Ski Crystal Mountain - Guide to Skiing and Snowboarding in Crystal Mountain

Ski Crystal Mountain - Ski Resort and Snowsport Summary

Crystal Mountain, USA (1340m to 2130m)

Best known and largest of Washington's ski areas and a favourite of die-hard skiers who rate the local back-country ski opportunities as some of the country's best, Crystal Mountain is located in the Northeast corner of the Mount Rainier National Park. Boasting the area's biggest vertical and a high-speed six-seater chair, Crystal has a rustic Western feel.

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Crystal Mountain Ski Facts Crystal Mountain Ski Facts Expert Skiers Intermediate Skiers Snow Apres-ski    11 Black Runs    23 Red Runs    11 Blue Runs 40km Cross Country Trails 10 Ski Lifts 790m Max Vertical 2130m Highest Lift 1340m Lowest Piste 1340m Resort Altitude

Crystal Mountain in brief

The American ski resort of Crystal Mountain has direct access to 50 individual pistes, served by 10 ski lifts.

With skiing above 2000 metres, snow cover is generally reliable.

Snowmaking :- Crystal Mountain is able to augment natural snow, with 4 Snow Cannons.

Ski Lift Capacity :- The 10 Ski Lifts of Crystal Mountain are able to uplift 19,110 skiers / snowboarders per hour.

Skiing in Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain was chosen as the site for a ski area because of its consistent snowfall record and the variety of its terrain. The season normally runs from mid-November to mid-April and the annual snowfall averages 380 inches/32 ft/9.75m. The car park may be packed but once you're up on the mountain there's plenty of wide open space for everyone. The uplift capacity at Crystal Mountain is 19,110 skiers per hour with state-of -the-art lifts including two2 high speed 6 passenger chairs, two high speed quads, 2 triple and 3 double chairs so any after-lunch lift lines soon disappear. Specially designated slow areas have been set aside for beginners so they can learn safely without being surrounded by faster skiers. Six green runs make up 13% of the terrain. Broadway, Meadow and Skid Road all leave from the base station and return back there while Queens, and Snowgarden are further up but the route back down is all easy terrain. Intermediates are spoilt for choice with more than half of the skiable terrain (57%) made up of blue runs including the longest run, Northway, at 2.5 miles. Advanced and expert skiers will find plenty of terrain to challenge them especially the Powder Bowl and Campbell's Basin. One of the best ways to explore Crystal Mountain's rugged terrain of outback runs and learn the techniques required for safe backcountry skiing would be to book a lesson with the Ski School. Their professionally trained instructors will cover freeriding, steep techniques and more while helping you get to know the mountain. So confident are they of your progress that they actually guarantee all their group lessons. With 1,000 acres of backcountry terrain its worth trying snowshoes at Crystal Mountain. Rainier Rides Ski and Board Demo shop offer high performance Burton snowshoes for rental. These shoes are much more effective for climbing steep surfaces and have been proven time and time again on the face of East Peak. Poles are included with rental and maps are available for direction of hikes.

Snowboarding in Crystal Mountain

Crystal Mountain does'nt have a snowboard park yet but its natural terrain does make it a huge playground for riders. The chairlifts are a huge bonus for snowboarders - its so much easier to ride a chair than a T-bar especially for beginners. The Forest Queen Express and Chinook Express are both high speed 6-seaters providing access to steep and deep in the Powder Bowl and Campbell's Basin. With 1,000 acres of backcountry terrain riders have plenty of wide open space for cruising though if you are new to the area its best to take a guide or book a lesson with the Cascade Snowboard School. Their half-day courses have long been a favourite and are organised by ability so you won't spend too much valuable time standing around. A minimum one year's previous snowboarding lessons are required so the standard is pretty good and you're sure to pick up lots of tips on backcountry riding from their excellent team of qualified snowboarding instructors. 57% of the terrain is suitable for intermediates who will find plenty of natural jumps and hits. Rainier Rides Ski and Snowboard Demo shop feature top quality Burton and Salomon snowboards and the staff at RR will ensure that your board is set up correctly and your chosen equipment matches your needs.

Crystal Mountain Aprés Ski

The Snorting Elk Cellar Bar in the Alpine Inn is the place to go for apres-ski. Voted Top Ski Bar in the West by Snow Country Magazine its tucked away in the trees, across a little wooden bridge on the west side of the upper car park. The Snorting Elk very often has live music with bands travelling from Seattle.

Crystal Mountain Snow Reports by e-mail

For a Free 7-Day Snow Forecast for Crystal Mountain, including a Snow Report with current skiing conditions, just sign-up to our Ski Chat Forum and set Crystal Mountain as a favourite ski resort in your Profile.

Also of interest for Crystal Mountain, United States

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