It turns out that the Snoqualmie ski area is bedecked in flood lamps and is open for skiing until 10pm most nights. Snoqualmie is also comparably close to Microsoft (45 minute drive), so leaving immediately after work to hit the slopes for a few hours is totally within the realm of possibility. And, it's cheap. Bonus.
So I (and a bunch of friends from work) went last night and had a great time hitting the slopes—and then hitting the bar afterward for lots of drinks.
The only thing to note about Snoqualmie is that the snow is ... different. Since Snoqualmie is thousands (thousands!) of feet lower than other local ski areas like Stevens Pass or Crystal Mountain, it gets a lot more moisture, which tends to make the snow less like powder and more like gravel. Most of the runs are fine, but the consistency is definitely different from drier ski areas. Oh, and the mountain we hit last night (Alpental) is really groomed for skiiers (not snowboarders), so riding a single stick down the mountain is ... challenging.
Glad to hear it was . . . fun. I miss elevation change.
You'd think so...until you're at the top of the mountain looking out over the abyss.
At that point, elevation change maybe not so great.