Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Alpental that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Alpental stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Alpental review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Alpental
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A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
I haven't skied it in years - health - but I terrorized it in the late 60's/early 70's. Upper International was (is?) rated the 7th toughest run in NA. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time there, both as an employee and a skier. Started skiing there the 2nd year it was open when you had to have three feet of snow to start. Oh, the memories!... Full Review
Fred Haas
I've skied here since 1972, patrolled it for 25 years. Raised two experts skiers in the instruction and racing programs. This is the real deal; posers need not apply. If you can ski Alpental, you can ski the world. It is not for everyone, but for those who understand it, it is simply the best!... Full Review
Nathan Y
I have skied here since I was 5. I have skied many many other areas in the US and this is as good as any when it has the conditions, but it has the tendency to be overhyped. First don't let stats fool you, the area is only 300 acres and about 200 of that are generally open. the top chair is the other 100 or so and generally opens later in the day after patrollers bomb the place, some days it does not open, which leaves the area to be mostly intermediate. there is some excellent backcountry but it is not very large and much of it funnels to tight basins at the bottom which means lines get skied out quickly. The backcountry is not often open on snow days, so expect to only hit it a few days after a dump and hope that the conditions haven't turned. There are a lot of excellent local skiers in the seattle area who are always eager to hit prime conditions. When an epic day arrives, those locals will skip work and school to line up prior to first chair. When the mountain opens, expect the place to go full zoo mode until about 2-3 hours later when everything is tracked out and the place empties. Alpental does get more snow than almost any other in the US, except other WA areas, but the conditions deteriorate quickly. A huge dump at reasonable temps can be almost nullified within a day or so if the temps warm up then refreeze. International is known as a proving ground run and is said to be around 43 degree pitch. It can get sketchy and is definitely one of those runs that many younger skiers claim as there first 'real' steep, but often it is a moguled out mess full of skiers that maybe are out of their league. Don't get me wrong, I love this place and ski as often as I can but I wouldn't consider a trip to here unless I was in the area. No, I am not trying to keep more people from coming, I just think that it is not a destination area like many people make it out to be.... Full Review
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quite a good local mountain, a lot of snow in the area. good terrain, but the top chair desperately needs an upgrade, especially with how many more people started coming in 2019. ... Full Review
Jerry Connors
I have skied here since I was three, and I will admit the snow is not the best. The terrain is amazing, if you are an intermediate or expert, I would highly recommend.... Full Review
Daniel Hotes
Where do I begin? I've been skiing at alpental since 1975.. alpental is one of my favorite resorts and it is old school to the max!.. the most epic backcountry around, killer box canyon end of the road location, epic old School logo, at the best part is if you measure rise over run from the base parking lot to the top of chair two on Google Earth Alpental is the steepest ski resort in North America.... Yep it is!! Shot 6 is crazy steep and knolls 1 2 and 3 are worthy of Hall of Fame status! You have not skied the kind until you have skied the best old school resort on this planet.... Full Review
Jack DeBruler
I love this place its where i grew up and where im still growing up. I did my first double black here when i was 8 on upper international. Also Alpental has some great back country. ... Full Review
Sue
I grew up skiing here. The best for advanced terrain at the Summit. Lodge needs a remodel and upgrade, food is lousy compared to Silver Fir, no espresso stand. ... Full Review
Petr
Bad food, roads and parking lot are not cleaned, long lines on very slow chair to get to expert terrain. However, mountain itself is great.... Full Review
rickranger54
Alpena is legit for expert skiing and worth a day trip with good snow. if I go to the pass then that is where I ski - advanced expert. ... Full Review
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