Your Voice for Winter Access

Our mission is to protect and improve winter access in the Pacific Northwest

Advocacy

We work with land managers, policy makers, and community partners to advocate for, improve, and develop winter backcountry access opportunities.

Education

We inform the backcountry community about access issues and initiatives and provide resources to support safe, responsible, and sustainable winter travel.

Community

We connect backcountry skiers, riders, and snowshoers to share knowledge, build relationships, and pursue a shared vision for the future of winter backcountry recreation in Washington.

A photo of backcountry skiers at the bottom of a snow slope with ski tracks on it.

Our work depends on you. Support winter access today.

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Key Projects

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.

Photo of backcountry skiers at Kendall Mountain, Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.

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PCT North Sno-Park

Cascade Backcountry Alliance is 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.

Aerial photo of Mt. Pilchuck, Washington, with the Puget Sound in the background.

Pilchuck Sno-Park

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.