Stevens Pass Snowmobiling?

We all know Steven's Pass is a world class ski area. Known for it's steep, technical slopes and hundreds of inches of crystal light snow it receives yearly. But what you probably didn't know is that during the third week of April every year, Stevens Pass lifts shut down and the mountain's lift-line roar tapers off. The silence is heavenly, the chickadees can be heard for the first time all year and squirrels can be seen scurrying across the ungroomed runs. That is until snowmobilers make their way up to the mountain.
Ever year after the mountain closes, the Mill Creek side of Stevens Pass is opened to the snowmobile community. Snowmobilers park on the east side of the pass in the Nordic Center parking lot, and snowmobile about 5 miles in to the base of the southern cross chair lift. From here they can power up the groomed runs, double black diamonds, and even cruise along the top of the ridge and look down on the front side towards highway 2 and the base area of the ski resort.
I had the opportunity the week after the mountain closed to do just this. It was a fantastic day trip, and we were blessed with over a foot of new snow the night before. I would recommend that if you want to be the first one up the mountain and your from the west side, stay the night before in the Nordic Center parking lot. If you risk getting up after 8:30 a.m., you may not find a spot to park your truck and snowmobile trailer. I stayed the night before in my car, and was on the mountain by 7:45 a.m. the next morning and did not have to worry about the onslaught of traffic filling the parking lot.
If your looking for an excellent day trip with technical terrain and the different setting of a ski area close to home, snowmobiling the back side of Steven's Pass is for you.