General terms:
* Knife-edge ridge: This emphasizes the sharp, narrow nature of an arête.
* Crest: A general term for the top of a ridge, though it doesn't specifically imply sharpness.
* Mountain spine: This term evokes the image of a long, thin ridge running along a mountain.
Specific terms:
* Glacial arête: This is used when you want to emphasize the role of glaciers in forming the arête.
* Cirque arête: This refers to an arête that forms the boundary between two cirques (bowl-shaped depressions).
Ultimately, the best alternative depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.