STEVENS PASS — If you want to ensure a parking spot on a busy day at Stevens Pass next winter, it could cost you $20.
Or an extra early wake-up.
Or you could just bring three friends.
Vail Resorts announced Friday that one-third of spaces will be reservable for $20 on weekends and holidays in the 2024-25 season. All spaces in lots A, B, E and G will need to be reserved on those days. The idea is to encourage more carpooling and ensure people don’t get iced out of parking during busy times.
On weekends, holidays and other “peak” periods, parking will still be free for:
• Cars with four or more occupants;
• Cars with a single adult and two children ages 12 and under;
• Early arrivers who snag the two-thirds of parking that will remain on a first-come, first-served basis.
All parking lots will be free on “non-peak weekdays” — generally Monday to Friday.
“This plan allows our guests to choose their own arrival experience, whether it’s guaranteeing a spot in advance with reservations-based parking or utilizing one of our free first-come, first-served lots,” said Ellen Galbraith, general manager of Stevens Pass, in a statement. “After the improvement we saw this season with carpool-only lots, we anticipate an even greater efficiency with this new program.”
This season, the resort opened carpool-only lots for vehicles with four or more passengers “and found that carpool incentives reduced vehicle volumes.”
On the ski resort’s website, there’s a new FAQ section under “Getting Here & Parking.”
“Q: Is this about driving additional revenue?”
“A: No. We would consider this the greatest success if we collected no money at all. This plan is designed to encourage more guests to carpool, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and improving overall flow and access to our resorts.”
Shuttle service is also available via To The Mountain Shuttle, with stops in Seattle’s University District, Kirkland, Woodinville and Monroe. The service launched in 2022.
Find more information at stevenspass.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
