The Summit at Snoqualmie’s Alpental ski area has opened for the season, introducing the new Edelweiss triple chairlift, also known as Chair 2. This Doppelmayr lift replaces the original 1967 Riblet double lift and aims to enhance access to Alpental’s highest point on Denny Mountain. The upgrade is expected to improve reliability and speed, allowing ski patrol to conduct necessary avalanche mitigation work more efficiently, thereby opening up more of the mountain to skiers.
The Edelweiss Triple will significantly increase uphill capacity, reducing lift wait times and offering a faster ride to the summit in approximately six minutes. This development is part of a three-year modernization project at Alpental, which included the installation of the Sessel lift in 2023 and the Internationale lift in 2024. According to Guy Lawrence, president and general manager of Alpental and The Summit at Snoqualmie, the addition of three new chairlifts over three consecutive years has “fundamentally reimagined how guests experience Alpental’s legendary terrain.”
The grand opening of the Edelweiss chair featured celebrations, including a complimentary breakfast for the first 58 guests and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lawrence noted the complexity of the installation, stating that it was one of the most technically complex chairlift installations in the resort’s history, given the rugged terrain and limited construction access. Alpental, located just 45 minutes from Seattle, is renowned for its challenging terrain, served by six lifts across 825 acres and 2,290 feet of vertical.
The new lift is expected to improve the overall skiing experience at Alpental, allowing skiers to access the mountain’s highest point more efficiently. The resort’s modernization project aims to enhance the ski experience while maintaining the mountain’s character and terrain. With the addition of the Edelweiss Triple, Alpental is poised to offer an improved skiing experience for its guests, making it easier to access the mountain’s legendary terrain. The resort’s proximity to Seattle and its challenging terrain make it a popular destination for skiers, and the new lift is expected to attract even more visitors to the area.