Crystal Mountain is Washington State's only destination resort for alpine skiing. Located on the border of Mt. Rainier National Park, views from the summit include Mount Rainier, the 14,400-foot volcano. Nearly half of Crystal's terrain is "inbounds backcountry," meaning about a thousand acres normally out-of-bounds is opened by the ski patrol when conditions are right. The lifts don't operate in this area, but you access it from the top of inbounds lifts. Woods, chutes, and deep bowls challenge your inner-balance mechanisms and you eventually arrive at the Crystal access road where regular shuttles await to take you back to the base area. Crystal Mountain is popular with Seattle skiers and riders because of its comprehensive terrain, but you hear stories of Canadian ski hill employees taking their vacations at Crystal.
Three hotels, nearly a hundred condominiums, shuttle bus on weekends. Camper facilities, 21 hookups for overnight parking at area.
Two full service restaurants, two cafeterias, deli-expresso bar, complete day lodge, two full service bars, pub, and salon. A new 12,500-square-foot on-mountain restaurant, dubbed Campbell Basin Lodge, near the top of the Forest Queen lift. Sports shop, post office, grocery, and chapel at area. Ski patrol first aid room; Community Memorial Hospital 39 miles away. Ski rental and repair at slope and in Seattle and Enumclaw. Cross country rental and repair in Seattle and Enumclaw. Ski classes in racing, moguls, powder, telemark, snowboarding, Junior and children.
Alpile skiing, telemarking and snowboarding.
Snowboarding on open trails. Lessons and rentals available.
There is no cross-country skiing, either at the mountain or nearby.
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| Elevation | Lifts | Terrain |
|---|---|---|
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Top: 7012 FT Bottom: 4400 FT Vertical Drop: 3100 FT Skiable Terrain: 2600 acres Number of Runs: 57 Snow Making: 23 acres |
Total Lifts: na Surface Lifts: 1 Capacity: 19110 |
Beginner Runs: 11% Intermediate Runs: 51% Advanced Runs: 38% Expert Runs: 0% Average Snowfall: 350 IN |
| Dates | More | |
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Projected Days Open: na Days Open Last Year: 150 Year Open: 1962 |
Regionwide comparison Wikiski OnTheSnow.com Resort Guide for Crystal-Mountain | |
