About Alpental, Snoqualmie Pass, Washington Click here to see lodging list

Alpental may be the most popular ski area in Washington State. It doesn't have the most skiers, although it has plenty of devoted downhillers. It doesn't have the fancy restaurants or all night bars but it has good food and friendly pubs. And it doesn't have the largest number of skiable terrain acres. But it does have world class steep slopes, good snow every year and is just a 50 minute drive from downtown Seattle.

On the other hand, it is a world away from metropolitan Seattle. Surrounded by immense mountains the base area is easily accessible up Interstate Five, has plenty of parking and downtown workers can be on the slopes in under an hour. Plus Alpental offers night skiing too which means those same folks can run up and back, have pizza a beer and be back home snug in their beds before midnight.

But Alpental is more than just skiing. Surrounded by true alpine terrain the area offers miles and miles of hiking, crystal clear rivers and an entrance into the Cascade Crest trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. Hearty Northwesterners bike, hike, snow shoe, fish and just plain get away from it all in the Alpental area.

Built in the late 1960's there are about 100 vacation homes and four large condo buildings up the Alpental road. Skiers love to stay in the condos because it is just an easy walk to the slopes. Or they can just stay in and read by the fireplace. The scenery is spectacular and green and clean.