Crystal Mountain, WA - 11/25/2006

Thanks everyone for your input!!

We have decided to ski 2 days at Baker (prolly sat/sun) and 2 days at Crystal (mon/tue) and we are going to rent a 4wd.

Since we only have 4 days, we don't want to take any chances, especially on a powder day. It is a little extra insurance we feel it is worth spending on.

We are bringing backcountry gear and are hopeful that we can hook up with someone to show us some interesting terrain (we have beacons, shovels, probes, skins, AT gear and we are expert-level skiers), so if there's a local reading this who wants to show 2 really fun people what Baker and Crystal have to offer beyond the lifts, we are game. We are from the east, and we won't be coming back to poach your stashes any time soon, so your secret will be kept with us. We'll buy you beer and even give you a ride from Seattle if necessary. We appreciate and value local knowledge, which sometimes can be difficult to come by.

Hit the PM button at the bottom of my post if you'd like to contact me directly.
 
Tony Crocker":1s22qwlj said:
Crystal is big-time skiing; including the controlled North and South Backcountries terrain comparisons to Squaw Valley are not inappropriate.
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I mostly ski Squaw/Alpine, but would trade in my relative proximity to Squaw to be near Crystal again.

Squaw has more extensive expert terrain.

Crystal has a lot more lift-served backcountry.

Usuable verticals are similar for both.

Snow. Squaw seems to get more snow though gets skied out quicker, gets more wind-compaction and more sun. Crystal is a little wetter, less wind and less sun which can preserve things slightly better.

Crowding/Traffic. Squaw is far worse. The 1.75 hrs to Crystal does not compare to the 3.25 (to 5) hr !-80 hell through the sprawl of Sacramento. On mountain, I think Crystal has the edge.

Media Exposure. Everyone knows Squaw - especially through numerous huckfest 90s films. Crystal what, where - is that in Michigan? (Finally, Crystal WA is above Crystal MI in Google results.)
 
To be fair, you would need to live in Sacramento not the Bay Area to compare driving to Crystal from Seattle.

Other points:
1) Squaw averages more snow at upper elevation 445 vs. 391 as Crystal is somewhat in Rainier's shadow. Base area snowfall is more at Crystal but Crystal also gets more rain.
2) I think Squaw's snow preservation is better. Crystal has had heavy unfrozen-overnight snow both times I was there, and one of those was in early February. The lower elevation and more marine environment at Crystal will make that condition more common.
3) Also contributing is that Crystal faces east, with roughly equal north and south exposures. The upper part of Squaw also faces east, but that's where the most snow is. The KT area gets less snow but faces north.
4) The north and south backcountries at Crystal are probably the most extensive such terrain in North American lift served skiing. If powder is your top priority, no question Crystal is much better because of the backcountries and also due to intense competition at Squaw. For non-powder days I'll take Squaw.
5) The above factors tend to make Squaw more attractive to the visiting skier and Crystal better for the resident who can cherry pick when to ski. Thus I rank Seattle as 4th best metro area for skiing, better than Denver or Sacramento.
 
Tony Crocker":ctvykalg said:
To be fair, you would need to live in Sacramento not the Bay Area to compare driving to Crystal from Seattle.
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Bay Area and Seattle have the same industry and economic advantages to me - so I will compare from these locations. Sac-town is off the table as a place to live.

Tony Crocker":ctvykalg said:
Thus I rank Seattle as 4th best metro area for skiing, better than Denver or Sacramento.
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What are #1-3? Obviously, Salt Lake. Maybe Vancouver - with 1-2 local mountains in the city limits and Whistler 1.5 hrs away? If you have a link, please post it.
 
Sharon":x6cfcsq9 said:
We are going. Booked plane tix this morning Dec 8-13.

We have 4 days to ski, sat-tues.
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It's looking good for your trip. I still get these Powder Alerts so thought I'd pass it along to ya.

Rare ? Extended Powder Alert? Major Weather Pattern Shift.

Big snows ahead -- next week. Several feet of quality, possible (2-4ft). I wanna give you a heads-up, get ahead of the curve, to the front of the line, be proactive. I don?t want you waiting at the train station when your plane takes off. I promise, I?ll never forget, it?s all about you ? I am such a ?giver?. I know Dr Phil would agree. Ya know, this is the season for giving. I?ve been watching a pattern shift on the extended computer models for next week and I want to clue you in to the potential. Possible epic with a capital ?E?. I am priming the boss, already, for my likely absence. Get used to my sad vacant work cube with tons of papers, making me look extra busy. I may miss the office Christmas party. I told them,? no friends on a powder day?. They don?t understand ? but I know you do!

Here?s the deal. This weekend we?ll see more new snow with a 3500-4500ft snow levels. 3-7? new Saturday and Sunday. More at Baker. I?m going up as it will be tasty. No mall shopping, just skiing ? I have to do something for me. Monday, may be the problem child. We could see a little WWA ( warm air advection) -- oh no! But, not too bad. Snow levels may pop up a tad (4000-5500ft). No worries, the warmth will be brief 12-18hrs, NOT a ?Pineapple Express?. Then sweetness returns! A series of weather systems Tuesday through Friday, maybe beyond. Snow levels 1500- 2500ft. Potential for 6-12? per day. Specific timing and details are difficult at this time. I?ll keep you up to date right here. It will be special next week, make plans now for fantastic snow riding ? but, ya know, I could be wrong.

See ya in the snow !

Larry Schick

Meteorologist

Grand Pooh-bah of Powder
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Larry is the Seattle analogy to Vermont's Scott Bratten IMHO. He forecasts local weather, then puts his own skis where his mouth is, with similar results.
 
Love to see a trip report from Tuesday....

Spectacular Snow This Week - POWDER ALERT sent out 9:47 pm Sunday
Hello Snowriders!

Here We Go?A virtual guarantee, with great snow this week, as I see the weather pattern shift as expected. A consolidated jet stream aimed at us will produce an active weather pattern this week with tons of snow in the Cascades. Expect new snow every day, while some days will be EPIC. I would expect at least 2-4ft of new through Saturday and that might be conservative, let?s not be greedy. Quality will be good to excellent.

Here is how it looks right now. Remember timing may be adjusted. Monday: First storm in progress, 3-7? during the day, Snow Level 3500-4000ft. Tuesday 10-15? new by morning, some clearing, SL: 2500-3000ft ? possible blue bird powder day, if clearing comes to pass. Tuesday will be a major epic! Ya gotta do it. Wednesday: 4-9? new, storm in progress, SL a tad higher 3500-4500ft. Thursday: Major Epic day SL: 3000-3500ft 6-9?. Friday: Excellent Quality SL 2000ft, 3-7? new. Saturday and Sunday: Superb Quality: SL 1000ft New ? 2-5?. Wind could be a problem from time to time this week, otherwise it looks fantastic. Drive safe. Respect the roped off areas on the slopes ? the ski patrol is making it safe for all.

OK you powder pigs, it doesn?t get much better than this week ahead. Don?t blow it. Just do it! Feed your snow addiction. On the next Oprah: ? Powder Skiing: Real Addiction or Just Real Fun!? It?s not an addiction if it doesn?t cause any problems, right? Is quitting my job and skiing powder all winter a problem?

See ya in the snow !

Larry Schick

Meteorologist

Grand Pooh-bah of Powder
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