Edelweiss Chair and beyond... Alpental , The valley and the rest of snocrummy

[Yonder_River]

Was up there yesterday as well and saw the lift. Still have mixed thoughts on it.

It's a bit of a zoo with lift construction, hiker traffic, work being done on the condos and what I assume is sewer or water pipe replacement along the road. Beauty of a day in the valley though.

[dangerdad]

Still odd to see that treeless line up Felsen .... now with towers! Should have taken a picture.

Also lol at the food trucks taking advantage of Snow Lake parking mayhem

[californiagrown]

Still odd to see that treeless line up Felsen .... now with towers! Should have taken a picture.

Also lol at the food trucks taking advantage of Snow Lake parking mayhem

Looks like they have all the towers in now.

Was up thereish last weekend. ate some mushrooms and got an alpine start to see the sun rise over the valley. We really are lucky to have such natural beauty so close in to a major metro, and with really easy access. Where i was, at the time i was there, was not crowded at all. Quite nice.

[californiagrown]

In case anyone was wondering, snapped a photo of where exactly the new international chair has been installed.

[AK47bp]

I’m excited for this new chair. The area directly below the top of the chair looks like a gaper meat grinder


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[puma]

I’m excited for this new chair. The area directly below the top of the chair looks like a gaper meat grinder


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I am too. Outside of terrain it will access "easier" (I think) it will have to help from a capacity perspective.

As for the meat grinder comment, I agree. There are certainly some areas where many will end up that should not be there. Prior to this, Nash\Upper International was a filter to keep some out. How many will now see the chair, jump on it, see the snake dance gate, charge through it, and then drop fall line off that traverse seeing all those beautiful freshies to be had... (That comment was based on direct experience dating back to my young\dumb college days at Mt Baker where there are many examples of fresh tracks being fresh for a reason...)

[californiagrown]

I am too. Outside of terrain it will access "easier" (I think) it will have to help from a capacity perspective.

As for the meat grinder comment, I agree. There are certainly some areas where many will end up that should not be there. Prior to this, Nash\Upper International was a filter to keep some out. How many will now see the chair, jump on it, see the snake dance gate, charge through it, and then drop fall line off that traverse seeing all those beautiful freshies to be had... (That comment was based on direct experience dating back to my young\dumb college days at Mt Baker where there are many examples of fresh tracks being fresh for a reason...)

Yep. Alpental capacity is limited by parking, and it regularly reaches capacity. An extra chair to access upper mountain should do wonders for the lift lines. I'm excited for it.


I understand why folks think the new chair's location will be a liability problem. Buuuuut, there are a shitton of things at alpental that would already make a lawyer cringe. I think the prevailing thought is that because hazards, cliffs, sketchy BC'esque terrain and conditions are so common place and many times unsigned, that people are at least somewhat cautious and dont expect everything to be signed and bubblewrapped. For the amount of dangerous terrain/conditions that are easily accessible, there are remarkably few problems (i did not say none). Hopefully, they dont change terrain management strategies up too much to the detriment of experts, but im sure there will be a large learning curve for everyone the first year.

[2Harsh]

"Alpental capacity is limited by parking, and it regularly reaches capacity."

I noticed one of the benefits included with the new Alpental Plus Pass is "parking during the winter season". Could a parking reservation system for Alpy be coming this winter?

[californiagrown]

"Alpental capacity is limited by parking, and it regularly reaches capacity."

I noticed one of the benefits included with the new Alpental Plus Pass is "parking during the winter season". Could a parking reservation system for Alpy be coming this winter?

Im hopeful it will be the same program they have had the last few years where Lot 4 is for passholder only (they just need to staff the checkpoints). Also, keep in mind that they didnt garauntee you parking at alpental... they just guaranteed you parking at the Summit at Snoqualmie. You never know though, maybe filling out all those surveys about crowds and parking clusterfucks is finally paying off and they will be significantly limiting day and Ikon tickets this year?

[2Harsh]

Good point about the guaranteed parking. I see now that both the LTD and Summit passes also list winter parking as an included benefit this winter.

[puma]

Yep. Alpental capacity is limited by parking, and it regularly reaches capacity. An extra chair to access upper mountain should do wonders for the lift lines. I'm excited for it.


I understand why folks think the new chair's location will be a liability problem. Buuuuut, there are a shitton of things at alpental that would already make a lawyer cringe. I think the prevailing thought is that because hazards, cliffs, sketchy BC'esque terrain and conditions are so common place and many times unsigned, that people are at least somewhat cautious and dont expect everything to be signed and bubblewrapped. For the amount of dangerous terrain/conditions that are easily accessible, there are remarkably few problems (i did not say none). Hopefully, they dont change terrain management strategies up too much to the detriment of experts, but im sure there will be a large learning curve for everyone the first year.

I'm far from a seasoned rider at Alpental, so not sure. I've certainly taken a more cautious approach. My thought was Snake Dance and Felson for those who have never been there (Due to the get down Nash first requirement). I too hope they do not change policy or openings because of it. Regardless...cannot wait for winter!!!

[CHAIR_97]

My favorite thing about Alpental is how little it has changed my whole life.

I'm both excited and disappointed.

Now we wait

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[californiagrown]

My favorite thing about Alpental is how little it has changed my whole life.

I'm both excited and disappointed.

The difference in crowding from when i moved here 10 years ago, to the post-covid years has been REALLY noticeable to me. Weekday powder mornings used to be the same 40 faces, with another 40 wildcards showing up. Weekends used to be full, but the last few years if you didnt showup by 8:30 you didnt get to park. Now its a complete zoo every weekend.

I love the brownbag, laidback, minimalist vibe of Alpental... all killer no filler, no frills. But, i really think this chair was needed because between the parking situation, and getting in 2 laps before noon on weekends (or powder weekdays for that matter) because of Chair 2 crowds, i was getting really bummed. I think this chair was the best way to positively address the crowding issues, without impacting the vibe of the place. It was either put in this chair, or start restricting access (which hurts the bottom line and would never happen). Time will tell though, i guess.

[Buster Highmen]

Choose your density: in the lift line or on slope.

I'd rather not repeat; I don't have a lot of good to say about it.

[CHAIR_97]

The difference in crowding from when i moved here 10 years ago, to the post-covid years has been REALLY noticeable to me. Weekday powder mornings used to be the same 40 faces, with another 40 wildcards showing up. Weekends used to be full, but the last few years if you didnt showup by 8:30 you didnt get to park. Now its a complete zoo every weekend.

I love the brownbag, laidback, minimalist vibe of Alpental... all killer no filler, no frills. But, i really think this chair was needed because between the parking situation, and getting in 2 laps before noon on weekends (or powder weekdays for that matter) because of Chair 2 crowds, i was getting really bummed. I think this chair was the best way to positively address the crowding issues, without impacting the vibe of the place. It was either put in this chair, or start restricting access (which hurts the bottom line and would never happen). Time will tell though, i guess.

You literally just described the change we have seen since the iklown show became part of the alpy regimen. Get rid of the Fairweather crystal kooks and the lines become bearable again.

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[Mofro261]

I might have different recollections of massive lift lines on Powder Tues going back far beyond 10 yrs ago. Those 40/40 people powder days really only happened when the pass was closed and they ran anyway, and sleeper days still line up when the socials aren't prelit or Alpental under reports vs. Xtal or anywhere else close by.

But truthfully there was never a full lot 1, with overflow parking well down the road, and a food truck posted up just for the Snow Lk trailhead all summer- prior to 5-10 yrs ago. That's just not Ikon, there really are a metric fuckton more people out there trying to enjoy nature year round.

[Buster Highmen]

Y Get rid of the Fairweather crystal kooks and the lines become bearable again.

Hey! Fuck you!!

[puma]

That's just not Ikon, there really are a metric fuckton more people out there trying to enjoy nature year round.

I don't have the length of experience you all have here at this gem, but I'd agree with this for sure. Many more people in the area. Add to that, a massive increase of "working" from home, and it's just busier. Seems like this is not just a problem at Alpental. IKON undoubtedly did not help, but it is not THE cause. In the end, it does not really matter I guess. The lines are here. Hopefully this helps.

One thing we can all agree on, bring it on. It will be nice to discuss from real-world experience while harvesting glorious turns...and not speculating on what may be.

[Buster Highmen]

more moguls. yay.

[AK47bp]

Maybe the Alpental Chef will finally add a nice soup to the menu, or a bread bowl for their fartbag fuel.


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[HappyCamper]

The expanded schedule is a plus for me - Mondays for me at Alpental - and convincing the kids to play hooky and hit Hyak on Fridays. I think that is just for Jan/Feb.

[Dromond]

The difference in crowding from when i moved here 10 years ago, to the post-covid years has been REALLY noticeable to me. Weekday powder mornings used to be the same 40 faces, with another 40 wildcards showing up. Weekends used to be full, but the last few years if you didnt showup by 8:30 you didnt get to park. Now its a complete zoo every weekend.

I love the brownbag, laidback, minimalist vibe of Alpental... all killer no filler, no frills. But, i really think this chair was needed because between the parking situation, and getting in 2 laps before noon on weekends (or powder weekdays for that matter) because of Chair 2 crowds, i was getting really bummed. I think this chair was the best way to positively address the crowding issues, without impacting the vibe of the place. It was either put in this chair, or start restricting access (which hurts the bottom line and would never happen). Time will tell though, i guess.

I feel the same way. There are some many more people wanting to go skiing. It's the same all over the region, but it hurts the most when you are waiting in line IMO.

I might have different recollections of massive lift lines on Powder Tues going back far beyond 10 yrs ago. Those 40/40 people powder days really only happened when the pass was closed and they ran anyway, and sleeper days still line up when the socials aren't prelit or Alpental under reports vs. Xtal or anywhere else close by.

But truthfully there was never a full lot 1, with overflow parking well down the road, and a food truck posted up just for the Snow Lk trailhead all summer- prior to 5-10 yrs ago. That's just not Ikon, there really are a metric fuckton more people out there trying to enjoy nature year round.

I remember some long lines ten years ago, but I think the number of days per year that happens and the length of time is lasts during the day is drastically higher than it used to be. The number of runs per day on a weekday powder day can be like 6.

more moguls. yay.

At this point you often have to wait in a long line to ski 100% moguls on a weekend. Can you have 110% moguls?

[BaseFloopy]

All you guys need to do is call Crustal and ask about how to add more parking capacity - All problems solved !!!1!!1!
Plus they will probably throw in some tips on how to improve your arrival experience.

[Norseman]

improve your arrival experience

enlightenment is a 16-stall shitter dungeon

[Buster Highmen]

At this point you often have to wait in a long line to ski 100% moguls on a weekend. Can you have 110% moguls?

On Stokes, Wall Street and Elevator gate goods?

Point being, you choose your densities.