A Summit Uphill Travel Pass is now required for anyone traveling uphill within ski area boundaries, at all times. Whenever lifts at Summit East, Summit Central, or Summit West are open, uphill travelers must use designated uphill travel routes. When lifts are NOT running (area is not open) at Summit East, Summit Central, or Summit West, designated uphill travel routes are recommended, but not required.

Avalanche evaluation skills are a requirement to navigate this steep and committing terrain.

This tour starts by Summit East at the Gold Creek Sno-Park. Follow an old logging road for 4 miles to a clear open viewpoint close to the Kendall Lakes basins.

Wright Mountain, home to the relatively obscure Oyster Couloir, provides a unique skiing destination. The mountain offers impressive views of the Alpental Valley, Chair Peak, Bryant, Snoqualmie Mountain, and Gem Lake. The couloir features a blind entrance, and at its narrowest, it's only as wide as a ski. Ski crampons and veggie belays may be required for safe travel. Snow Lake, while seemingly serene, may not be safe for crossing, especially during the early season. Navigating through terrains like snow-covered boulders, icy waterfalls, and a forested gully is part of the journey down the mountain.

A classic Snoqualmie Pass ski tour, the Chair Peak Circumnavigation links several basins into a full-value loop from Alpental. Expect roughly 8 to 11 miles and 4,000 to 4,500 feet of climbing for the standard tour, with more if you add side laps. The terrain is never extreme for long, but it is committing enough to demand efficient travel, good judgment, and stable avalanche conditions. The usual start is the upper Alpental lot. From there, skin to Source Lake and continue either counterclockwise over Snow Lake Divide toward Snow Lake, Chair Peak Lake, and Melakwa Pass, or clockwise via Great Scott Basin and Bryant Col. Both directions work, but clockwise is often cleaner on sunny spring days because it gets the south-facing terrain done earlier. Counterclockwise gives a more natural scenic progression and is a common first choice when timing and snow support it. The crux is less about routefinding than snow management. This loop crosses multiple aspects and elevations, so conditions can change dramatically over the course of a day. Bryant Couloir is the technical and psychological high point for many parties: in good snow it is a broad, friendly couloir by Cascade standards; in poor snow it can be firm, scraped, thin, or filled with old debris. The Melakwa side usually skis best when timed for soft corn, while the north-facing Chair terrain can stay firm longer than expected. Snow Lake is generally straightforward but can feel slow and exposed if visibility drops or surfaces crust over. A strong day here looks like stable avalanche conditions, an early start, and a willingness to adapt. If Bryant Couloir is not in shape, a lower-angle exit through Great Scott Basin is the usual alternative. If the upper north-facing terrain is firm or visibility is poor, skipping steeper add-ons is the better call. This is a route for efficient backcountry skiers who are comfortable with repeated transitions, short bootpacks, and making terrain choices based on aspect, warming, and coverage rather than sticking rigidly to one line. Sources Skimo route page Mountaineers route page Trailcat Jim: Chair Peak Ski Circumnavigation WildSnow: Snoqualmie Classic, Chair Peak Circumnavigation Turns All Year: Chair Peak Circumnavigation Turns All Year: March 20, 2010 Chair Peak Circumnavigation Engineered For Adventure: Chair Peak Circumnavigation (with Extra) Alpine Wanderlust: Chair Peak Circumnavigation ski tour

Chair Peak is a sought-after destination nestled in the Alpental Valley. This location offers breathtaking views such as Bryant Peak, Source Lake, and a fascinating panorama from Chair Peak Basin. A route to the north side via the first notch in the ridge is typically preferred for its relative safety. Once on the ridge, skiers can enjoy views of the NE Buttress and onward towards Snow Lake. The skiing terrain on the north slopes of Chair is quite remarkable – moderately steep and filled with soft, deep snow, providing an adventurous descent towards Snow Lake. However, caution is required for lower, unseen cliffs. Additional points of interest include the ice formations on Snow Lake's shore, Snoqualmie Mountain at the lake's end, and magnificent views of Mt. Garfield. Skiers should note that the south-facing snow tends to deteriorate under strong sunlight, presenting some challenging conditions on the final descent to Source Lake.

The tour to the Slot Couloir has beautiful views, but the ascent is not direct and avalanche hazard identification skills are a requirement.

McClellan Butte has an exposed 3000' descent that is avalanche prone.

This tour is short and a great introduction to Alpental backcountry skiing.