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
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
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Live webcams
3 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Stevens Pass's live webcams
Check live conditions across Stevens Pass with 3 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Snow Stake4,836ft
- Powder hunters rely on this dedicated Stevens Pass webcam to track fresh accumulation at the resort's snow stake positioned at 1474 meters elevation. Real-time depth measurements help you plan the perfect powder day at this legendary Cascade destination. The Stevens Pass live snow cam delivers crucial data throughout the day, making it an essential tool for timing your visit when Washington's famous winter storms deliver that champagne powder everyone talks about.
- Jupiter5,217ft
- The Jupiter zone comes alive through this Stevens Pass live cam perched at 1590 meters, where expert terrain meets stunning Cascade peaks. Advanced skiers checking conditions before tackling the steeps will appreciate the clear view this Stevens Pass webcam provides of the upper mountain. Watch the snow quality and assess visibility across some of Washington's most challenging in-bounds terrain from this strategic vantage point.
- Courtyard4,193ft
- Bustling with activity, the courtyard serves as Stevens Pass's social center, and this Stevens Pass web cam captures it all from 1278 meters at the base. From morning coffee crowds to afternoon ski school gatherings, this live cam shows exactly what's happening at the resort's main hub. Check parking availability, assess current weather, and get a feel for how busy your day on the mountain will be before making the scenic drive over the pass.
Stevens Pass snow cams FAQ
How often do Stevens Pass snow cams update?
All Stevens Pass snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Stevens Pass.
Which Stevens Pass webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Jupiter webcam at 1,590m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Stevens Pass webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Stevens Pass lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Stevens Pass snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Stevens Pass snow cams?
Check Stevens Pass webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Stevens Pass lift tickets?
Use our Stevens Pass webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Stevens Pass webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Stevens Pass snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Stevens Pass intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.