Snoqualmie Pass, Washington — Perhaps the most interesting lift project we’ve been monitoring this offseason has been the new Chair 2 at Alpental. The new chairlift will improve the experience at one of the toughest ski areas in the region and appears close to completion.
Work on this project actually began in earnest the year prior, and restarted this past spring. Work on the project is trickier than on other lift projects due to its steep, rocky location, which has led to extensive helicopter work. In addition, the snowpack sticks around longer up there, making it trickier to work on. This has resulted in some beautiful photos and videos, with impressive contrasts.
Over the past few weeks, the critical steps of the project have been completed. This includes the haul rope splice and placing the chairs on the line. The haul rope arrived in 2024 due to logistical challenges in bringing it up, so skiers saw it while shredding last winter.
The latest update came earlier this week, showing workers riding the chairlift. It’s not officially complete, as more tests are needed before the public can ride. However, it won’t be long until people can actually get some laps in.
Chairlift Stats
This offseason, Alpental has been working on replacing the old Edelweiss chairlift. A new Doppelmayr triple chairlift has replaced the old Riblet fixed-grip double chairlift. The new fixed-grip chairlift will have a travel time of 500 feet per minute. Edeweiss will have a carrying capacity of 1,395 people per hour, a notable increase over its predecessor. This will result in shorter lift lines and more laps. Edelweiss will service advanced and expert terrain.
This follows the recent additions of the Internationale and Sessel chairs at Alpental, a capacity increase on the Armstrong Express, and other changes at The Summit at Snoqualmie.
I have to imagine this lift will put Alpental on more skiers and riders’ bucket lists, which it deserves to be. Guten tag!
Image/Video Credits: Alpental, @bobby.vision
