Industry News
Stevens Pass, Washington, has announced a new parking policy for the 2026-27 season. Starting next season on most weekends and holiday periods, reservations will be required to park before 10 a.m., with a mix of free, paid, and carpool reservations available. The majority of parking will continue to remain free, especially for guests who ride together, according to the resort’s website.
Stevens Pass said the three best ways to park on most weekend and holiday periods are for guests to reserve early, reserve closer to their visit, and arrive later and take advantage of night operations. Next season, on non-peak weekdays, parking remains free and first-come, first-served, with no reservations required. The resorts said that proceeds from paid reservations will continue to be reinvested in the parking and arrival experience.
“We designed this new plan to ensure that the majority of parking will continue to remain free, especially for guests who carpool. What’s different from the parking plan we announced last spring is the added flexibility of free reservations, released weekly ahead of weekends and holiday periods, in addition to paid reservations, released ahead of the season for those who prefer to plan further in advance,” Galbraith, Vice President and General Manager, said on Stevens Pass’ social media.
Parking reservations will be required on the following dates for the 2026-27 season:Â
- November 27-29 (if the resort is open)
- December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-31
- January 1-3, 9-10, 16-18, 23-24, 30-31
- February 6-7, 13-15, 20-21, 27-28
- March 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
Last April, Stevens Pass reversed its decision to implement a paid parking reservation system for the 2025-26 winter season following significant community feedback. The resort kept the current hybrid parking model used for that season, which combined free and paid parking options on weekends and peak days, emphasizing reservations and carpool incentives.
The initial plan proposed requiring $20 reservations for most vehicles during peak periods before 10 a.m., with exceptions for carpools of four or more people, single adults with two children under 12, ADA guests, and those booking lessons. However, season passholders and visitors felt the additional fees were unwarranted, given the high cost of skiing at Stevens Pass.
Stevens Pass current parking policy is a combination of free and paid parking options on weekends and peak periods, with the resort emphasizing guests to use the reservation system and carpooling incentives. This season the resort offers free parking at 100% of resort parking lots on a first-come, first-served basis on nonpeak weekdays. Reserved parking is available in 33% of total resort parking on weekends and peak periods in Lots G, A, B, and E.
