Thursday, October 1, 2026
WENATCHEE — After three consecutive second-place finishes, Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort has climbed to the top of The Seattle Times’ annual ranking of Pacific Northwest ski areas.
Mission Ridge was named the Gold winner for Best Ski Hill/Resort in the 2026 Best in the PNW contest, ending Crystal Mountain Resort’s three-year run atop the category. Crystal Mountain, located near Mount Rainier in Enumclaw, received Silver this year.
The two resorts have occupied the category’s top two positions throughout the contest’s four-year history. Crystal Mountain received Gold and Mission Ridge received Silver in 2023, 2024 and 2025 before the order reversed this year.
“Winning this award is an incredible honor and a testament to our amazing team,” Mission Ridge Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Matt Neubauer said. “We love our community and it means a lot to know so many of you choose Mission Ridge as a place to make memories with family and friends.”
The recognition follows a difficult 2025–2026 ski season marked by limited natural snowfall. Mission Ridge relied heavily on snowmaking, grooming and surface management to maintain skiable terrain, eventually concluding its season April 5 after pausing weekday operations ahead of its final weekend to preserve the remaining snowpack.
Neubauer credited employees across the resort for the recognition, including crews working overnight to make snow and groom terrain, along with lift operators and parking staff greeting visitors.
“We strive to treat each day like it’s someone’s first day at Mission Ridge and make sure your first day is just the beginning,” he said.
More than 1 million votes were cast across all categories in this year’s Best in the PNW contest, which recognizes businesses, destinations and attractions throughout the region.
Winners were announced Sept. 20 in the 2026 Best in the PNW Winner’s Magazine, published as an insert in the Sunday edition of The Seattle Times.
“There are a lot of great mountains in the Northwest, and we’re proud to stand alongside them,” Mission Ridge Chief Marketing Officer Tony Hickok said. “This recognition tells us that Mission Ridge’s incredible on-snow experience and vibrant community are really resonating with people across the region.”
Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media
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