Written by: Rhyan McLaury
Edited by: Ben Bertsch
This winter at Crystal Mountain, you can ski a newly lit run off Gold Hills, turn three beginner lessons into a season pass, and bring the kids for free on select days. Here’s what’s changing at Washington’s largest ski resort, from the base area to Summit House.
Ski & Ride School
The new Beginner Progression Pass gives first-time skiers and snowboarders three days of lessons, rentals, and lift access for $699. Complete all three lessons, and you’ll receive a Crystal Anytime Season Pass for the rest of the winter, with time to practice what you learned and explore more of the mountain.
The Kids Learning Center is also introducing a transferable Kids 6-Lesson Bundle. Families can save on lessons, choose dates that fit their schedule, and share the bundle among siblings or friends.
Night Skiing
Night skiing returns December 26, with lifts running from 4 to 7 p.m. daily through January 1. From January 2 through March 14, night skiing is scheduled until 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays and until 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Night skiing is included with a day or Afternoon lift ticket or a valid Crystal or Ikon season pass.
Gold Hills gets new LED lighting, and Fireside will have s’mores kits for the fire pit, a new drink menu, and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. The Coke Ride & Dine offer pairs an Afternoon lift ticket with a $20 meal voucher for $80.
Kids 12 and under ski and ride free on Thursdays and Fridays when night skiing is offered. Their free Afternoon ticket is valid from 1 p.m. through the end of night skiing.
Lauba’s Lane
Look for Lauba’s Lane off Gold Hills. Formerly known as Jump Hill, the run has been regraded, selectively cleared, and lit for night skiing. It’s named for Alan Lauba, a former U.S. Ski Team member and director emeritus of the Crystal Mountain Alpine Club. Lauba retired last spring after 38 years with the club, where he helped shape Crystal’s ski racing program and generations of racers.
Winter Promotions and Events
Crystal Military Pass
Veterans are now eligible for the Crystal Military Pass, joining active-duty and retired military members and eligible spouses and dependents. The discounted pass includes season-long access with no blackout dates.
$62 Tuesdays
$62 Tuesdays are back. Get a $62 lift ticket on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Kids Ski Free Week
From December 12–18, kids 12 and under get free all-day lift access, plus 50% off kids’ lessons and rentals during Kids Ski Free Week.
Ride to Win
Ride to Win returns with bigger prizes and more ways to win. Track your days at Crystal in the Ikon Pass app to improve your chances. We’ll share the contest details soon.
Spring Banked Slaloms
The Berm Brawl Banked Slalom returns for snowboarders, and this spring we’ll host Slushhammer, a skier-only banked slalom in Green Valley. Keep an eye on the Crystal events calendar for race dates.
Food and Beverage
Seattle’s Macrina Bakery will continue supplying pastries and will now provide Crystal’s pizza dough, buns, and breads. Brew 62 has added indoor seating and new drinks, including beer, Bloody Marys, mimosas, and espresso martinis.
At Summit House, look for seasonal cocktails, winter classics, and wine specials throughout the season.
Where to Eat a Packed Lunch
Bring your own food to Rafters Warming Loft Monday through Wednesday or to Bootpack Bar any day before food service starts at 10:45 a.m. Midway Yurt, Tower 16, and Quickstop Yurt welcome packed lunches all day, as do all outdoor patios, including both levels at Mountain Commons Lodge and the Fireside patio.
The Crystal Mountain Alpine Club has rented a new yurt beneath the gondola line for its athletes and families, freeing up seating elsewhere on busy days.
Workforce Housing
In Enumclaw, Crystal completed renovations at its newly acquired Northway Notch property, improving the building and employee living spaces. The resort is also leasing Rainier Chalet apartments, adding 96 beds for employees. Crystal provides transportation to the mountain from both locations.
On the Mountain
Snowmaking. Crystal is improving how it plans and uses water for snowmaking and has invested in drone lidar to map terrain. The resort is also adding Snomax to improve snow production, reduce energy use, and make snow across a wider range of temperatures. Together, these changes will help build more consistent early-season coverage and maintain it through the winter.
Trail work. Crews replaced culverts and improved grading on Lower Arwine’s. They also thinned trees, trimmed limbs, and cut brush on Lower Exterminator, Middle Arwine’s, and around Lewis Lane to improve the terrain and support ongoing fuel reduction work.
Lifts and facilities. Crews spliced the haul rope on Rainier Express, replaced the haul rope on Gold Hills, and rebuilt gearboxes on Forest Queen Express and Quicksilver. Summit House received a new HVAC system and insulation, and Crystal upgraded sewer infrastructure at the base.
Rentals and Retail
The rental fleet gets a major refresh of beginner gear, 25% more performance snowboards, and more than 70 new models in the demo fleet.
At Crystal Mountain Outfitters, look for new technical outerwear and gloves, an exclusive 686 x Crystal Mountain riding hoodie, more Crystal logo gear, and new Crystal Mountain gift boxes.
It’s nearly December. Are you ready?
