Summit at Snoqualmie Enacts Paid Parking Policy; Non-Skiers Pay Up to $55 Per Day

If you want to visit Summit at Snoqualmie or Alpental without a lift ticket, expect a hefty fee of up to $55.

Summit at Snoqualmie, which includes the popular Alpental area, recently rolled out a paid parking program. From November 18, 2024 to April 30, 2025, a parking permit will be required in all lots between 7am and 2pm daily.

Ikon Pass holders and day ticket buyers will now need to pay an extra $5 per day to obtain this permit. If you’re a season pass holder or purchase a Flex Ticket Pack, this change likely won’t affect you—parking remains free for these guests.

However, for those without a season pass, day ticket, or other equivalent, the cost for parking will be a hefty $55 per day. This includes backcountry skiers who are taking on some of Washington’s most easily-accessible out-of-bounds lines, or those just heading up to look at the snow. There are a few exceptions: tubers and uphill pass holders also enjoy free parking, meaning the only ones hit with the $55 price tag are those not actively using the mountain.

Summit at Snoqualmie has struggled to handle the influx of non-resort-users in recent years—and while they can’t ban them, they seem to be trying to price them out parking-wise.

Our Take

Paid parking has become more and more common at ski areas across the country, and on the surface, Summit at Snoqualmie and Alpental are just following this somewhat annoying trend. However, Snoqualmie’s upcharge strategy for non-resort skiers and riders is quite rare. Parking availability has been an issue in the region during peak times, and it’s clear the resort is implementing this policy to dissuade non-paying guests from parking there.

For those skiing at Snoqualmie or Alpental, the new parking fees probably won’t be a dealbreaker. Season passholders and Flex Pack users get free parking, while Ikon and day ticket holders pay a reasonable $5 per day. Notably, these fees are still a lot cheaper than the $15-$30 that’s become normal in the industry, although many competing resorts do not charge for parking at all on off-peak weekdays.

For those without a resort pass—whether visiting for snow play or backcountry access—the $55-per-day situation will be a huge hurdle. Snow play enthusiasts do have some alternatives. Three Washington State Parks-run Sno-Parks surround Snoqualmie Pass: Asahel Curtis on the west side, and Gold Creek and Hyak on the east. These Sno-Parks are available for a $25 day pass or a $50 season pass, which offers a more affordable (albeit still somewhat pricey) option.

For backcountry skiers, this parking policy is notably restrictive. The only accessible lot in Alpental Valley, Lot A7, is open for backcountry use but fills up fast, with carpooling strongly recommended to preserve space. Unfortunately, there's no real workaround for the high parking cost—backcountry skiers will either need a resort lift ticket, a $55 parking pass, or to reconsider their plans to access Alpental's backcountry terrain.

It will be interesting to see how this experiment works for the Summit at Snoqualmie, as they say they will be fine-tuning the program moving forward. 

Considering a trip to Washington state this winter? Check out our Summit at Snoqualmie and Alpental mountain reviews, as well as our comprehensive Washington state ski resort rankings.