So with the recent freeze/thaw cycle it seems to have been creating some challenges for folks at Alpental. Here is hoping this published warning on the Snoqualmie website thins out the lift lines tomorrow
Alpental Ops Update: Chair 2 will have a delayed opening until 11am this morning due to icy and unsafe travel conditions.
Extra Challenging Conditions at Alpental: Conditions on upper mountain at Alpental have been quite challenging this week due to the freeze-thaw cycle associated with these spring-like temperature swings. Like always, our goal is to open as much terrain as possible given the conditions. However, we expect to have delayed openings or extended holds on Chair 2 until the weather changes, it's just too hard, icy, and challenging in the morning. Not only are these conditions hazardous, with hard impacts and long slides possible if you fall, but it also exposes our patrol team to the hazard when running routes or performing rescues. Recently we have been closing Triple60 early at night due to this same hazard.
If the sun softens up the surface snow, skiing on the chair side of the mountain can be enjoyable for expert skiers/riders. However, these conditions are still variable with extremely hard snow/ice in shaded areas, and only amplify the technical and challenging terrain on the upper half of Alpental. Please take the "Experts Only" warnings very seriously before considering going up Chair 2. That warning applies now more than ever, and now is not the time for a progressing skier or rider to take on the new challenge of riding Chair 2.
We know the view at the top is enticing, but if you're not ready for extremely difficult conditions/terrain - skip taking that step in your progression until the snow returns. For the hardcore folks out there that can hold an edge and want to make some turns from the top... ride with a buddy, take it easy, and enjoy the challenge.
If you're an intermediate level skier/rider, lower mountain at Alpental is challenging as well and a better experience will likely be had at Summit Central or Summit West. The Cascade Traverse is especially challenging right now, with icy areas and plenty of bumps. Watch and pay attention to signage on the mountain, it's there to provide awareness. Take it slow, look ahead and find the easiest path of travel.
For night skiing - Summit West often has the best conditions during freeze-thaw cycles because it is groomed during the day.
As an FYI thanks to the inversion we have had the last few weekends and all the sunshine, the hill has been softening up pretty quickly making ideal conditions by 10:30 through to 2 pm. As usual I will be there all day tomorrow
