Crystal Mountain Ski Vacation Guide

Crystal Mountain is the largest ski resort in Washington, as well as one of the finest resorts (which is no small feat given the quality of Washington’s trails and peaks). With 2,600 skiable acres and over 50 runs, Crystal Mountain is a mammoth ski destination for adventurers or family fun vacationers.

Ski Levels

You can enjoy backcountry skiing if you want to snowshoe into the 300 acres that are not accessible by lift. With more intermediate trails than beginner or advanced, there’s still enough room for new skiers and experts alike. An average annual snowfall of over 480 inches guarantees excellent conditions and fresh snow. Eleven lifts take nearly 18,500 passengers per hour and make it super easy for you to skip the lines and hit the slopes instead. Crystal Mountain is mostly aimed at the intermediate skier. However, the great beginner terrain of eleven percent is eleven percent of 2,600 acres, giving the beginners plenty of room to practice. Expert skiers disappear on 35 percent of the terrain. Ski lessons are available for all skill levels and you can always find a great opportunity to keep developing your skills on the range of slopes provided. Snowmobile tours, snowshoeing, dog sledding, and other fun outdoor activities await visitors to this big Washington resort.

Après Ski

This is also a great destination for dining, shopping, and enjoying winter activities. There are a variety of shops and restaurants in the area that cater to the ski and riding crowd. Mountain dining and typical pub fare are the norm, with many places offering things like steak, seafood, burgers and fries, and deli type soups and sandwiches. Bar and grills abounds as do taverns and pubs offering local brews and a number of beers on tap. And, on the weekends, you’ll find live music and movie showings.

The sporting goods shops, artisan shops, craft stores, clothing stores, and ski supplies, as well as grocery and Washington souvenir shops are all located in the village area right there on the mountain.  After you are done shopping, stop in at the Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa to enjoy the true relaxation and spa experience, while kids can enjoy plenty of kid’s programs and lessons at the ski school.

The best part about visiting a mountain town that has been around for 50 years is the quality and ease of your vacation. The resort has it all and throughout the year they hose events to keep you entertained. Some weeks you’ll get to watch pro and amateur racing and Freeride competitions and even Bikini Downhills. They even host a wide variety of live music to demos and parties.

Crystal Mountain Snowboard Vacation Guide


Riders Guide

As the biggest ski resort in Washington, it has plenty to offer intermediate skiers. A vertical rise of about 3,100 feet is much more than most other ski resorts offer. It’s a family-friendly resort that’s ideal for skiers with at least some experience. Beginner slopes and terrain are available for first-timers and new skiers, but about 54 percent is ranked for intermediate and another 35 percent ranked for advanced to expert riders. A few steep slopes can challenge even the experienced.

Parks and Pipes

The Sasquatch Jib Park is the snowboarding mecca and isolated on the 4,400 foot-long Mr. Magoo run. Jumps of 15 feet, 25 feet, and 30 feet offer challenges, along with a rainbow box, C-box, combo features, and a 22-foot down rail, just for starters. Giggles Park offers a quarter pipe, rails, boxes, barrel jibs, jumps and spines. And don’t miss that 8-foot roller jump. The terrain parks have ever changing features, with some rails and boxes lower and smaller for beginners to learn.

Out of Bounds

The ski school is perfect for new skiers and kids. Because most of the trails are intermediate, a class or series of classes can help beginners learn to handle the easy trails, so they can move up to the many various intermediate trails. Don’t miss the spa, and programs like snowshoe tours and snowmobiling. Cross-country skiing is available, too. Horse-drawn carriages, dog sledding, ice skating, ice hockey, Wii game nights, moonlight hikes through the snow, scavenger hunts, snowman searches, and so much more.

Hangout & Hookup

Stay on the mountain for eating, après-ski, and just relaxing with family and friends, or head into the town for more options than you can imagine. Because it’s the state’s biggest resort, the biggest variety of restaurants, bars and entertainment are available around Crystal Mountain.

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