Alpental Ski Area – Summit at Snoqualmie

Featured Image Caption: Front side of Alpental from a drone.

Overview

Alpental - Summit at Snoqualmie
Alpental - Summit at Snoqualmie

Alpental is one of the four Snoqualmie Summit Ski areas.  It is a small ski mountain with steep terrain.  It has the largest drop of all the Snoqualmie Summit Ski Areas.  The summit is at 5420 ft and the base is at 3140 ft.  This makes for a 2280 ft vertical drop.  There are lots of chutes and trees.  Night skiing is available.  Since the base at Alpental is higher than the base at the other Summit at Snoqualmie areas, and the summit is MUCH higher, the snow is deeper.  So it gets the name “Steepest and Deepest”.  On a clear day, you can easily see Mt. Rainier from the summit.

There are three places to eat at Alpental: the Tiroler Stube, Backcountry Bar, and the Powder House.  Alpental Sports is onsite for shopping.  

Lifts and Trails

Riding the Lift on a Fine Spring Day
Riding the Lift on a Fine Spring Day. You can see all the way back to Snoqualmie Pass and Keechelus Lake.

Alpental has 5 lifts: one quad chair, 3 double chairs, and a surface lift.  

2018 - 2019 Alpental Ski Area Trail Map
2018 - 2019 Alpental Ski Area Trail Map

Alpental has only one beginner trail – the St Bernard Trail on the right hand side of the skiing area.  This is accessible from the St. Bernard chair lift or the Magic Carpet surface lift.  If you are a beginner, you might have more fun at Summit West which has much more for beginners and intermediates.  

Spring Ski Run after a few inches of new snow
Spring Ski Run after a few inches of new snow
Night Skiing
Night Skiing

For intermediates, you have the Sessel Lift and Armstrong Express Quad Lift.  There are two trails marked intermediate. 

As you can see from the trail map, most of the terrain at Alpental is expert.  The entire area accessed by the Edelweiss Chair (or “Chair 2”) is marked “expert”.  There is a Back Bowl area which you must obtain permission to enter and use.

Access to the Back Bowl
Access to the Back Bowl
Double Diamond off Chair 2
Double Diamond off Chair 2
The Slot
The Slot
Mt Rainier from Summit of Chair 2
Mt Rainier from Summit of Chair 2

Ski and Snowboard Rentals

Alpental has a ski and snowboard rental shop.  It opens at 8am.  Equipment is designed for beginner to intermediate skiiers and snowboarders.  In 2018-2019, a full rental package  was $45 for the day or $40 just for the evening.  Alpental only also has the option to rent performance skis or snowboards for a slightly higher price.

Another option is to rent your equipment in North Bend from Pro Ski and Mountain Service.  

Dining and Shop at Alpental

Tiroler Stube

Serves fresh pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads.  There is beer on tap.  

Backcountry Bar

For Apres-ski – serves beers, spirits, and pizza by the slice.  Adults only, please.

Powder House

Serves beers from local breweries and fresh tacos, burritos, and bowls.

Alpental Sports

Alpental Sports sells apparel, gifts as well as necessities for winter and skiing.  It’s located in the first floor of the Alpental Lodge.  It’s open whenever Alpental is open.

Location, Parking, and Lift Tickets

Location

From North Bend, get on I-90 Eastbound and proceed to Snoqualmie Pass.  Take Exit 52 (Summit West).  Turn left and cross under the freeway.  Take the second right (towards Alpental ski area) and proceed to the end of the road, about 1 1/4 miles to the Alpental parking lots.

Parking

Parking is free for all guests at the four Summit At Snoqualmie Ski Areas.  There is more parking than at any other Washington ski resort.  Plus there is a shuttle that runs through all the four areas, overflow parking, and the tubing center.  

Alpental has several parking lots: lower lot, main lot, and lots 1-2-3 and 4.  Lot 3 is only for overnight parking.  Check the trail map for the locations.  There is an entry bridge from the main lot over the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River to the main lodge and lifts.

Alpental Parking Lots and Entry Bridge
Alpental Parking Lots and Entry Bridge
Entry Bridge
Entry Bridge

Lift Tickets

There are numerous options for lift tickets.  Season passes for the following season go on sale during the summer at the Summit at Snoqualmie website.  Daily lift tickets go on sale in Autumn as the season approaches. 

Lift tickets ALWAYS cost less online even when you buy the day of the visit.  The full price at the window for an adult in 2018-2019 was $89 for an adult.  But prices are dynamic and sometimes there are significant deals online if you look in the right place and book well ahead.  Half day tickets are not much less than a full day.  Check various websites for the best deals.  Weekends will likely cost a little more than weekdays.  Most lift tickets are good at all four Summit at Snoqualmie areas.  

Note that Alpental is generally closed on Mondays.  Tuesday thru Friday it’s open 9am – 10pm.  Saturday and Sunday are open 9 – 5 (no night skiing).