Crystal Mountain Resort in Washington & Escape2ski provides info on; vertical drop 3100ft/945m, total trails 57, closest airport 73mi/118km, lifts 11, & more.

Crystal Mountain Resort is located in the Silver Creek Valley within the Mt Rainier National Park at the end of the 6mi/12km Crystal Mountain Blvd. Long before the area was known as a winter playground for skiers and snowboarders, prospectors and mining companies were drawn to the area, once known as the Summit Mining District in the hopes of striking it rich as traces of gold were found there in the late 1800s.

After the hopes of mining prosperity and riches declined in the early 1900s, it would be nearly four decades before the region would be revived by a group of dedicated skiers who had dreams of bringing winter recreation into this majestic valley.

A proposal was submitted to the Forest Service in 1955 with the hope of creating a ski area on the east and north facing slopes of Crystal Mountain. It took several years for approval to be granted, but finally, Crystal Mountain Resort opened for business on December 8, 1962, with a day lodge, access to the Gold Hill slopes, Miners Basin and Iceberg Ridge all serviced by seven rope tows and a T-Bar.

Crystal Mountain Resort enjoyed immediate success and with that came the plan to expand the terrain, increase uphill capacity and add lodging. The Green Valley double chairlift was installed for the 1963 winter season, and the first of several on-mountain lodging options opened in February of 1964. The second double chairlift, named the Quicksilver opened in 1965 and night skiing on several trails was introduced in 1967.

The next three decades saw continued growth and expansion at Crystal Mountain Resort. In 1970, Campbell Basin opened in the high alpine with lift access, along with the installation and opening of the Mt Rainier Gondola on January 1, 2011.

Today, Crystal Mountain Resort has expanded to feature incredible terrain spread over seven peaks that include Summit, Morning Glory, Silver King, and North Way, and from each peak, you’ll find and incredible view of Mt Rainier.

The resort has had several ownership groups throughout its history, but each new owner has maintained the pure culture of skiing and snowboarding in this intimate mountain setting nestled in the horseshoe-shaped valley. Today, Crystal Mountain Resort is a premier winter destination and the largest ski area in Washington State.

On the Slopes

• Crystal Mountain Resort has advanced to expert terrain in the high alpine such as Campbell Basin, the double black terrain of Powder Bowl, and Morning Glory Bowl that will provide a challenge to even the most seasoned veterans.
• Crystal Mountain Resort is also a family mountain that provides a dedicated area for beginners located near the base area with access to runs from the Gold Hill, Quicksilver, and Discovery lifts.
• The resort features two terrain parks, Disco Park at the lower end of the Quicksilver Chairlift in discovery Meadows is designed for beginners and has small jumps, boxes, flat boxes, and rails.
• Silver Park is the more advanced park located on the Lower Arwine’s green run that provides enthusiasts with medium and large jumps, boxes. and rails.
• The Crystal Mountain Resort Snowsports School has a dedicated team of professional instructors who can help improve the skills of first-time skiers/boarders or experienced snow sports enthusiasts alike. Lessons are provided for children, youths, and adults. Group and private lessons are offered for youth and adults. There is even a Multi-Week Program for children that last six weeks.

Off the Slopes

• Crystal Mountain Resort provides an intimate village setting at the base area of the slopes. There are several lodging options that include the Alpine Inn, Crystal Chalets, Village Inn, Quicksilver Lodge, and Silver Skis Chalet.
• You can bring your own lodging to Crystal Mountain Resort as nightly RV Parking is available for a fee in the west bank of Lot B that is only a short walking distance to the slopes. There are 65 spots available with power hook-up on a first come basis. Note, the maximum stay limit is 14 days.
• Food and beverage are available throughout the base area at various distinctive places where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Options include Bullwheel Bar and Restaurant, Cascade Grill, Chinook Café, Fireside Café, and the Alpine Inn Restaurant, plus check out the Snorting Elk Cellar for après ski.
• Retail is available at Right Angle Sports located in the day lodge where you can shop for the latest gear, apparel and other necessities you require to make your time on the mountain most enjoyable.
• Crystal Mountain Resort offers evening guided Snowshoe Tours on Saturday evenings’, weather permitting from mid-December to mid-March. Tours last approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. The alpine tour begins with a ride up the Gold Hills lift, and then you’ll make your way through the Bullion Basin area.
• The Mt Rainer Gondola provides scenic rides in both winter and summer and when you reach the summit on a clear day, you can enjoy spectacular views of the 14,411ft/4392m Mt Rainier along with the Cascade Mountain Range.
• The Summit House Restaurant, Washington’s highest elevation restaurant is a great place to meet with family and friends for lunch and enjoy the majestic views. It is located near the Mt Rainier Gondola.