Alpental Backcountry

Know what the current avalanche conditions are? Know what the latest weather forecast says? The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center is a great resource!

The Alpental Backcountry is rugged terrain. Minimal avalanche explosives are used. Skier compaction, ski cutting, and time compaction/settlement are the main stabilizers of the snow in the Alpental Backcountry. This is done to keep the backcountry experience as "natural" as possible.

The Alpental Backcountry is outside of the developed portion of Alpental. This means hazards, including large cliffs, obstacles, changing snow conditions and avalanche-prone slopes, are unmarked, unpredictable, and uncontrolled. This also means the Alpental Backcountry is not actively patrolled by the Alpental Ski Patrol. 

In consideration for the use of Alpental's ski lifts and other facilities, and as a condition to access the backcountry from Alpental's lifts, the following regulations apply:

• Access to the backcountry shall only be through marked access gates. Under no circumstances, may a rope line at Alpental be crossed.
• Before entering the Alpental Backcountry after using the resort's lifts, all individuals must have registered with the Alpental Ski Patrol. After completing an orientation tour through the backcountry while accompanied by a member of the Alpental Ski Patrol, individuals will receive a backcountry card. You must carry this card on your person whenever you enter the Alpental Backcountry, and you must agree to show your backcountry card to the Alpental Ski Patrol when asked for card verification.
• Access to the backcountry is only permitted when the gate in Upper International is open and the sign at the gate reads: "Backcountry Card Holders Only (Unless Accompanied by Alpental Pro Patrol)." This designation indicates the Alpental Ski Patrol has determined that being in the backcountry at this time presents hazards only to the individual and his/her immediate group. Those hazards include: risk of falling from large unmarked cliffs, risk of colliding with unmarked obstacles, and the risk of burial or injury by avalanche, all of which may result in injury or death.
• Access to the backcountry is absolutely prohibited except as indicated above. Backcountry closures indicate the Alpental Ski Patrol has determined that the backcountry presents hazards to all who enter at that time.
• Alpental and The Summit at Snoqualmie assume no responsibility or obligation for performing rescues in the backcountry. If a rescue in the backcountry is necessary and Alpental undertakes that rescue, the individual agrees to pay for all expenses of such rescue.

Backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and travel is an activity entirely different from activities within a developed resort, and includes significant risks and hazards above and beyond the risks and hazards encountered in a developed resort. Backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and travel is winter mountaineering. In particular, the Alpental Patrol strongly recommends that persons in the backcountry observe the following:

• Every individual in the backcountry should be prepared to deal with avalanche and avalanche hazards, which exist to some degree at all times. Such preparation includes route finding knowledge, carrying an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, and shovel, as well as the knowledge of how to use these safety tools. An avalanche safety course is strongly recommended!

Photo contents: 1.Backcountry shovel, 2.Avalanche probe (extended), 3.Backpack, 4.Avalanche probe (folded), 5.Avalanche transceiver.



• At least one person in the group must be familiar with the geographic area and the planned routes of ascent and descent. Large cliffs are numerous, with a limited number of safe passage routes.
• People should never enter the backcountry alone! The backcountry is not actively patrolled by the Apental Ski Patrol. Ideally, you should only enter the backcountry in groups of three or more people. This allows for one person to stay with an injured person, while the other member of the group can leave to make arrangements for rescue and extraction from the backcountry if injury occurs. [Please note: Alpental assumes no responsibility or obligation for such rescues or extractions.]

Failure to comply with any of the above information could result in the loss of backcountry and lift privileges!

Skiing or snowboarding in the backcountry requires expert skills. Risk of injury and the threat of avalanche are always present in the backcountry. The "it won't happen to me" attitude is all too present in today's society. The backcountry and Mother Nature are nondiscriminatory. Injury can happen to anyone, at any time! Help reduce your risk of injury by following the best practices outlined above...because Safety Starts With You!

Know what the current avalanche conditions are? Know what the latest weather forecast says? The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center is a great resource!

Want to know more about backcountry safety? Click here.