Key Projects
PCT North Sno-Park
Cascade Backcountry Alliance is working to propose a new Sno-Park at Snoqualmie Pass at the Pacific Crest trailhead on the north side of I-90. This would provide access to Commonwealth Basin, which includes the popular Kendall backcountry zones and supports opportunities for a wide variety of recreation, including snowshoeing, winter climbing, and backcountry skiing. It is also a common destination for many first-time winter recreationalists, guided snowshoe tours, avalanche training courses, and other educational winter experiences. The PCT North trailhead is unique at Snoqualmie Pass as a place where existing public infrastructure could be leveraged for sustainable, high-value winter access.
Benefits
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Additional parking capacity: A Sno-Park at PCT North would provide non-Summit at Snoqualmie-operated parking and dedicated access for a high-use winter recreation destination within 1 hour of the Seattle metro area.
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Increased safety: The availability of parking at PCT North would reduce unsafe parking and pedestrian conditions along SR 906. It would also reduce unsafe parking along Highway 906.
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Leverages existing infrastructure: Utilizing PCT North would take advantage of existing access infrastructure before investing in new, higher-cost projects.​​
Pilchuck Sno-Park
We are currently investigating the feasibility of re-establishing winter access to Mt. Pilchuck, with the eventual goal of proposing a new Sno-Park. Restoring public winter access to Pilchuck, which had a ski area from 1956 to 1979, would provide access to snowplay, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing opportunities for the greater Everett Metro area.
Benefits
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Snow access for an underserved area: Currently, Everett area residents have to travel to Mt. Baker or Stevens Pass (1.5-2.5 hours) for reliable snow access. Pilchuck is less than half the distance. Over 1 million people live within 25 miles of Pilchuck.
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Diverse recreation opportunities: Pilchuck has lots of safe, low-angle terrain for snow play and snowshoeing. It also has expansive alpine terrain for backcountry skiing.
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Economic impact in gateway communities: Recreation at Pilchuck would increase visitation through Granite Falls and other gateway towns in the winter, bringing in revenue for local businesses.
Ski Resort Access Relations & Advocacy
Many winter backcountry access points in Washington are adjacent to or overlap with ski resort parking. As demand for both downhill skiing and backcountry activities has grown, so has the pressure on available parking. In order to preserve access at these important locations, Cascade Backcountry Alliance maintains relationships with ski area leadership to understand parking changes and advocate for the backcountry community.
Our Recent Advocacy Efforts
If you are monitoring a backcountry access issue connected to our ski resorts that we may not be aware of, please email will@cascadebackcountryalliance.com.
Emerging Access Issues
While Cascade Backcountry Alliance has specific priority projects, we are always interested in hearing from the backcountry community about emerging access issues. We are actively exploring the transportation challenges facing winter backcountry users along the I-90 corridor. We also continue to track related developments, such as changes to the Sno-Parks system, changes in access to critical roads and trailheads, and proposals for backcountry huts.​
Past Access Initiatives
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Funding improvements to Glacier Creek Road, which provides access to Heliotrope Ridge and the surrounding area on Mt. Baker.
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Maintaining access to Gold Creek Sno Park during the multi-year Gold Creek restoration project.
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Reviewing proposed Mt. Baker area huts for impacts to backcountry users and the environment.
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Advocating for an update to the Northwest Forest Plan to emphasize how strategic active forest management can improve both forest health and opportunities for dispersed winter recreation.
Our work is strengthened by community insight. If you are aware of a winter backcountry access issue or opportunity we should be monitoring, please email info@cascadebackcountryalliance.com.