
Stevens Pass
1,125 acres, 53 runs two hours from Seattle. Epic Pass access, substantial Cascade snowfall.
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.
Stevens Pass covers 1,125 acres (455 hectares) on US Highway 2 in the central Washington Cascades, with 53 runs from a 4,060 ft (1,238 m) base to 5,840 ft (1,781 m) at the summit, a vertical of 1,780 ft (543 m). The terrain splits 8% beginner, 45% intermediate, 28% advanced and 19% expert, and about 601 inches of snow falls in a typical winter. Twelve lifts, five of them quads, spread skiers over two main mountains, so the area feels bigger than its acreage suggests on a busy weekend.
Skiing is split between Cowboy Mountain, topping out at 5,845 ft, and Big Chief Mountain at 5,600 ft. The Mill Valley area is full of tree runs, reached from the Jupiter Express and Southern Cross chairs. Terrain parks include Top Phlight, Tye Creek, Rail Garden and Daisy, and night skiing runs several evenings a week on lit lifts. It suits intermediates who like variety, park riders and Seattle day-trippers wanting a big-mountain feel without a long drive, with enough advanced and expert pitches to keep stronger skiers interested.
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.
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.
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Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 26, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Stevens Pass typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Our lift ticket pricing was last updated on Sep 26, 2026.
Day passes start from US$109, with peak rates up to US$175.
Single-day advance-purchase lift access at Stevens Pass for the 2026/27 season, just over an hour from Seattle on Highway 2. Flat online rate confirmed across both December and February dates, saving over the same-day walk-up price.
Buy passSingle-day advance-purchase lift access for kids 7-12 at Stevens Pass for the 2026/27 season. Flat online rate confirmed across both December and February dates.
Buy passA restricted-date 1-day pass for Stevens Pass, sold for a limited time each season at a fixed rate below the standard advance-purchase ticket. Non-refundable, but includes Epic Coverage protection for the 2026/27 season. Available for ages 13+, with pricing also available for other age bands.
Buy passA fixed, refundable 1-day lift ticket for Stevens Pass, sold all season and available for purchase online when booked at least 7 days in advance. Available for ages 13+, with pricing also available for other age bands.
Buy passThe Epic Pass, Vail Resorts' multi-mountain season pass, includes unlimited unrestricted access to Stevens Pass for the 2026/27 season alongside 90+ resorts worldwide - including Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Park City and Heavenly - plus Epic Mountain Rewards (20% off food, lodging, lessons and rentals). Launched at $1,089 in spring 2026, stepping up to $1,145 after the September 7 price increase, with a further increase from October 7, 2026.
Buy passThe Epic Pass at Vail Resorts' discounted rate for skiers and riders 13-30, offering the same unlimited unrestricted access to Stevens Pass and 90+ resorts worldwide for the 2026/27 season. Launched at $869 in spring 2026, stepping up to $909 after the September 7 price increase, with a further increase from October 7, 2026.
Buy passThe Epic Pass for kids 5-12, offering unlimited unrestricted access to Stevens Pass and 90+ resorts worldwide for the 2026/27 season. Priced at $555 as of spring 2026; confirm current rate before purchase as Vail Resorts steps pricing up through the season (next increase October 7, 2026).
Buy passMore Stevens Pass intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.