Crystal Mountain, WA – After all the other ski resorts in Washington State have already called it quits, Crystal Mountain plans to remain open Saturdays and Sundays and Memorial Day for skiing and snowboarding until May 28th or later, conditions permitting. Crystal is now one of seven ski resorts in North America still open.
Discounted tickets are being sold for all five lifts still operating weekends from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., including the resort’s Mt. Rainier Gondola. Crystal Mountain was the first ski resort in Washington to open this winter on November 18th and will be the last to close. With an 80- to 124-inch base and record spring snowfall, the skiing is still great. Snorting Elk bowl and beyond will be closed for trail maintenance for at least one more weekend. The new Airbag and some park features will move to Green Valley once the Forest Queen lift closes for the season.
With the opening of Cayuse Pass on May 8, residents of Eastern Washington are also able to enjoy the slopes and views at Crystal. Yakima is now as close to the ski resort as Seattle. Foot passengers can ride the Mt. Rainier Gondola and access breathtaking views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascade Range. Washington’s highest elevation restaurant, the Summit House, is also open at the summit of the resort.
Skiing will continue on weekends until the snow melts, says resort spokesperson Tiana Enger. The final day for skiing last season was July 16, 2011.