beneath Denny Mountain. People backcountry ski, snowshoe and ice climb in Alpental Valley using the upper parking lots, traditionally known as lots 3 and 4, as a starting point. Olympic gold medalist Debbie Armstrong developed her skills at Alpental while growing up in Seattle. The run "Debbie's Gold" and the "Armstrong Express" chairlift are named for her. Avalanches are a risk in the Alpental Valley; a number of people have died in the valley as a results of avalanches. Ownership and development The land in the valley is in a mixture of public and private ownership. Most of the upper slopes of the valley are publicly owned under the management of the United States Forest Service (USFS). The Summit at Snoqualmie (including Alpental) is owned by CNL Income Properties with a long-term lease to Boyne USA Resorts. The ski runs of the Alpental Ski Area are on USFS Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest land and are operated under a Special Use Permit (SUP) Additional smaller private development includes two condo complexes in the upper valley, a small number of private homes in one Bavarian themed subdivision in the mid-valley that began in 1968. In the lower valley are two lodges of outdoor clubs: The Washington Alpine Club on the west and the Sahalie Ski Club on the east which operates two private rope tows above its lodge. These lodges have been cited as significant sources of particulate air pollution in the valley. In 1995 the Sahalie Ski Club clear-cut logged seven acres of land resulted in litigation with the mid-valley home owners over resulting avalanche issues. References Further reading For more information of recreation in the Alpental Valley see: For maps of the area see: External links The Summit at Snoqualmie Ski Area Alpental website - History of Alpental and virtual tours Landforms of King County, Washington Valleys of Washington (state) Cascade Range Ski areas and resorts in Washington (state) Buildings and structures in King County, Washington Tourist attractions in King County, Washington