Stevens Pass — Attraction in Leavenworth

Nestled just 1.5 to 2 hours away from Seattle, Everett, and Bellevue, Stevens Pass offers a convenient escape into the snowy wonderland of the Cascade Mountains. However, despite its proximity to major cities, navigating the US2 traffic can be a challenge, especially on the return journey, where congestion is common, particularly on weekends.

From Everett, the traffic often grinds to a halt from Monroe onward, so it's advisable to plan ahead and leave early to avoid delays. Once at Stevens Pass, however, the experience is nothing short of exhilarating.

While ticket prices have seen an increase since Vail purchased Stevens Pass, the skiing experience remains top-notch. The resort boasts well-maintained slopes and a variety of runs suitable for skiers of all levels. However, the ski runs are relatively short, and avid skiers may find themselves completing all the runs in a day.

Parking can be a nightmare on weekends, and the resort's size is somewhat limited, with only a handful of runs available. Additionally, the back side of the mountain closes early in the afternoon, and double black diamond runs are off-limits at night.

Restaurant prices are on the higher side, and while the food is decent, it may not always justify the cost. Moreover, amenities such as restrooms and tables in common areas can be scarce during peak times, leading to long waits and inconvenience for visitors.

In summary, Stevens Pass offers a convenient and enjoyable skiing experience for those in the Seattle area. However, factors such as high ticket prices, limited runs, and parking challenges may detract from the overall experience. With some improvements in amenities and pricing, Stevens Pass has the potential to become an even more attractive destination for winter sports enthusiasts.

Pros: Convenient location near major cities like Seattle, Everett, and Bellevue. Well-maintained slopes suitable for skiers of all levels. Variety of runs catering to different skill levels.

Cons: US2 traffic congestion on the return journey, particularly on weekends. Limited number of runs, leading to short ski days. High ticket prices, especially after Vail's acquisition. Parking challenges and limited resort size. Limited amenities and high...

A beautiful resort that is being run into the ground. The experience has gotten progressively worse every year that Vail has managed this property. This is not the fault of any of the employees you see on the mountain. They are all top notch. This is even more impressive as they are are being called upon to do the jobs of several people. It is clear that they are all stretched thin, but they greet you with a smile and do their best to keep you safe and moving on the mountain. The fault falls on the shoulders of those that did not prepare to adequately incentivize workers with local housing or better benefits/pay to make it worth their time to commute every day. They, instead, appear to have focused on pass sales which have overcrowded the small percentage of terrain that is open. This, of course, makes that available terrain less safe for everyone. Very disappointing.

EDIT

It is now the end of the '22-'23 season. Under the new GM, things have improved greatly, and genuinely appears to care about the customer experience. The employees and guests seem to be happy with changes, and it is starting to feel like a community again. Due to some logistical issues grooming was a bit sparse at the beginning of year, leaving some gnarly moguls on some of the intermediate runs, but there was plenty of terrain to shift to and they eventually got it all done more consistently. I did an adult midweek lesson series that was such and awesome experience that gave me better skills and more confidence to attack tougher terrain. The weekends filled up the lots but I never felt the impact of this in the lift lines. There were occasional waits, but they were never too bad. The food in the lodge has improved quite a bit. The only thing really keeping this from being a five star review is the adherence to the closure date that they announced early on while other resorts in the area are extending the season and (while this is out of their hands really) the lack of lodging in the area. There is an RV lot to accommodate people equipped to use it but, aside from a few places in Skykomish, most places to rent are 30-45 minutes away. Because of this, there is not much of an apres vibe to wait out the horrendous traffic headed back to...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Steven Pass Ski Mountain and it was a delightful surprise. The mountain is conveniently accessible, with easy parking and a hassle-free check-in process to obtain passes. The layout of the mountain is well-designed, making it easy to navigate.

While there may not be as many green trails, the blue trails are fairly easy and enjoyable to ski. There are also some nice black diamond trails for those seeking a challenge. Additionally, the back side of the mountain offers a pleasant surprise with a mix of blue and black trails.

Throughout my visit, I encountered a few restaurants and bars scattered around the mountain. The staff at Steven Pass Ski Mountain was exceptional, providing friendly and helpful service. From check-in to the restaurants, bar, and lift crew, everyone was pleasant and accommodating.

The weather during my stay was amazing, with spring skiing conditions in mid-March. The temperatures were in the 50s and 60s, and the snow held up well throughout the day. While Steven Pass may not have the same level of luxury as some other ski resorts, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience and couldn't have asked for a better stress-free few days of spring skiing. I will definitely be returning.

One of the highlights of my visit was sending my kids to the ski school for two days. The staff at the ski school was truly unbelievable. They were friendly, well-run, and incredibly effective at teaching. After just two days, my kids were confidently skiing blue trails and excelling. I would like to give special praise to Abby, Thomas, and Keller, who were fantastic with the kids. For those interested in snowboarding, Winston Wolf is an amazing instructor who can work wonders in just a half-day session. Alicia, the ski school supervisor, runs the ski school like a well-oiled machine. It's truly impressive.

Overall, my experience at Steven Pass Ski Mountain was fantastic. The combination of great skiing, friendly staff, and beautiful weather made for an unforgettable trip. I highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for a stress-free and enjoyable...