Summit Fest 2025: An Unforgettable Night at the Top
Written by: Ben Bertsch
Photos by: Leah Blanchard, Alex Wilson, and Ben Bertsch
Summit Fest is a true symbol of Crystal Mountain: local, iconic, laid back, and wrapped in surreal beauty. Few mountains can pull off this much grandeur without the pomp. But if you’re not familiar with the event, it’s fair to ask what Summit Fest really offers.
Riding to the top of a mountain is something you can do in a lot of places. But riding the Mt. Rainier scenic gondola as the sun sets on the Cascade Mountains is truly on another level. Read on to learn how our annual Summit Fest event sets the stage.
Crowds Gathered As the Evening Began
Guests came ready with chairs strapped to their backs, blankets tucked under their arms, and binoculars hanging from neck straps. The sky slid into deep, corpuscular hues, and the anticipation was clear on every face.
The events crew moved fast, the Crystal Mountain scenic gondola was spinning, and lifties worked the rhythm, greeting guests and spacing each group. When I boarded, the early rush had eased and many of the arrivals had already found their seats along the ridge.
The Gondola Ride: 2,400 Feet to the Top
(The Scenic Gondola ascends with the sunset in the background. Photo Credit: Leah Blanchard)
On the gondola, the valley fell away, ski runs rolled out in green, and up ahead, the ridgeline glowed, concealing the gathered crowd at the summit. In twelve minutes, it climbed 2,400 feet to 6,856, and carried us into another world.
The skyline split wide open, the crowds were spread along the ridge, and as the cabin door opened, a wave of sound rushed in, and we unloaded.
Live Music, Tasting Lounge, and Activities At the Summit
At the summit, Summit House buzzed with activity, and the Tasting Lounge poured curated local beer, Washington wine, and regional spirits. Along the ridge, rows of chairs faced Mt. Rainier, already glowing in the fading light.
PRETTYFUNKDUB’s blend of funk, reggae, soul, and hip-hop spilled across the Summit patio. The Cross Rhythm Trio delivered deep funk grooves on the Rainier platform.
Some guests danced near the stage, others roasted marshmallows at the fire pits, and those looking for a quieter escape settled into the sound bath, where the low, resonant tones of sound bowls carried across the ridge.
Sunset, Moonrise, and a Few Meteors from the Ridgeline
As the light faded, the switchbacks disappeared and the evergreen clusters were absorbed by the valleys below. On one horizon, Mt. Rainier caught the last light in deep violets and indigos. On the opposite side, a copper moon rose like a sunset in reverse.
The Seattle city lights flickered in the distance, the full moon gobbled up the dark, and the Perseid sky sent a few bright streaks overhead, each one met with a murmur of approval from the onlookers.
Looking Forward to Summit Fest 2026
The music ran until about 10:30, the air cooled, and the wind quickened. It was time for the crowd to float down to the base. The ride was quiet, and the summit’s lights withdrew as our cabin silently passed over the forest canopy and lower ski runs.
When the plaza and Ski Chalets came into view, a passenger pointed out the lit Christmas tree near the chalets, glowing in the middle of August. Its out-of-season cheer was strangely fitting.
From there, the walk to the parking lot was gradual, the remaining sounds, gravel underfoot, wind through the pines, and the last of the night’s celebration.
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Summit Fest will return next year, so keep your eyes peeled for this incredible experience.
