Industry News
Summit at Snoqualmie, Washington, has revised its parking policy for the 2025-26 winter season, rolling back some of the stricter measures introduced last year in response to overcrowding and parking availability challenges. Paid parking will now be limited to weekends and holidays, a shift from the daily fees enforced in the 2024-25 season. Summit passholders with lift or Nordic access retain free parking privileges all season, with registration instructions emailed shortly after pass purchase.
- Related: Summit at Snoqualmie, WA, Unveils Controversial New Paid Parking System, Charging Up To $55 Per Day
The updated policy requires paid parking only on weekends and holidays—from Saturdays and Sundays starting November 29 through the season’s close, plus key holiday periods including December 26 to January 2, Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19), and Presidents Day (February 16). Visitors parking in Summit West, Central, and East lots face a flat fee of $15 per vehicle on these days, while Alpental lots carry a $25 fee. To encourage carpooling, vehicles carrying three or more individuals qualify for free parking in designated lots subject to availability, generally on a first-come, first-served basis with a 10 a.m. cut-off.
The Uphill Travel Pass no longer includes free parking and has new blackout dates coinciding with peak days. Those holding only this pass must pay parking fees on paid days.
The resort emphasizes that pilot parking changes introduced last season are under continual review to improve visitor experience, managing parking supply while accommodating demand. The move to flat fees and weekend-and-holiday enforcement aims to balance convenience for regular passholders with controls on overflow parking and non-lift users who previously impacted lot availability. Carpool incentives form part of broader efforts to minimize traffic congestion.
These changes come after the initial 2024-25 program drew reactions for daily fees up to $55 for non-passholders and limited free parking only to certain user groups. The revised 2025-26 approach is a tempered adjustment reflecting lessons learned, aiming for a more equitable and approachable system as the ski season begins.
Visitors are advised to register their vehicles for free parking eligibility if qualified, and to check The Summit’s Parking Guide on the official website for full details and updates prior to arrival.
The ski industry has seen a marked increase in the implementation of paid parking policies at resorts nationwide, driven by rising visitor numbers and ongoing challenges with parking capacity and traffic congestion. Many resorts now charge primarily on weekends and peak periods while offering limited free parking in less convenient lots. This helps manage the volume of vehicles, encourages carpooling, while generating revenue to fund parking lot improvements and other guest amenities.
Examples across the country differ from daily fees ranging from $10 to $50 or more and seasonal parking passes that can exceed several hundred dollars. The move toward reservation systems for parking began with strategies developed during the pandemic to control capacity and improve the arrival experience. However, not all resorts have avoided backlash; Stevens Pass in Washington notably reversed its newly proposed paid parking reservation plan after community criticism, opting to maintain a hybrid system of free and paid parking with carpool incentives.
