Crystal Mountain, WA – Just four months after closing for skiing in July, Washington’s largest ski resort plans to open this Friday, based upon a snow-filled forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.
“It’s a bold move to announce the opening date before we have enough snow, but we are pretty confident that the weather will produce enough snow over the next couple days to put us in really good shape for a limited opening on Friday,” said Crystal Mountain’s marketing director, Tiana Enger.
If all goes according to plan the Mt. Rainier Gondola and Green Valley chairlift will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lift tickets will be reduced to $35 on Friday. Scenic gondola rides will be available for $20. Additional terrain will open as the snowpack continues to build. Crystal Mountain is hoping to open Discovery, Chinook Express and Forest Queen Express chairlifts by Saturday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Cascade Mountains of Washington State for Wednesday and Thursday and is predicting a few feet of snow. Currently there is just over a foot of snow on the ground in Green Valley at Crystal.