Crystal Mountain, WA – Crystal Mountain Resort opened for skiing in December 1962 with two lifts, one T-bar and seven rope tows. Today Crystal Mountain has 10 chairlifts, including Washington State’s only eight-passenger gondola.
Crystal opened for its 50th season on November 21, 2012 and will celebrate its anniversary this Saturday. The day will start with giveaways around the mountain and end with a celebration in the Bullwheel beginning at 7 p.m. The evening party, for those 21 and over, will provide entertainment including live music by FreddyPink, an interactive photo booth, giveaways, dancing, food and drink specials and more.
Over the past five decades Crystal Mountain has made many improvements to the area such as adding high speed lifts, including the Rainier Express chair which was installed in 1988 and was the first high-speed quad in Washington, along with the Forest Queen Express, Chinook Express and Green Valley lifts. The base area facilities were expanded and a 12,500 square foot lodge was added mid-mountain. Most recently under John Kircher’s leadership, the Mt. Rainier Gondola and Northway chairlifts were added. Boyne Resorts purchased Crystal Mountain in 1997 and has invested more than $30 million in the area.