[PHOTOS] Finding the Best Backcountry Lines in Washington State

The north slopes of Chair Peak, with Pineapple Pass and the Tooth in the background. (PC: Adam Pikielny)

Washington State is best known for its prominent, glaciated volcanoes, but it also has a variety of lesser-known backcountry lines. To get a better sense of the Washington backcountry skiing scene— especially the access out of Seattle, WA— I got in touch with Adam Pikielny. Adam lives in the Seattle area and, when he isn’t in the park at the Summit at Snoqualmie, he spends winter finding the lines that are worth hiking for. Apart from being a stellar rider, he’s a fantastic photographer— much to our benefit.

Thaws in January and February dramatically changed the snowpack in the backcountry. (PC: Adam Pikielny)

Adam’s go-to zone out of Seattle is the Alpental Valley, just an hour from Seattle proper, at Snoqualmie Pass. Specifically, the Source Lake Basin offers a combination of gnarly terrain and lines that riders can still send on high avalanche danger days.

Early season conditions can be tough out of Seattle, regardless of how late it feels like early season. This winter, Adam reflected that much of the season (until March) was plagued by regular wet/loose activity lots or the age-old problem of insufficient snow. These significant issues made many Washington backcountry riders take more conservative line choices and drew folks away from dreamier objectives. Even so, Adam enjoyed a few dawn patrols on Pineapple Pass and the Bryant Chute. While folks waited on the snowpack to fill in, these spots, plus Wright Mountain and Chair Peak, gave folks a reason to head uphill.

Early in the season, Adam spent plenty of time riding inbounds at Summit Central or Alpental. (PC: Garret Weintrob)

Then “miracle March” arrived, starting off with blower pow across the region and continuing through the month. For Washington riders, this changed the game in terms of access. Adam noted significant descents on the Crooked Couloir, Cache, Holy Diver, Red Mountain, Kaleetan Peak, and the miraculous ridges above Bryant Couloir. Each of these is worth research and a possible bookmark for next snow season.

The final ascent up the north side of Chair Peak. (PC: Adam Pikielny)

A highlight ascent came from Red Mountain, which stares down at riders throughout the pass, tempting them with its open face and long lines. The west face of Red is typically a springtime line due to its tendency to slide in mid-winter. But conditions occasionally align for a powdery descent. When Adam and his friends Garret Weintrob and Moses Lurbur took a Friday to test the west face of Red Mountain, they were graced with an amazing powder day.

Adam highlighted two unique aspects related to the backcountry skiing community in the Pacific Northwest. He attended Cascadia Splitfest where he found a warm welcome from riders who were both kind and inspiring. Splitfest is a great way to enjoy new experiences (a sauna + cold plunge?), learn (soft boots or hard boots?), and make some new touring buddies.

Companionship is a special joy in the mountains. (PC: Adam Pikielny)

Adam also noted how special it is that some of the pillars of the backcountry community are people of color. As a person of color himself, Adam wasn’t used to seeing much diversity off the beaten track during his time in New Hampshire and Utah. This winter, it has been regular to see a broader group representing riders in the woods and on the hills.

Next year, Adam has plans to tackle many new lines, but specifically mentioned the northeast couloir of McClellan. Drivers gaze at the face from the highway on the way back to Seattle from the pass. Due to its lower elevation, conditions were never prime for this year, but 2024-25 is already full of promise, and the couloir is a pristine line.

You can keep up with Adam and Garret via their instagram handles (linked earlier) or on their YouTube channels (linked here).