Living comfortably in a quaint mountain town with rad skiing just miles away is an unfathomable dream for most winter sports enthusiasts.
The lack of opportunities to find decent work in small mountain towns, not to mention affordable living, can push skiers to compromise their dream of settling down in mountain town dreams. So where do you go ski or get away from the crowds, when you live in a city of millions? Fortunately even in the most crowded centers of North America, just hours away from the hustle and bustle of city life, there exist ski havens whose slopes are legendary
The Seattle > Alpental Commute:
The largest city in Washington is not what many think of as an optimal locale for a ski bum. However just 50 miles from the urban jungle that is Seattle lies the The Summit At Snoqualmie resort complex.
Closest Ski Areas To Seattle:
- Snoqualmie Pass / Alpental (*0:50 drive)
- Stevens Pass (*1:30 drive)
- Crystal Mountain (*1:53 drive)
Within that complex exists, Alpental Ski Area. And although its mountain stats are far from overwhelming, a quick glance at the trail make will quickly remind any doubters that this place is the real deal.
Alpental Mountain Stats:
- Average Annual Snowfall: 434″
- Vertical Drop: 2,280′
- Skiable Acres: 300 acres
- Trails: 24
- Lifts: 5
The Alpental Atmosphere:
When major storms coat the Cascade Mountains with heavy pacific northwest powder, Alpental is a world class destination. The steep fall lines, amble natural features and authentic local vibe is the huge charm of Alpental. If you are looking for thousands of acres to explore, lots of groomer runs or a fancy town, quirky little Alpental might not be your cup of tea .
On weekends throughout the winter, traffic on Interstate 90 swells, as city dwellers exodus for the slopes of the Snoqualmie complex. With a multi-million population in the nearby Seattle metro area (*for better or worse) the Snoqualmie complex is the convenient favorite of weekend warriors.
Looking past wild holiday and busy weekends, Alpental is a relief for its opportunity to ski choice weekday powder.
Timing an epic storm for a couple Alpental ski days is a wise decision for any skier looking to enjoy some of the most varied terrain in WA. Although the ski area only hosts approximately 300 acres of in-bounds terrain, locals are more than happy to make the most of all the gnarly terrain that’s available.
From Edelweiss Bowl to Upper International, rowdy ski lines come in bulk. Add-in the extensive backcountry options available via access gates, and you’ll have a long list of objectives to ski.
So if you find yourself destined for Seattle, for that cousins wedding or on the company business trip, make the effort to squeeze in a day at Alpental. When you’re friends brag about skiing the mega-resorts and their numerous chair lifts, you’ll grin thinking of the beautiful modesty that just 2 two chair lifts and 300 acres can offer. It doesn’t hurt that Alpental averages 434” of snow annually either.
Also watch: Powder Time With Nimbus Independent in 2011 | “Cascadia”
