Summit West at Snoqualmie Summit

I have been to the summit 8 times this season. It is apparent there is a breakdown in communication between mountain operations, and the team that updates your website/​app. Every time, there has been a discrepancy on what runs have been groomed, and what lifts are operational.
Numerous times the Wild side lift is shown as operational, yet when I get to mountain, it’s not running. Moreover, the app/​website routinely show runs as being «groomed» when in actuality it is obvious they have not been.
These discrepancies are disappointing to discover after driving up to the ski areas. It has caused me to lose trust in the information provided by the app and website. There is also an ethics issue here, it seems the website and app always displays mountain operations as significantly more desirable than they actually are.
I encourage management to visit the slopes and compare the actual to what is stated on the website /​app.
I am a season’s pass holder and am seriously considering not renewing due to what appears to be repeatedly posted misleading information on the website and app.

Oh snoqualmie west… will you please invest in a high speed quad and not some magic carpet ride that gets me from the line to the lift? The runs take about 2 minutes to get down and 10 minutes to get up…

I love to give great reviews, but unfortunately this won’t be one of them. I had the worst person help me at the rental service desk. Alyssa T was unfortunately the one that helped us… oops I meant just collected our money. She was probably one of the most unhelpful people I can ever imagine working at anywhere. She was rude and didn’t give a #%*@ about us. It was my first time skiing and I asked her if she would recommend taking the ski lessons. Her reply «I dunno, I never skied before.» In like the rudest way you can imagine while chowing away an apple. So I processed to ask her, «Do beginners usually find it more beneficial?» Her reply «I mean I taught myself how to snowboard. If you have the ability to do that, then you wouldn’t need the lesson.» …do you hate your job or do you just hate us?
So I ended up skiing with no lessons and didn’t even take the lift — it was terrifying. Four hours later, I asked for a lift ticket refund. That’s like $ 58 that I paid and didn’t use. Although they didn’t give refunds, I thought I’ll give it a shot. Another girl asked Alyssa to come back to authorized the refund, and she comes around and reached for the lift ticket I had clipped on my jacket button without warning. Excuuuuseee meeee, you should ask to touch me before you approach me and esp if you’re coming at me with a wire cutter. Jesus that was rude and uncalled for. She scanned my lift ticket and saw I didn’t take the lift at all. «So if you didn’t go on the lift, what did you EVEN do this whole entire time?» I told her I just skied around the bottom & used the magic carpet lift. I can’t even talk to this chick. I can’t even with her rude, resting b!$&@ face, I asked for a manager. Thank you for the refund Chris and actually talking like a human being. I’m sorry for the bad review, but people need to know about this. I also failed to mention that one of the employees at the ski rental was letting another girl without paying for the rental and just filing the form out for them. Some employees you guys have.
Despite the service I got from the employees, I had a great time! I love this place! I really hate to write bad reviews. I know I shouldn’t have expected much service since I’m only here to rent ski equipments but I can’t stand people who are rude and unhelpful.

First time snowboarding in about 15 years and I’m definitely feeling it. This place is great for people wanting to learn and practice. There are tons of classes for both skiing and snowboarding going on all day. The slopes were great except for a few icy spots that I fell on. (Ouch) When I needed to take a break from breaking my body, I went to the bar and Emily was one of the best waitresses I have ever seen. They were short staffed and she was busting her balls taking care of everyone. The only part I didn’t like about this experience is that it seemed every department was short staffed making rentals slow. Overall, pretty fun and tiring. I will be back to shred it again! Send it!!!

The summit is especially nice for those first learning how to ski or snowboard. This is where I first tried snowboarding! They have a good amount of small runs, and a huge selection of rental equipment. The staff are ready to help those who need assistance. I came here with some family who wanted to try snowboarding. Though I am a now avid boarder, I thought this mountain would be perfect! Everyone had a great day, and the whole thing was affordable! It’s so nice being able to drive an hour and feel like you’re somewhere totally different! Parking is a bit hectic so try to get there early if possible. & certainly check ahead for the driving reports on the pass as they change all the time! This is a great place to take family and little ones! Tons of food options and lockers too. Happy boarding!

The day I visited was busy and several staff treated customers very poorly. They really need to provide training on customer service.

This review is for the snowboarding classes that we took. For someone who is awful at balancing, is prone to falling and has never snowboarded, taking a class or three will definitely help. Summit West offers three classes for 149 $. Included are snowboard and shoe rentals. Helmets are additional 12 $.
First and foremost, I want to warn you that the check in area is highly unorganized if you do not print out your voucher. This also goes for when you are picking up your rentals, especially during the second and third day classes. It is very chaotic, almost as if it is their first time ever offering classes,. This is why I rated them four stars for this review.
As far as the instructors, they were really great. Our first day instructor was Paul, whom I highly recommend. Great teacher who teaches you the basics of snowboarding. As I mentioned, I had never snowboarded before and by the end of the class, I was able to do build my confidence up to snowboard down the magic carpet. Granted, there were a few falls but I managed. Our first day class took half a day and it started off at the locker rooms. As far as the second and third day classes, it was more about getting the techniques down from what we learned from the first lesson. Both days were about 1.5 hours long and we met our instructors by the signs. Don’t worry, you will be able to see these signs. Word of advice, make sure to book online the date and time for the second and third day classes 48 hours in advanced. If you book it the night before, it won’t allow it and you will need to do a walk-​in.

Well, here’s the thing with this place. Its great for small kids/​beginners. This is the place for you. They have the magic carpet lift which is excellent for getting your ski-​legs. Problem is, they have group classes and while you are standing in line, the instructors bring the classes to the other side and cut in line — with like a million little kids too! You end up standing in line for 20 minutes just to ski down in 1 minute. Waste of time.
Plus on the areas serviced by magic carpet, its super crowded by the group classes (which consist of a bunch little kids). They are adorable though and most of them at that age ski better than I do!
However, the regular lifts are not bad. You still have the problem of people coming around to the opposite side and cutting in line, and the employees allow it.
On a nice day, this place is crazy busy. Be prepared to wait in line if you need to rent equipment. I’d recommend renting your stuff somewhere in Seattle and then just buying your lift tickets at the windows on the lower level — very short to no line at all for that.
Even on a not so nice day (we went this last time when it was raining and slushy, not optimal conditions) it was still fairly busy.
The upside is that the lift tickets are rather reasonable.

Small… crowded… wet… not much more to say really. Old facilities. The kids seam to like the lessons. The snow is the very definition of ‘cascade concrete’.

For beginners, there isn’t a better mountain! The staff at West is great about slowing down lifts for those of us with little guys just learning. The adults trying to navigate this sport for the first time will enjoy shorter, more forgiving runs! When it’s time to graduate you can traverse to Central where the runs are longer and more challenging. Great place to spend the weekend with family!

For beginning skiers and snowboards or a family with younger children, this is the place to learn. We leave our house in Seattle at 7:30 in the morning and it takes about 45 minutes to get to the parking lot, depending on the weather. Check weather report before leaving in the morning.
Tips:
-$ 10 pay lot towards the left side of the main building and very convenient to Fiorini lesson location. Free for carpoolers 3+ in a car.
–Free lot to the right of the main building, but a slightly longer walk to the base.
–Lunch time is VERY busy. If you are in full day lessons, don’t go to any of the sit down restaurants where you have to order at the table. Pack your lunch and bring it with you (lockers for rent to store stuff, or take your change and stash it under a bench in by Rosita’s restaurant. The walk to the car to get your stuff with eat up a lot of time.
–If you need to buy lunch here, eat at 11 AM, or have someone get a table and order when they open if you have kids in morning lessons. Alternatively, Rosita’s is café style and you should have enough time to order and eat before afternoon classes. It is pricey for very average food.
–To save time, get lift tickets in advance and if you need to rent gear, consider getting a weekend rental at a ski shop and bring it with you.

I’m a beginner and came for the last two days of the season… and the sunniest days of the year. Which was good and bad. Good cuz it’s sunny and warm — duh. Bad cause it was slushy and wet and hard for me to maneuver cause I’m just learning. Also crowded. BUT I had tons of fun nonetheless and it’s gorgeous here. I mostly stayed on the bunny hills, but did do one run on the bigger lift (LOL idk how else to describe it or what the names are). It was challenging for me, but still fun.
We hung out on Cinco de Mayo and it was a blast. My hubby dressed up for the costume contest. He boarded around all day in his ape suit. Haha. Tho he did not win, he had a great time monkeying around ;)
PS — They have a MEAN Bloody Mary here. It’s insanely stuffed with beans, pepperoncinis, asparagus, and pearl onions. It’s a meal. Ha! Yum.
I’ve only ever been to Steven’s in WA, which I prefer, but this place is great and close to Seattle.

This mountain is a gem — located just an hour from downtown Seattle or 40min from issaquah, WA, it’s surprisingly diverse in its terrain. Like all mountains, there’s beginner and intermediate terrain but Alpental is reknowned for its expert terrain. They rank right up there with some of the more famous ones in the lower 48 and the backcountry (which is lift accessible) is incredibly vast and challenging so if you have backcountry safety gear, bring it. This year, they’re open the last sat. and sun. of April and even Cinco de Mayo weekend — and with over 200″ of snow pack, they’ve got more snow than any other open resort (except Mt. Baker, also in WA). They’ve pretty much remained #2 in snow pack all this spring (even beating out AK). there are no lift lines whatsoever during the spring (except maybe on ⁵⁄₅) because folks transition to other outdoors sports here. Makes spring the best time to visit. See what this place is like in this video taken last weekend — amazing!

The most beautiful scenery from a resort in Washington. (if you go up chair 2)

Shwoop, shwoop, shwoop! SO. MUCH. FUN.
First of all, it doesn’t really ever get too crowded. Worst case scenario you’re in line for 7 minutes, most of which you need to regain your breath from a heavy, Washington-​snow run anyway! If you’re an expert (or even just a daredevil who can find a way down), go up to Chair 2. Down at the bottom Armstrong Express is okay if you’re intermediate or just want a good warm-​up before heading on up top. But Sessel and St. Bernard are definitely more beginner level runs.
The place is beautiful of course. There are phenomenal streams beneath the chair up to Armstrong, trees that seem to have been stolen from the set of «The Grinch» reside under Chair 2, and a bunch of colorfully bundled kiddos crash around all over St. Bernard.
The lodge is great. There are heaters around to dry gear off during lunch, and usually finding a table is effortless. The vegetarian chili is awesome and the burgers always seem to be a hit. But seriously, don’t spend too much time in there, GET BACK OUT THERE!

i great beginners mountain. very simple runs and the closest mountain if you live in the more centralized seattle area. if you are a more expert skier — alpental is a bettter place to be than west summit. if you feel you’re a bit more advanced than the standard runs at west — you can head to east summit for a bit more challenging (but short) runs and even a snow park.
not into boarding or skiing? snoqualmie also offers a few dining choices along the highway as well as an inner tubing park for the little ones.

What Brian said, don’t ever come here its horrible. Stay on the groomed nice slopes of Summit E, W, or central and go do some jibs in the park. It is way better over there.
In the wise words of Brian L: «Whatever you do, don’t come to Alpental»

Alpental is terrible. You should never come here. Ever. Stay as far away as possible. I hear Summit West is awesome. You should go there instead.
Whatever you do, don’t come to Alpental.

After 20 inches of snow in 24 hours I don’t think you could give a mountain anything less then 5 stars.
This is an awesome mountain, more skiers then boarders, not a easy (green circle) run on the mountain.
Not the largest mountain but it is easy to get lost, which for me is alot of fun… skiing the trees and finding powder!
Lines were not bad at all, less then 10 minuets each time, except for the two seat-​er taking you to the top.
Always more fun when you go with good people! I was lucky enough to have a good ski buddie!
I hope to be back one more time this year and probably getting a seasons pass next year. Without Alpental I would NEVER go to Snoqualmie even though it is 45 minuets closer then any other mountain.

Hate all you want — but I would argue that Alpental is some of the most challenging skiing terrain in the state.
With a vertical drop of something like 2,500 feet and over 400 inches of fresh powder a year… I can’t believe that this mountain isn’t packed! How is it that I can come up here on a saturday near Christmas, find a spot in the parking lot, and not wait in line for a high speed quad?!?
I nearly Unilocaled my pants when I learned that there was already 800 plus acres of open backcountry accessible from chair 2… and that you could obtain a FREE bc-​card to enjoy all this powdery untouched goodness!
Here’s what gets me — there is a chair that offers ONLY black and «double black» runs. (I will say that I think we all should step back and analyze exactly what constitutes these «double blacks.» no need to hand out diamonds like candy.)
Yes — it’s small. But this being said, it’s less than an hour from Seattle proper, and it only costs $ 48 for a pass from 9am-​5pm! Do it. do it.