opening day always has a good turnout of pros and bros alike. This year was no exception as Nate Lind, Ahmon Stamps Corey Noble, Justin Bemis, Matt Collins, Compta, Casey Neefus, John Laing, Jake Blauvelt, Darrel Mathes, Wille Yli-Luoma and many others didn’t miss the chance to add another notch in the Baker opening day belt.

Although it took a little longer this November than previous years, the 29th was well worth the wait. After a strong storm dumped 17 inches on Tuesday night and Wednesday saw more scattered showers, Thursday was the clearest, coldest Baker opening day in history (at least that’s what I’m claiming). Seriously though, bluebird skies mixed with freezing temps made it one for the record books—this doesn’t happen everyday up here. The snow was perfect and the stage was set for yet another “best day ever” at Baker.

For Portland locals like Stamps and myself, riding Mt. Baker means a long drive up I-5. So we decided to head the night before and bunk at Casey Neefus’ new crib in Bellingham, who was kind enough to offer our crew comfortable accommodations. Justin Bemis and Corey Noble got called in off the bench and snagged seats in Stamps’ truck after attempts at convincing Danny Kass (sales meeting) and Prosser (working late, but ended up catching another ride anyway) to join us failed. They were happy they did too, because this year Baker was not to be missed. After a 2:00 am arrival, we headed out at 7:00 am the next morning from B-Ham and were happy to see plenty of snow covered trees way down from the base of the mountain.

A stop at the new and improved Maple Falls Shell station for breakfast is always a good call, especially since they added a whole new section with produce, snacks and more.

We rolled into the lot just as the cheers from the lift line erupted and the chair started to turn. A quick scramble to suit up and we were on our way, soon to be ripping fresh lines right under the lift.

One run in-bounds was all it took for the snow to get chewed up beyond our liking (meaning we had to cross someone else's track), so we ducked the rope on the next one and got some more virgin turns. Of course, ducking ropes at Mt. Baker is cool—if you have the proper equipment. Peeps, packs and shovels=Mandatory.

Come prepared and you're guaranteed to get turn after turn of light fluffy snow.

Crusing through the gully first was our claim to fame for the morning, and we blazed the trail outta there for the runs to follow.

For about three or four more runs we had it all to ourselves. Justin Bemis gettin' buried.

By noon, braver souls had punched out the boot pack leading up to the Shuksan Arm, and the real out-of-bounds adventure began.

Man, opening day leg cramps were extra painful this year for some reason—I must be getting older.

Getting closer...

We made it!

Jeff Baker arrived a little late after driving up from Seattle in the morning, but showed up just in time to make the first hike.

Corey Noble leading the way down.

This was Baker's first run on a snowboard since his surgery from tearing his Achilles’ Tendon last spring. That's how rehab is supposed to be done: fresh powder and friends.

A couple more hikes up The Arm and we were spent. The epic day was over, and it was time to hit the lodge for another Mt. Baker mandatory: the bread bowl.

Chile or salmon chowder, they're both winners. Bemis chose the latter.

Stamps had this satisfied smile on his face all day long.

And that's how its done my friends. No groomers at Loveland, boxes at Keystone or halfpipes at Copper for my first day of the season...I'll wait for this opening day every time. Special thanks to Gwyn and the entire staff at Mt. Baker for a great start to another wonderful season.