About

Discover Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass is a ski resort in the Cascade Mountains, on the border of King County and Kittitas County in Washington State. It is the closest skiing area to Seattle, about an hour away. At 3,015 feet, Snoqualmie Pass is Seattle's closest access to winter recreation. The Summit at Snoqualmie resort consists of four ski areas, which were created as separate resorts, but merged over the years into an interconnected group of bases.

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What to Experience in Snoqualmie Pass

Signs Covered by Snow in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.

Snoqualmie Tunnel

Snowy Forest in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.

a vase of flowers sitting on a bench

Snowy Trees in Forest in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.

green trees beside river during daytime

The sun is setting over the mountains and trees

A group of people standing on top of a lush green forest

green trees near lake during daytime

brown and green mountains under white sky during daytime

Cuisine

Taste of Snoqualmie Pass...

For a popular ski resort, there is surprisingly little lodging nearby. Most skiers come for the day from around Seattle. The nearest towns with hotels are North Bend, Cle Elum, and Roslyn. There are private cabins near Alpental and Hyak, some of which may be available as short-term rentals. The Cascades see significant snow accumulation during the winter, which persists well into the summer. Avalanches trigger frequently, especially during warming periods. If you're venturing past the boundaries of the actively-maintained resort, refer to the Northwest Avalanche Center for current avalanche information. The Cascades are habitat for black bears. There have been fewer than a dozen bear attacks in Washington in the last century, but hikers need to know about bear safety. Ask a park ranger for local advice. Explore the other ski resorts in the Washington Cascades: Snoqualmie Pass is on the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

Plan Your Trip

Essential Information

Getting There

Multiple Options

Interstate 90 (I-90) is the only road through the pass, connecting Seattle (55 miles west) to Ellensburg (50 miles east) and Spokane. Exit 52 is near Alpental and Summit West, Exit 53 is near Summit Central, and Exit 54 (Hyak) is near Summit East. In the summer, traffic can be a problem during major holiday weekends. In the winter months, heavy fog, rain, and snow are all commonplace. I-90 stays open during the winter, but sometimes closes during storms or for avalanche control. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation for winter travel information. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) extends along the west coast of the United States, from Mexico to Canada. Snoqualmie Pass is an important supply stop between two of the more remote sections of trail. During ski season, several ski buses leave in the morning from Seattle, Bellevue, and North Bend, and return in the afternoon. During ski season, Summit at Snoqualmie runs the free Summit Shuttle between the main bases....

Travel Tips

Getting Around & Staying

Getting Around

During ski season, Summit at Snoqualmie runs the free Summit Shuttle between the main bases. The Summit at Snoqualmie ski resort features slopes for all levels, beginner to advanced. Nights skiing is also available. Washington State Parks maintains several Sno-Parks near Snoqualmie Pass, with cleared parking lots and groomed trails popular for winter hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. These require a Sno-Park Permit. There are five permit types, largely based on how much plowing the state provides at the park. The Snoqualmie Pass area is a gateway to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, containing a series of jagged peaks and small lakes. These peaks and lakes make for excellent climbing, hiking, and camping. Some trailheads to the south are along the Palouse to Cascades State Park. State Parks require a pass to park at. The Discover Pass is $10 a day, or $30 a year.

Where to Stay

For a popular ski resort, there is surprisingly little lodging nearby. Most skiers come for the day from around Seattle. The nearest towns with hotels are North Bend, Cle Elum, and Roslyn. There are private cabins near Alpental and Hyak, some of which may be available as short-term rentals. The Cascades see significant snow accumulation during the winter, which persists well into the summer. Avalanches trigger frequently, especially during warming periods. If you're venturing past the boundaries of the actively-maintained resort, refer to the Northwest Avalanche Center for current avalanche information. The Cascades are habitat for black bears. There have been fewer than a dozen bear attacks in Washington in the last century, but hikers need to know about bear safety. Ask a park ranger for local advice. Explore the other ski resorts in the Washington Cascades: Snoqualmie Pass is on the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

Money & Budget

There are few shops and services other than the ski resort. For a popular ski resort, there is surprisingly little lodging nearby. Most skiers come for the day from around Seattle. The nearest towns with hotels are North Bend, Cle Elum, and Roslyn. There are private cabins near Alpental and Hyak, some of which may be available as short-term rentals. The Cascades see significant snow accumulation during the winter, which persists well into the summer. Avalanches trigger frequently, especially during warming periods. If you're venturing past the boundaries of the actively-maintained resort, refer to the Northwest Avalanche Center for current avalanche information. The Cascades are habitat for black bears.

Stay Safe

Safety Information

Safety Overview

The Cascades see significant snow accumulation during the winter, which persists well into the summer. Avalanches trigger frequently, especially during warming periods. If you're venturing past the boundaries of the actively-maintained resort, refer to the Northwest Avalanche Center for current avalanche information. The Cascades are habitat for black bears. There have been fewer than a dozen bear attacks in Washington in the last century, but hikers need to know about bear safety. Ask a park ranger for local advice. Explore the other ski resorts in the Washington Cascades: Snoqualmie Pass is on the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

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