Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.Generate Key TakeawaysThe biggest ski area in Washington, Crystal Mountain, has changed a lot over the years. It’s no longer quiet. Like other mountains near Seattle, it's had to implement a parking reservation system to manage crowds. The old chapel in the base area is gone. But the ski resort’s biggest draw, its epic terrain, is unflinching. In national conversations, Crystal Mountain may fly under the radar sometimes, but at this ski resort, you’ll find lines and runs as good as any other destination on the continent, provided you know where to look.Keep reading for a breakdown of everything Crystal Mountain has to offer.Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.
Pow turn hunting in the Niagras. Photo: Jason Hummel/Courtesy Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain Stats
Acreage: 2,600
Vertical Feet: 2,612
Average Annual Snowfall: 348”
Number of Trails: 57
Terrain Breakdown: 11% beginner, 54% intermediate, 35% advanced/expert
Hardest Trail: Brain Damage
Easiest Trail: Discovery Meadow
Crystal Mountain History
Crystal Mountain’s history dates back to 1962, when the ski area opened with two chairlifts and a handful of surface rope tows. International attention quickly followed. In 1965, the National Alpine Championships came to Crystal Mountain, hosting ski racing royalty like Jimmie Huega, Billy Kidd, and Jean-Claude Killy. The ensuing decades saw a slow march towards modernization, including the installation of the Rainier Express in 1988, Washington’s first high-speed, detachable quad chairlift. In 2018, Alterra—the conglomerate purveyors of the multi-mountain Ikon Pass—became Crystal Mountain’s current owners. Three developments in the past few decades significantly altered Crystal Mountain’s feel. First and perhaps foremost, was the 2007 installation of the Northway lift. Before Northway’s arrival, the terrain the lift serves was a backcountry zone known for its hidden stashes. Now, once the ropes drop, skiers can hot lap through the area. The construction of the Campbell Basin Lodge in 2004 added a key mid-mountain waypoint. A recent total renovation of Crystal Mountain’s base area also transformed its look, bringing the ski resort into the modern era with plenty of exposed lumber and glass. Today, Crystal Mountain is a Washington hotspot frequented by Seattle residents during the gray, soggy winter months.
Views of Crystal Mountain's Rainier ExpressPhoto: Christy Pelland/Courtesy Crystal Mountain
Skiing at Crystal Mountain
At Crystal Mountain, the on-piste, groomed bases are covered by a fleet of lower-mountain lifts like the Chinook Express and Forest Queen. The latter serves as one intermediate ski hub, with standout cruisers like Downhill and Queens. Meanwhile, a trip up the Rainier Express—as its name implies—will deliver second-to-none views of Mt. Rainier, provided the conditions are clear. From there, a rip down the Upper Ferk’s ridgeline offers more glimpses at the surrounding mountain panorama. Try the Doors, which slide beneath Rainier Express, on a powder day.What about the duct-tape-adorned, Gore-Tex-wearing crowd who prefer a real challenge, though? You’ve got options, the South Back chief among them. This area, accessed by Chair 6, requires a hike or a traverse (there are a few access points) and can only be entered through a gate, keeping the crowds away. The zone’s central peak, the Silver King (you can just call it the "King"), has, in the past, hosted freeride competitions. It’s easy to see why. On one side, the King plunges into a network of steep, tight chutes, like Brain Damage and Pinball. But the peak’s backside, Silver Basin, is a more gentle powder field that, on the right day, might produce some of the best turns of your life—without the exposure. While backcountry equipment isn’t required in the South Back, it is recommended: the area is more prone to avalanches than other parts of Crystal Mountain.The North Back is another place to hunt for fresh snow, hidden stashes, and challenging runs. While the construction of the Northway lift means the powder doesn’t stick around as long as it used to, plenty of secret spots remain—as does a lingering “backcountry” feeling, even if the area’s now controlled. The Niagras, a wicked steep, sustained collection of faces below Gun Tower Ridge, often supply untouched stuff. A trip to Morning Glory Bowl, near the ski resort’s boundary, is worthwhile, too.
Related: The 10 Biggest Ski Resorts in North America for Maximum Fun
Arcing turns in A-Basin with views of the King.Photo: Henri Halle/Courtesy Crystal Mountain
When To Go
Timing your arrival at Crystal Mountain all depends on what you’re looking for. However, much like most mountains out West, midwinter will, in most cases, deliver the best conditions and snow. That includes the months of January, February, and March. Spring in the Pacific Northwest shouldn’t be discounted, though. Crystal Mountain often stays open into May with skiing in the Green Valley area, so for a different kind of mountain trip that involves slushy snow, sunny skies, and smaller lift lines, consider showing up towards the end of the season.
Where To Stay
From a lodging and amenities perspective, Crystal Mountain isn’t Jackson Hole, Whistler Blackcomb, or Vail Mountain. It doesn’t have a bustling base village. Instead, a few cozy hotels and lodges are peppered around the parking lot—that’s about it. One option is the Alpine Inn, a Bavarian-style hotel that includes a restaurant, bar, deli, and a simple, undeniably cozy lobby. Across the parking lot is the Silver Skis Chalet, a collection of condos built around a central pool. Other places to shack up at the mountain include the Quicksilver Lodge and the Village Inn. More interested in the van life? Crystal Mountain has a dedicated area for those who want to stay in their single RV, motorhome, or trailer. Thirty and 50-amp hookups are available.But you don’t need to stay at Crystal Mountain to ski there. Just down the road is the LOGE Alta Crystal, which has a heated pool, a hot tub, and several suites. The town of Greenwater, Washington, is home to a few Airbnbs, too.
Related: The 10 Best Uncrowded Ski Resorts in the U.S.
Looking to sit down before you chow down? The Summit House has high altitude views. Photo: Courtesy Crystal Mountain
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R1iekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2iekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframeWhere To Eat
Having snuck onto more than a few “best of” lists, the Snorting Elk, a classic après ski hangout and bar, may be more famous than the ski resort where it resides. On the bottom floor of the Alpine Inn, this dark—but not dingy—watering hole is everything a ski bar should be. The pints are cold. The atmosphere is warm. The ski day storytelling potential is stupendous. Above the Snorting Elk is the Alpine Inn Restaurant, which serves gourmet pasta, seafood, and steak.On the mountain, the Summit House is a sit-down spot near the top of the Rainier Express and Mt. Rainier Gondola with a unique superlative: it’s Washington’s highest elevation restaurant, perched at almost 7,000 feet. For something quicker, hit the Campbell Basin Lodge or head back to the base where the Mountain Commons and Cascade Lodges have a few places to fuel up, like Rafters.Wapiti Outdoors is a great pitstop on the way to Crystal Mountain along 410. Formerly known as Wapiti Woolies, the historic Greenwater establishment has a small retail space, a cafe, and a homey, rustic atmosphere.
When the skies are clear, Crystal Mountain's views are tough to beat—but you'll want to be prepared for rougher weather.Photo: Courtesy Crystal Mountain
What To Bring
The phrase “Cascade concrete” exists for a reason. The Pacific Northwest is wet, even in the winter. While Crystal Mountain totals nearly 400 inches of snow each year on average, these flakes often aren’t of the lighter variety found in Colorado or Utah. For gear, that means you’ll want a stable pair of all-mountain skis on hand to handle the variable conditions. Waterproof shell outerwear is a good idea, too. Washington’s mountains are wild, but they aren’t particularly cold, so you might overheat with an insulated coat or pants. The frequently overcast conditions favor low-light goggle lenses.
Off-Mountain and Summer Activities at Crystal Mountain
Crystal Mountain’s summer activities revolve around the Mt. Rainier Gondola, which offers scenic rides throughout the warmer months. From the upper ridge, it's much easier to spot Mt. Rainier when you don't have to tangle snow storms. Beyond sightseeing, a few hikes of varying lengths and difficulties wind back down the slopes (you can skip the gondola and hike uphill, too). Some, like the Northway Trail and Crystal Mountain Trail, reach the base area. Crystal Mountain also features a disc golf course, a climbing wall with auto belays, and an adventure course.
Related: Jackson Hole: Where To Ski and What To Do
Crystal Mountain: Where To Ski and What To Do first appeared on Powder on Jun 28, 2025
