Stevens Pass vs Snoqualmie / Alpental
One clear look at snowfall, elevation, and access, so you know which to ski.
Stevens Pass
WA · 5,845 ft
Snoqualmie / Alpental
WA · 5,400 ft
Side-by-Side
| Metric | Stevens Pass | Snoqualmie / Alpental |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Washington WA | Washington WA |
| Summit elevation | 5,845 ft 4,061 ft base | 5,400 ft 3,010 ft base |
| NWS forecast bias | Pending grade pending | Pending grade pending |
| Season snowfall | 135" 21 storms | 119" 18 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 1.8"/day | 1.8"/day |
| Best storm | 70/100 Epic | 64/100 Epic |
| SNOTEL record | 21 storm-days measured | 18 storm-days measured |
| Community reports | 6 TGR posts | 19 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | SEA | SEA |
| Drive time | 1.5h 78 mi · SEA | 0.83h 47 mi · SEA |
| Access difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Pass | Ikon | Epic |
Snowfall totals come from each resort's tracked storms. NWS forecast grades read “pending” everywhere: six winters of checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct, so we show the raw NWS number and do not grade it.
The Verdict
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie / Alpental and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
Stevens Pass got more snow this season: 135" versus 119" at Snoqualmie / Alpental. Stevens Pass also averaged 1.8"/storm-day.
Snoqualmie / Alpental is the easier trip — about 0.83h from SEA (Seattle), versus 1.5h from SEA for Stevens Pass.
Best for
Stevens Pass — chasing the biggest totals — it out-snowed Snoqualmie / Alpental this season.
Best for
Snoqualmie / Alpental — quick-strike trips — the easier drive at ~0.83h from SEA.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelStevens Pass
US 2 access unreliable during major storms; check WSDOT closures before traveling.
Snoqualmie / Alpental
Storm day skiing best at Baker and Crystal over Alpental.
FAQ
Does Stevens Pass or Snoqualmie / Alpental get more snow?
Stevens Pass got more snow this season: 135" versus 119" at Snoqualmie / Alpental. Stevens Pass also averaged 1.8"/storm-day.
Is Stevens Pass or Snoqualmie / Alpental easier to get to?
Snoqualmie / Alpental is the easier trip — about 0.83h from SEA (Seattle), versus 1.5h from SEA for Stevens Pass.
Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Stevens Pass or Snoqualmie / Alpental?
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie / Alpental and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
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