Ski Lifts & Terrain General Information
Stevens Pass ski resort is serviced by ten ski lifts ranging from doubles to high-speed detachable quads. The links below take you to pages that provide descriptions, pictures, and videos of each lift and the area of the mountain that it accesses.
FRONT SIDE LIFTS
Kehr's (formerly Chief)
Type: Double
Wait time: short (usually)
Off load: medium (long and fairly steep)
Terrain: Showcase (BLUE) - steep, but groomed, this is a wide run with lots of room to practice your carving technique. This is the perfect run to take when you're ready to try skiing/riding in moguls - there are bumps on either side that are easy to get into and (more importantly) out of. I-5 (BLACK)- all moguls from top to bottom, but not too steep. This run often has some of the softest snow on the front side.
Recommendations:
The beauty of Kehr's is the lack of lines (usually). If you are comfortable with single black diamond runs, then this is an excellent way to access the back side (via the Double Diamond lift) without waiting in the long lines at Hogsback.
Wait time: short (usually)
Off load: medium (long and fairly steep)
Terrain: Showcase (BLUE) - steep, but groomed, this is a wide run with lots of room to practice your carving technique. This is the perfect run to take when you're ready to try skiing/riding in moguls - there are bumps on either side that are easy to get into and (more importantly) out of. I-5 (BLACK)- all moguls from top to bottom, but not too steep. This run often has some of the softest snow on the front side.
Recommendations:
The beauty of Kehr's is the lack of lines (usually). If you are comfortable with single black diamond runs, then this is an excellent way to access the back side (via the Double Diamond lift) without waiting in the long lines at Hogsback.
Daisy
Type: Quad
Wait time: medium to long
Off load: easy
Terrain: Tye Creek, Easy Street (GREEN) - These runs off Daisy are long and gentle - perfect for when you are just learning the sport.
Wait time: medium to long
Off load: easy
Terrain: Tye Creek, Easy Street (GREEN) - These runs off Daisy are long and gentle - perfect for when you are just learning the sport.
Hogsback
Type: Quad
Wait time: Long (unless you are with instructor)
Off load: easy but crowded
Terrain: Rock'n Blue, Hog Heaven, Blue Trail (BLUE)- These groomed and moderately steep runs make a perfect "next step" when you are ready to say goodbye to Daisy. Parachute (BLACK) - looks scary when you are heading up the lift, but it's actually a great place to go when you are ready to try a diamond level run. It is especially nice in fresh powder.
Recommendations: This is an excellent lift to choose when you are ready to begin exploring intermediate terrain. The lift lines get pretty long, so the best times to ride Hogsback are in lessons (when the instructor takes you around the line), and in the afternoons.
Wait time: Long (unless you are with instructor)
Off load: easy but crowded
Terrain: Rock'n Blue, Hog Heaven, Blue Trail (BLUE)- These groomed and moderately steep runs make a perfect "next step" when you are ready to say goodbye to Daisy. Parachute (BLACK) - looks scary when you are heading up the lift, but it's actually a great place to go when you are ready to try a diamond level run. It is especially nice in fresh powder.
Recommendations: This is an excellent lift to choose when you are ready to begin exploring intermediate terrain. The lift lines get pretty long, so the best times to ride Hogsback are in lessons (when the instructor takes you around the line), and in the afternoons.
Skyline
Type: Quad
Wait time: short to medium
Off load: easy and flat
Terrain: Skyline and Barrier Ridge (BLUE) - Perfect for perfecting your carving skills. The runs are long, the snow is groomed, and the line is shorter than Hogsback. Headwall and Exhibition (BLACK) - Both are short and bumpy, making them excellent places to learn to negotiate moguls. Lower Terminal, Winnie Chute (DOUBLE BLACK) - Students who are comfortable with expert-only runs are often use these runs to access the terrain park without taking the slower Brooks chair.
Recommendations: Like Hogsback, this lift provides endless opportunities for intermediate skiers/riders to enjoy the mountain. Be careful stay on maintained runs and out of the woods or you might end up out of bounds and in lots of trouble.
Wait time: short to medium
Off load: easy and flat
Terrain: Skyline and Barrier Ridge (BLUE) - Perfect for perfecting your carving skills. The runs are long, the snow is groomed, and the line is shorter than Hogsback. Headwall and Exhibition (BLACK) - Both are short and bumpy, making them excellent places to learn to negotiate moguls. Lower Terminal, Winnie Chute (DOUBLE BLACK) - Students who are comfortable with expert-only runs are often use these runs to access the terrain park without taking the slower Brooks chair.
Recommendations: Like Hogsback, this lift provides endless opportunities for intermediate skiers/riders to enjoy the mountain. Be careful stay on maintained runs and out of the woods or you might end up out of bounds and in lots of trouble.
Brooks
Type: Quad
Wait time: short
Off load: tricky (short, steep, with turn at the bottom)
Terrain: Broadway, Brennan's Trail (BLUE) - wide open intermediate runs without much in the way of crowds. Top Phlite Terrain Park (BLACK) - a very popular destination for many Ski School participants, the park has jumps, boxes, and rails for all ability levels.
Recommendations: The lines are short, but the lift is slow. Brooks offers a number of wide-open intermediate level runs. It also provides access to the terrain park.
Wait time: short
Off load: tricky (short, steep, with turn at the bottom)
Terrain: Broadway, Brennan's Trail (BLUE) - wide open intermediate runs without much in the way of crowds. Top Phlite Terrain Park (BLACK) - a very popular destination for many Ski School participants, the park has jumps, boxes, and rails for all ability levels.
Recommendations: The lines are short, but the lift is slow. Brooks offers a number of wide-open intermediate level runs. It also provides access to the terrain park.
Tye Mill
Type: Triple
Wait time: medium to short
Off load: easy, but long
Terrain: Skid Road and Crest Trail (BLUE) are both fun, fast groomed runs.These runs often have the best snow of any intermediate runs on the mountain.
If you like bumps, you'll love Roller Coaster. Enter behind the big mountain map for softer snow. Although Tye Bowl (BLACK) is not a designated run, many people ski there. Please be aware that rocks and holes are common hazard here. On your way up the lift you can't miss Tye Rock (DOUBLE DIAMOND -BLACK). We strongly discourage attempting to jump off this feature. Most jumps don't end well. Humiliation and injury are more likely than glory.
Recommendations: Tye Mill has great snow and quick lines, making it an excellent choice on the front side. This is also the most common way to access the Backside. The view as you reach the top of the lift is spectacular - as is all the skiable acreage that awaits you.
Wait time: medium to short
Off load: easy, but long
Terrain: Skid Road and Crest Trail (BLUE) are both fun, fast groomed runs.These runs often have the best snow of any intermediate runs on the mountain.
If you like bumps, you'll love Roller Coaster. Enter behind the big mountain map for softer snow. Although Tye Bowl (BLACK) is not a designated run, many people ski there. Please be aware that rocks and holes are common hazard here. On your way up the lift you can't miss Tye Rock (DOUBLE DIAMOND -BLACK). We strongly discourage attempting to jump off this feature. Most jumps don't end well. Humiliation and injury are more likely than glory.
Recommendations: Tye Mill has great snow and quick lines, making it an excellent choice on the front side. This is also the most common way to access the Backside. The view as you reach the top of the lift is spectacular - as is all the skiable acreage that awaits you.
7th Heaven
Type: Double
Wait time: none
Off load: difficult (steep, narrrow, crowded)
Terrain: Rock Garden (DOUBLE DIAMOND - BLACK) often has the best snow on the mountain. For a great run, follow the traverse line all the way across before you drop in. Cloud 9 (DOUBLE DIAMOND - BLACK) is a steep bumpy adrenaline pump - use at your own discretion. Bobby Chute and Nancy Chute (DOUBLE DIAMOND - BLACK) - these two runs are accessed by a short hike uphill from the off load area. The snow is usually great and you come out back at the Seventh Heaven lift, but if you fall everyone on the lift is going to enjoy the show.
Recommendations: There is no easy way down off this lift - don't go here until you are comfortable with steep, mogulled terrain. It is best for you to stay out of Meadows (the area to the far left as you come off the lift). There are several safe ways out of it, but it is easy to find yourself stuck above a cliff band.
Wait time: none
Off load: difficult (steep, narrrow, crowded)
Terrain: Rock Garden (DOUBLE DIAMOND - BLACK) often has the best snow on the mountain. For a great run, follow the traverse line all the way across before you drop in. Cloud 9 (DOUBLE DIAMOND - BLACK) is a steep bumpy adrenaline pump - use at your own discretion. Bobby Chute and Nancy Chute (DOUBLE DIAMOND - BLACK) - these two runs are accessed by a short hike uphill from the off load area. The snow is usually great and you come out back at the Seventh Heaven lift, but if you fall everyone on the lift is going to enjoy the show.
Recommendations: There is no easy way down off this lift - don't go here until you are comfortable with steep, mogulled terrain. It is best for you to stay out of Meadows (the area to the far left as you come off the lift). There are several safe ways out of it, but it is easy to find yourself stuck above a cliff band.
Double Diamond
Type: Triple
Wait time: none
Off load: moderate (very long)
Terrain: The Double Diamond (BLACK) run is very steep and very bumpy. It is best to wait for several inches of fresh snow, otherwise it can be a long icy way to the bottom. Chief Bowl (NOT RECOMMENDED) is not a designate run, but many people ski it. Getting into it, especially from above the lift shack is extremely dangerous. We recommend that you avoid this area. Orion is a long, fabulous run down to the bottom of the Backside. It's a great place to get first tracks after a powder dump, or to enjoy slushy spring snow on a warm sunny day. Aquarius Face is a wide, steep slope that is accessed by following the ridge and then dropping down the Backside. Wild Katz is steep, narrow, and usually icy. Most people don't enjoy this one.
Wait time: none
Off load: moderate (very long)
Terrain: The Double Diamond (BLACK) run is very steep and very bumpy. It is best to wait for several inches of fresh snow, otherwise it can be a long icy way to the bottom. Chief Bowl (NOT RECOMMENDED) is not a designate run, but many people ski it. Getting into it, especially from above the lift shack is extremely dangerous. We recommend that you avoid this area. Orion is a long, fabulous run down to the bottom of the Backside. It's a great place to get first tracks after a powder dump, or to enjoy slushy spring snow on a warm sunny day. Aquarius Face is a wide, steep slope that is accessed by following the ridge and then dropping down the Backside. Wild Katz is steep, narrow, and usually icy. Most people don't enjoy this one.
BACK SIDE LIFTS
Jupiter (Upper lift on back side)
Type: Quad
Wait time: medium
Off load: easy
Terrain: On your left as you off load is Gemini (GREEN), the only beginner run on the Backside. It can be a long wonderful run, but it can also be icy and foggy. To get to the lifts you have to either go left onto Lower Gemini (steeper) or right onto Outer Limits (not steep at all). On your right as you off load is Aquarius (BLUE),a long, open intermediate run. You'll have to do a little bit of skating before you drop in, otherwise you'll end up having to take trails through the trees and following the lift down. If you're looking for steeps, bumps, thrills (and possible spills) try Corona Bowl (DOUBLE BLACK). Look for the signed entrance on your left after you pass by the buckle up area for Tye Mill.
Recommendations: Be aware that the runs on the Backside are so long that conditions are often different between the top and the bottom (where it is often icy). At the top of the lift you will see a sign warning you to stay out because of cliffs - stay out!
Wait time: medium
Off load: easy
Terrain: On your left as you off load is Gemini (GREEN), the only beginner run on the Backside. It can be a long wonderful run, but it can also be icy and foggy. To get to the lifts you have to either go left onto Lower Gemini (steeper) or right onto Outer Limits (not steep at all). On your right as you off load is Aquarius (BLUE),a long, open intermediate run. You'll have to do a little bit of skating before you drop in, otherwise you'll end up having to take trails through the trees and following the lift down. If you're looking for steeps, bumps, thrills (and possible spills) try Corona Bowl (DOUBLE BLACK). Look for the signed entrance on your left after you pass by the buckle up area for Tye Mill.
Recommendations: Be aware that the runs on the Backside are so long that conditions are often different between the top and the bottom (where it is often icy). At the top of the lift you will see a sign warning you to stay out because of cliffs - stay out!
Southern Cross (Lower lift on back side)
Type: triple
Wait time: short (usually)
Off load: difficult (long, steep, turn at bottom)
Terrain: The Double Diamond (DOUBLE BLACK) run is very steep and very bumpy. It is best to wait for several inches of fresh snow, otherwise it can be a long icy way to the bottom. Chief Bowl is not a designate run (NOT RECOMMENDED), but many people ski it. Getting into it, especially from above the lift shack is extremely dangerous. We recommend that you avoid this area. Orion (BLACK) is a long, fabulous run down to the bottom of the Backside. It's a great place to get first tracks after a powder dump, or to enjoy slushy spring snow on a warm sunny day. Aquarius Face (BLACK) is a wide, steep slope that is accessed by following the ridge and then dropping down the Backside.
Wait time: short (usually)
Off load: difficult (long, steep, turn at bottom)
Terrain: The Double Diamond (DOUBLE BLACK) run is very steep and very bumpy. It is best to wait for several inches of fresh snow, otherwise it can be a long icy way to the bottom. Chief Bowl is not a designate run (NOT RECOMMENDED), but many people ski it. Getting into it, especially from above the lift shack is extremely dangerous. We recommend that you avoid this area. Orion (BLACK) is a long, fabulous run down to the bottom of the Backside. It's a great place to get first tracks after a powder dump, or to enjoy slushy spring snow on a warm sunny day. Aquarius Face (BLACK) is a wide, steep slope that is accessed by following the ridge and then dropping down the Backside.