WHITE PASS – Skiers and snowboarders will have a white Christmas after all. Just 14 days after catastrophic slope failures closed US 12 over White Pass, the Washington State Department of Transportation is pleased to announce the highway will reopen 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22. Crews face some challenges with heavy snow in the forecast, but feel strongly, this reopening is possible.

Barring unforeseen circumstances White Pass Ski Area will be open for full operation of both Alpine and Nordic facilities beginning Wednesday, Dec. 23. It is likely that access for those staying at the Village Inn and in the White Pass RV parking lot will have access late Tuesday afternoon.

When US 12 reopens, a traffic light will direct traffic through a single lane near the repaired areas both east and west of the pass. Drivers can expect minor delays. Semi trucks (truck-trailer combinations) will be prohibited.

Work on US 12 is not complete. In the spring, a permanent fix will be built and completed by the summer.

US 12 closed on Dec. 9 when torrential rains saturated the hillside causing washouts and rockslides both east and west of White Pass.

WSDOT thanks contractor Granite Construction and subcontractor DBM for their commitment and hard work reopening this highway.