Alpental Ski Area

In the winter there is groomed resort skiing and access to some fantastic backcountry ski routes in the back bowls backcountry and the upper chairs at Alpental Ski Area. In late winter and early spring the slopes are perfect training grounds for practicing ice axe arrest and other snow travel techniques.

Getting there

Take Exit 52 off of I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, and turn northwest onto Alpental Road and follow it to the Alpental parking area (3,100 ft).

information for LEADERS

scheduling & permits

  • Please note that some of the backcountry areas off of the Alpental Ski Area enter the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Wilderness restrictions apply to those areas.
  • If you are scheduling a course field trip, please use the summary section of your activity to note where you will be located within this larger ski area, and contact our Member Services Team to confirm the field trip and any permitting regulations.
  • If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to 12 people.
  • Length: 6.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft
  • 5,400 ft
  • Land Manager: The Summit at Snoqualmie
  • Parking Permit Required: None
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 100
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 100
Map
  • Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass No. 207
  • Green Trails Snoqualmie Pass Gateway No. 207S
  • USGS Snoqualmie Pass
Activities

Upcoming Activities

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Backcountry Skiing Trip
Explore Alpental steeps and backcounty (lift served)
Difficulty: M3 Expert Ski
Tue, Jan 9, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
9 participants on waitlist
Registration closed Nov 18
Foothills Branch
Randy Oakley
Qualified Youth Leader

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Backcountry Skiing Trip
Skier powered touring in the Alpental valley -- outside of the Alpental back bowls permit
Difficulty: M3 Expert Ski
Thu, Jan 11, 2024
Prerequisites, Leader's Permission Required
6 participants on waitlist
Registration closed Nov 18
Foothills Branch
Randy Oakley
Qualified Youth Leader

WCR - Winter Mountaineering - Alpental Ski Area

Climbing Field trip: Winter Mountaineering & Advanced Crevasse Rescue
Full weekend sessions. Snow Anchors & Belays. Snow Camping. Steep Climbing
Sat, Jan 13, 2024 - Sun, Jan 14, 2024
No Prerequisites
0 participants 3 instructors
Registration closes Jan 11
Foothills Branch
Mark Hurst

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Backcountry Skiing Trip
Explore Alpental steeps and backcounty (lift served)
Difficulty: M3 Expert Ski
Tue, Jan 16, 2024
Prerequisites
11 participants on waitlist
Registration closed Nov 18
Foothills Branch
Randy Oakley
Qualified Youth Leader

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Backcountry Skiing Trip
Skier powered touring in the Alpental valley -- outside of the Alpental back bowls permit
Difficulty: M3 Expert Ski
Thu, Jan 18, 2024
Prerequisites
13 participants on waitlist
Registration closed Nov 18
Foothills Branch
Randy Oakley
Qualified Youth Leader

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Backcountry Skiing Trip
Explore Alpental steeps and backcounty (lift served)
Difficulty: M3 Expert Ski
Tue, Jan 23, 2024
Prerequisites
9 participants on waitlist
Registration closed Nov 18
Foothills Branch
Randy Oakley
Qualified Youth Leader

Backcountry Ski/Snowboard - Alpental Backcountry

Backcountry Skiing Trip
Skier powered touring in the Alpental valley -- outside of the Alpental back bowls permit
Difficulty: M3 Expert Ski
Thu, Jan 25, 2024
Prerequisites
11 participants on waitlist
Registration closed Nov 18
Foothills Branch
Randy Oakley
Qualified Youth Leader

Backcountry Touring Field Trip 1 - Alpental Ski Area

Backcountry Skiing Field trip: Backcountry Touring Course
Field Trip 1
Sat, Feb 10, 2024
No Prerequisites
0 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Feb 15
Tacoma Branch
Karl Ertler

WCR - Small Party Rescue - Alpental Ski Area

Climbing Field trip: Winter Mountaineering & Advanced Crevasse Rescue
Snow skills. Best Weather day of the weekend
Sat, Mar 23, 2024 - Sun, Mar 24, 2024
No Prerequisites
0 participants 2 instructors
Registration closes Mar 21
Foothills Branch
Rodrigo Toso
Qualified Youth Leader

WCR - Small Party Rescue - Alpental Ski Area

Climbing Field trip: Winter Mountaineering & Advanced Crevasse Rescue
Snow Scenarios. Best single day (weather) of the weekend
Sat, Apr 6, 2024 - Sun, Apr 7, 2024
No Prerequisites
0 participants 1 instructor
Registration closes Apr 4
Foothills Branch
Rodrigo Toso
Qualified Youth Leader

Seattle MAC - Snow 1 Field Trip - Alpental Backcountry

Youth Youth activity: Mountaineers Adventure Club
The first snow skills field trip for MAC. Covering glacier travel basics - ice-ax self
Sat, Apr 20, 2024
Prerequisites
3 participants on waitlist 0 instructors 1 chaperone on waitlist
Registration closes Apr 11
Seattle Branch
Alvaro Juarez
Qualified Youth Leader
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Alpental Backcountry
Resources

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