I got my AIARE Level 1 in Februrary of 2024 and did some ski tours in the Wasatch that year. For the 2025 season I found myself in Seattle, and with Henk and Anna finally having done their Level 1 as well, we decided to get out there. Given the relatively inexperienced group, we stuck primarily to low-angle beginner terrain to build our skills.

Since the following tours are relatively short, this page is structured more as an overview of areas rather than individual trip reports.

Snoqualmie Pass

Kendall Trees

Park at the Summit West parking area (check online for current fees/reservation requirements), walk under the highway towards Alpental, and proceed up the PCT to Kendall Knob.

Two skiers skinning up a gentle slope — Henk and Duffy headed into the woods

I enjoyed seeing the stark difference between old- and new-growth trees as we headed up

Short Trees with a foggy backdrop — New and Old on a low-vis day

Much taller trees, with the short trees visible through them — New and Old on a low-vis day

From here it’s possible to drop South and get totally stuck in trees (I did this, don’t do this)…

A dejected splitboarder covered in snow — Duffy less than thrilled by my poor line choice

…Southwest back down near the skin track, or proceed along the ridge a bit and then drop North. We did the latter and found some excellent snow in open trees. This is a good section to lap, as the runs are relatively short - just watch out for other skiers.

A skier decending through open trees — Henk enjoying the tree runs
📷: Duffy

Avoid the cliff bands on skier’s left as you funnel downwards, then hook a sharp left and follow the luge track out. The well-worn out-track often required skating or side-stepping and may thus be difficult for splitboarders.

Uphill Track - My watch died after that 🤷‍♂️

Snoqualmie Resort Uphill Laps

If avalanche danger is high, you want to get some skiing in after work without paying for lifts, or you just want some good training laps on groomers to work on your fitness, Snoqualmie Pass offers uphill travel, including a moderately-well-lit path during nigh-ski hours climber’s left of the Silver Fir chair (although I would still strongly recommend a headlamp). This is probably the most accessible way to get some laps in on a weekday after work with your friends.

Stevens Pass

Yodelin

Park at the Yodelin lot and head East towards Mt. Weird. There is generally a skin track that goes up from the parking lot and around the back of the building, or you can follow the road on the right as you enter the lot. After a few switchbacks you’ll hit a wider road, a long U-turn, and then several more switchbacks. Look out for the large concrete block (I’m guessing this is a remnant of the ski area that used to be here), and continue up onto the ridge.

Two skiers looking into the fog — Duffy and Anna deciding on the route

From here…

For a high-point and some nice turns in barren trees, continue East-Northeast towards Welldigers Ass. I assume there’s more skiing to be had this way, but given our group’s experience we turned around at the top of the burn scar and rode back down the ridge.

A snowy ridge, with barren, tall, and short trees — Looking up the ridge. There are nice open turns to be had in the barren trees, or tighter runs if dropping left.

For some nice laps and tree-skiing, drop left (North) off the ridge snaking through tight trees until you get to old growth. A convenient shelf above the steeper pocket below makes for a nice transition and a quick skin climber’s right back to the ridge. Some maps refer to this area as Center Bowl/Silver Fir.

Duffy about to drop — A nice little drop at the end of the lap

Anna mid-send — A nice little drop at the end of the lap

Once you’re done lapping the bowl, or for the quickest outing, return back down the skin track, cutting straight down on some of the longer switchbacks.

Quick up-and-down

The route described above - out-and-back on the ridge, center bowl laps, back down the skin track