Crystal Mountain Ski Resort - Washington

Address:Crystal Mountain, Washington
Tel: (360) 663-2265

Crystal Mountain is probably Washington State's residents' best kept secret. Nestled in the Cascades Mountains overlooking Rainier National Park, this backcountry filled mountain is all about variety. The views are breathtaking, and its proximity to Seattle makes it just a hop, skip, and a jump away from big city shopping and nightlife.

Crystal Mountain has is a true powder hound's paradise. At times the snow at the top can be up to 12 feet deep, and there have been days with over 50 inches of snowfall! But it's not just about the snow. Crystal Mountain is 2,300 acres of variety. The mountain is known as a hardcore skiing playground, and the new Northway chair lift means you no longer have to hike up to your adventure. Almost half of the 50 runs serviced by Crystal Mountain's 11 lifts are black diamond, but don't let that intimidate you. There is plenty of intermediate and beginner acreage for the less experienced skier as well.

About 1,000 of Crystal Mountain's acres are "inbounds backcountry," meaning that what would normally be considered out of bound terrain is opened to the public when the snow and visibility are right. This is just one reason why people come to Crystal Mountain. The less than ten minute ride up the mountain on the Northway leads to even more variety. one is faced with the choice of skiing Snorting Elk Bowl, Northway Bowl, Paradise Bowl or Bruce's Bowl, with woods, chutes, and deep bowls that would challenge even the most advanced skiers. Alternatively, one can follow Right Angle Ridge to expert glades and chutes, or to drops like Morning Glory Bowl and Brand X.

Weather permitting, Crystal Mountain opens its doors in mid-to-late November and closes down around mid-April. During the season, Crystal Mountain is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and on weekends and holidays from 8:30am to 4pm. There is no night skiing at Crystal Mountain.

Crystal Mountain offers a variety of services for its visitors. There is an express bus that runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays to bring guests from Seattle, Gig Harbor, and Tacoma. The bus arrives by 9:00am and is ready for departure by 4:00pm. It's a luxurious way for those living in or visiting the area to get a taste of Crystal Mountain. For those not using the weekend bus service and driving in from Seattle or other lodgings in the area, there are four shuttle buses to take you directly from the lower parking lot to the ticket plaza and back. Due to the high percentage of back country skiing, the resort has an Avalanche Beacon Practice Area, so if you're unsure how to use your equipment it's wise to stop by here to get into the groove of things.

Daytime dining here is definitely not a problem. Your must-do while visiting Crystal Mountain is to make your way up to the Summit View Restaurant. Located at an elevation of 6872 feet, you can catch breathtaking views while you eat your lunch or sip on a glass of wine. A wide variety of additional lunchtime dining choices are available here. Campbell Basin Lodge features an upscale food court, while the Bullwheel serves both lunch and dinner with a fast food style menu. Make sure to check out the après-ski drinks and live entertainment on weekends. The resort also has its own market for those into self-catering with a hot latte and gourmet hotdog stand right inside. Make sure to check out the Alpine Inn with its deli restaurant, and the local's favorite Snorting Elk Cellar.

One of the main reasons the main crowds that flock here are locals and hardcore skiers is due to the lack of amenities which would usually attract families to these types of resorts. When the lifts shut down at 4:00pm, the kids are stuck without entertainment, and whenever the bartender decides it's time for last call and the Snorting Elk mom and dad are also left bored. If you're interested in the pure skiing adventure then make sure to hit up Crystal Mountain during the week. Weekends are jam packed with local season pass holders, and once the parking lot is full they start turning people away to ensure there's no overcrowding on the slopes. So if you're here for the weekend, make sure to hit the slopes early.

There are a wide variety of lodging facilities in the Crystal Mountain Area. There are numerous hotels, hundreds of condominiums, camper facilities that include 21 hookups for overnight parking in the area, and additional lodging options nearby. Enumclaw is the nearest major town, and is a great place to stop to get food, gear, and supplies. Finally, Seattle is only 76 miles away and, thanks to the weekend Shuttle bus, one can happily spend their nights checking out the Seattle nightlife after hitting the slopes all day.

A place you can relax and reflect in the majesty of the towering peaks and sweeping views. And challenge your spirit on the soul-rousing slopes. It's here that the true energy of winter breathes new life into your body. The key word here is variety. 2300 acres of just what you want when you want it. From gentle groomed cruising runs for beginners to challenging steeps – backcountry, glades, chutes and unbelievable black runs for the more adventurous, This is why SKIING Magazine voted us the #7 top mountain in North America. To give you the most for your money, Crystal Mountain has invested millions in top of the line high-speed lifts. Two six-person lifts and two high-speed quads ensure you'll spend less time resting and more time enjoying the slopes.