The Cascade ski areas are facing insurmountable competition: spring.

“Boating, golfing, kids’ soccer and T-ball,” lamented Jon Pretty, marketing and public relations manager for the Summit at Snoqualmie. “Spring temperatures are here and we’re starting to lose snow.”

Though some higher-elevation ski areas might still have snow falling, operators are closing chairlifts during the next few weeks because people are hanging up their skis for the season.

“All good things must come to an end,” said Crystal Mountain marketing manager Tiana Enger.

This year was average for most ski areas, but stood in stark contrast to the tardy and dry winter snow season a year ago. “We did open the earliest in 10 years this year, with 3 feet of good, sloppy snow – Pacific Northwest Cascade concrete,” Pretty said.

This is the last full week at the Summit at Snoqualmie ski areas. Other areas will close soon. Stevens Pass and Crystal Mountain ski areas close April 11. Mount Baker’s seven chairlifts are on a limited schedule now, and close April 25.

Mount Baker had a slightly above-average snowfall this year. When the snow fell was key.

“It just happened that for all the weekend warrior skiers and snowboarders, it was a good year for snowfall,” said Mount Baker spokeswoman Amy Howat. “Sometimes we have a great snow year, but it happens that all the snow comes mid-week. This year, those who were up on the weekend had great, fantastic days.”