SnowStash
ForecastsCompareNews
SnowStash Logo

Live snow, webcams and expert resort guides for the world's mountains - plan your next day on snow.

hello@snowstash.com
Download on the App Store

Destinations

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Europe
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • United States

Company

  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Privacy Policy

Explore

  • Compare Resorts
  • News & Updates
  • Snow Forecast
  • Mobile App

© 2026 SnowStash. All rights reserved.

    Washington, Usa · Epic

    Stevens Pass

    1,125 acres, 53 runs two hours from Seattle. Epic Pass access, substantial Cascade snowfall.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    13 Dec 2025
    Closes
    13 Apr 2026
    Days open
    121
    Annual snow
    50ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Stevens Pass's summit reaches 5,843 feet, dropping 1,781 vertical feet to a base at 4,062 feet across 53 runs spread over 1,125 acres in the central Washington Cascades. Terrain splits 45 per cent intermediate, 28 per cent advanced, 19 per cent expert and 8 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 601 inches. The resort carries Epic Pass access. Twelve lifts, including five quad chairs, three triple chairs and two double chairs, serve the mountain alongside two surface lifts.

    Stevens Pass sits directly on Highway 2, one of the more accessible major Cascade passes, putting it within roughly two hours of Seattle and making it one of the closer Epic Pass destinations to a major West Coast city. Its substantial snowfall total supports extensive backcountry access alongside its lift-served terrain, and night skiing extends the ski day for the resort's large day-trip visitor base. The mountain's terrain parks and steep upper-mountain zones have built a strong following among younger Seattle-area skiers.

    The ski area opened in 1937, with its original lodge built that year, destroyed by fire in 1939 and rebuilt the following year by the Civilian Conservation Corps. By 1963, the resort had expanded to three chairlifts and twelve rope tows. After 35 years of ownership, Harbor Resorts sold Stevens Pass to CNL Lifestyle in 2011, with operations handed to the operator of Mountain High in California, before CNL sold the resort on to Och-Ziff Capital Management in 2016.

    Vail Resorts completed its acquisition of Stevens Pass on 15 August 2018 for a final purchase price of 64 million US dollars, subsequently investing in upgrades to the Daisy and Brooks chairs among other infrastructure. The transition to Vail ownership has not been without friction: staffing shortages and avalanche risk have at times limited operations to a fraction of the resort's lifts and terrain, prompting a widely signed online petition and complaints to the Washington Attorney General's office from frustrated pass holders. Adult daily tickets run from 120 to 159 US dollars, with the Epic Local Pass from 746 dollars.

    1,781ft
    Vertical
    53
    Runs
    1,125 acres
    Skiable
    50ft
    Annual snow
    Epic
    Pass
    The Terrain

    53 runs across 1,125 acres skiable

    Stevens Pass spreads 53 runs across 1,125 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 45%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 25 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    53
    runs
    53 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner4 runs · 8%
    Intermediate24 runs · 45%
    Advanced15 runs · 28%
    Expert10 runs · 19%
    Time it right

    When to visit Stevens Pass

    The 2025-26 season at Stevens Pass ran from 13 December 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 601 inches, among the highest totals of any resort covered here. This substantial snowfall supports extensive terrain access, though avalanche risk associated with such heavy snow loading has at times contributed to operational limitations in recent seasons.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the resort's varied terrain. As an Epic Pass destination within roughly two hours of Seattle, Stevens Pass draws substantial weekend and holiday traffic from the Puget Sound region, with crowding and lift-line length depending significantly on how many lifts are operating on a given day. Night skiing extends the useful ski day for day-trip visitors.

    Given the documented staffing and operational challenges under Vail Resorts ownership since 2018, visitors have reported variable experiences depending on the season and specific conditions, with some periods seeing reduced terrain and lift availability. School holiday periods and weekends typically bring the heaviest demand regardless of operational capacity on any given day.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The resort's substantial snowfall and steep upper-mountain terrain remain significant draws despite the operational concerns raised by some pass holders in recent years. Stevens Pass's proximity to Seattle continues to make it one of the more heavily used Cascade resorts on the Epic Pass network.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    13 Dec 2025
    Opens
    13 Apr 2026
    Closes
    121
    Days open
    50 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Stevens Pass, and where to stay

    Stevens Pass sits directly on US Highway 2 in the central Washington Cascades, with a base elevation of 4,062 feet and a summit at 5,843 feet across a 1,781-foot vertical drop over 1,125 acres. This puts the resort roughly two hours from Seattle, making it one of the more accessible major Cascade ski areas from the Puget Sound region.

    The towns of Leavenworth and Skykomish sit on either side of the pass, offering lodging and dining options for visitors travelling from either direction. Seattle, Washington's largest city, supplies the majority of the resort's day-trip and weekend visitor base given the relatively direct highway access. The broader Cascade Range surrounding the pass offers extensive backcountry recreation beyond the resort's lift-served terrain.

    US Highway 2 provides direct access to Stevens Pass from both Seattle to the west and Leavenworth to the east. Winter driving conditions on this route can include heavy snow and occasional closures during storms, given the substantial snowfall the pass receives. There is no direct public transport service to the resort, though its highway location makes it a straightforward drive for day-trip visitors.

    Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the nearest airport with extensive commercial service, roughly two hours from the resort under normal driving conditions. This convenient distance from a major international airport supports Stevens Pass's role as one of the more accessible Epic Pass destinations on the West Coast.

    Where to stay

    Search all stays →

    Hotels and lodges near Stevens Pass, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

    View all news →
    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026

    Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.

    4 Sept 2026
    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

    Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season

    Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.

    2 Sept 2026
    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

    Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6

    We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.

    1 Sept 2026
    Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028

    Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028

    Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.

    31 Aug 2026
    Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured

    Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured

    An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.

    28 Aug 2026
    Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do

    Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do

    A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.

    27 Aug 2026
    Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September

    Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September

    Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.

    26 Aug 2026
    Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert

    Unstable Glacier Above Randa Puts Zermatt-Area Village on Alert

    A hanging glacier above the Swiss village of Randa, just south of Zermatt, has been shedding large chunks of ice for weeks, with authorities warning more break-offs are likely. A danger zone has been closed off since June, though officials say the village's 479 residents aren't at risk. It's a familiar pattern for this glacier - it's done this before, in 1819, 1972 and 1973 - but a reminder of how closely Alpine authorities now watch terrain once considered stable.

    26 Aug 2026

    Stevens Pass Lift Tickets

    Stevens Pass lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Stevens Pass closed on Apr 13, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$73, with peak rates up to US$159.

    Epic9 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult Daily Ticket

    US$120up to US$159 peak

    Full day access to Stevens Pass Resort in the Washington Cascades. Features 57 slopes across 1,125 acres with night skiing and terrain parks. Epic Pass destination resort 2 hours from Seattle.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Youth Daily Ticket

    US$105up to US$140 peak

    Youth daily lift ticket for Stevens Pass. Access to terrain suitable for all abilities including beginner slopes and advanced bowls. Ski or ride the best of the Cascades with night skiing available.

    Buy pass
    Child 5–12

    Child Daily Ticket

    US$85up to US$115 peak

    Children's lift ticket for Stevens Pass Resort. Perfect for families exploring the Cascade Mountains with beginner-friendly terrain and excellent ski school programs.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–99

    Senior Daily Ticket

    US$105up to US$140 peak

    Senior lift ticket for Stevens Pass. Enjoy discounted access to Washington's premier Cascade skiing with 14 lifts and extensive lighted terrain for evening skiing.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Epic Day Pass (1-Day)

    US$73up to US$95 peak

    Flexible Epic Day Pass for Stevens Pass. Build your own pass with 1-7 days and save up to 65% compared to lift tickets. As low as $73 per day at this Epic Pass resort.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Night Skiing

    US$75up to US$95 peak

    Stevens Pass night skiing ticket for adventure after dark. Extensive lighted terrain on multiple lifts makes this one of Washington's premier night skiing destinations.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 18–64

    Stevens Pass Premium Pass

    US$639

    Unlimited unrestricted access to Stevens Pass all season. Includes Epic Mountain Rewards benefits with 20% off food, lodging, and more. No blackout dates.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Stevens Pass Select Pass

    US$410

    Limited access Stevens Pass season pass for off-peak days. Includes night skiing from 3pm and blackout restrictions on peak periods. Great value for flexible skiers.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Epic Local Pass

    US$746

    Epic Local Pass includes unlimited access to Stevens Pass plus Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Park City, and more with some restrictions. Access 30+ resorts worldwide.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Stevens Pass day pass cost?+
    Stevens Pass day passes range from US$73 to US$159 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Stevens Pass lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Stevens Pass lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Stevens Pass, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Stevens Pass lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Stevens Pass - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Stevens Pass lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Stevens Pass offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Stevens Pass directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Stevens Pass.

    More Stevens Pass intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.