The Slot Couloir at Snoqualmie Pass is one of the more famous lines in Washington State. It is easy to understand why with quick access and stunning scenery. If and when storms drop new snow in the area this is one of the first places people head towards and once March came around the stars aligned for us to do the same.
Ski Touring up Snoqualmie Mountain
Parking at the Alpental lower parking lot Hannah and I starting skinning through an area called Phantom Trees. Below us the views of Snoqualmie started opening up. It was one of those rare days of sunshine and fresh snow.
The views became more stunning the higher we ski toured. Soon Mount Rainier was standing proud behind Alpental ski resort.
Making it through the trees and into the alpine the Alpental backcountry came into view. We were following an already set in skin track making fast progress up Snoqualmie Mountain.
Finding the Entrance to the Slot Couloir
Soon we were near the entrance to the Slot Couloir. It was a bit confusing to finding the actually drop in point walking over to the edge.
From our vantage point standing on top of the ridge we had a sweeping view of the Alpental ski area sidecountry. It’s an amazing resort with serious terrain within a few minute ski traverse.
Finally we were looking down into the Slot Couloir. There had been a previous group but fresh tracks were still abundant. It was nice to finally be at a line I had heard about for years.
Making our way down the Slot Couloir
We were making the first tracks of the day so the wind had smoothed out the snow in the gut. Being a snowboarded I focused on hitting up the side walls that still held untracked snow.
Conditions were amazing within the line. Seeing tracks up top made me wonder how good it would be but to my surprise it was clean within the Slot Couloir.
The rock walls made us fill small as we made our way down the line. It was a unique line within the Cascades and one of the best within the Snoqualmie area.
From top to bottom the Slot Couloir was a nice hidden line within the rocks. Steep but not too steep and just the right aspect being Northeast facing.
Once at the lower apron it was time to open us. The previous tracks had gone straight down so we made our way to the left, finding much better snow.
While the Slot Couloir was super fun the snow down low was much better. Every turn was bottomless and putting us in the white room.
Heading back to Alpental Ski Resort
After riding into the basin it was time to head back out. We followed a small but steep skin track back up to the ridge for our exit.
Back on the ridge it was time to transition for our final descent. It had been a total success finding and riding the Slot Couloir in powder conditions. In total it was about 1,500 feet of great terrain. From here on out we would be doing a small traverse followed by riding the Phantom Trees to the Alpental Parking lot.
Dropping in we were riding some of the best tree skiing in the Snoqualmie Pass area. Even the Phantom Trees held good snow even though they were in the sun all day. Soon enough we were back in the Parking lot and happy everything had gone as smooth as they could. It was a super fun day finally getting the most famous line in the Snoqualmie Backcountry.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope you enjoyed the pictures.