Same Baker Stoke, New Wings: Mt. Baker Ski Area Unveils First Logo Redesign in 25 Years

Ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 winter season, Washington’s legendary Mt. Baker Ski Area has revealed a brand-new visual identity. The update marks the ski area’s first major logo overhaul since 2001, replacing a design that had stood as the mountain's centerpiece for a quarter of a century.

Known globally for record-breaking snowfall, steep terrain, and an unpolished, independent ethos, Mt. Baker has long resisted corporate trends. The newly unveiled logo honors that rugged legacy while giving the brand a cleaner, modernized aesthetic centered around the mountain's most famous avian resident: the raven.

Crafting a Modern Classic from Local Roots

The new emblem was designed by Terra Johnston, a Bellingham local who grew up snowboarding at Mt. Baker and now serves as the ski area’s lead graphic designer.

When tasked with replacing a 25-year-old staple, Johnston was given a remarkably concise brief consisting of just two non-negotiable rules: it had to feature Mt. Baker, and it had to feature a raven.

Despite having created mountain signage, pass graphics, and merchandise for Baker over the years, starting from scratch proved to be a deliberate challenge. Johnston drew creative inspiration from three distinct sources:

• The entrance raven sculpture situated at the White Salmon parking lot.

• Vintage typography pulled directly from Mt. Baker’s 1988–2000 logo era.

• Observational study, including frame-by-frame analysis of raven flight videos to capture authentic wing geometry.

In the final composition, Mt. Baker’s familiar peak is drawn seamlessly as the wing of a raven as the bird points east toward the mountain itself.

The Raven: Baker's Unofficial Mascot

In the Pacific Northwest ski community, ravens are far more than opportunistic wildlife—they are a symbol of the wild, untamed Cascades.

At Mt. Baker, ravens are woven into the physical layout and culture of the mountain. The mid-mountain day lodge, Raven Hut, features custom raven sculptures crafted by renowned Pacific Northwest artist and naturalist Tony Angell.

The design process also included input from former General Manager Duncan Howat, who led the resort from 1968 until 2024 and personally designed Mt. Baker’s second logo iteration decades ago. Howat, a long-time advocate of raven symbolism, helped ensure the new visual direction stayed true to the spirit of the mountain.

Decades of Visual Identity

Since opening its doors in the 1950s, Mt. Baker has seen seven distinct logo iterations. The latest design bridges generations of local history, blending late-20th-century nostalgia with 21st-century graphic clarity.

• 1950s Initial resort branding focused on simple mountain outlines and classic mid-century typography following the opening of early lift infrastructure.

• 1968 General Manager Duncan Howat designs the second iteration of the resort logo, introducing early mountain iconology that lasted nearly two decades.

• 1988 The ski area shifts to a stylized script text logo—a typographic design that would later serve as direct inspiration for the 2026 font revival.

• 2001 Mt. Baker launches the logo that would define the resort through the modern powder boom, remaining essentially unchanged (aside from a minor 2016 tweak) for 25 years.

• 2026 Terra Johnston unveils the 7th iteration, merging the raven's wing directly into the profile of Mt. Baker.

Rollout & Launch Party

Mt. Baker is making sure season pass holders are the first to wear the new look. Current 2026/27 pass holders will automatically receive a hat featuring the new logo mailed alongside their winter season passes.

Skiers and riders looking to celebrate the new season early can get a first look at official merchandise during Mt. Baker's season launch party at Kulshan Brewing in Bellingham on September 10, 2026.