If you are looking for the best ski area in Washington state Crystal Mountain ski resort is where it’s at. Just a 2 hour drive from Seattle, Crystal Mountain has some of the best powder in the Pacific Northwest with arguably better terrain than the other area mountains, including Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie.
As the largest ski resort in Washington there is more terrain available for all skill levels and the best place to be in the winter months.
If this is your first time planning a visit to the mountain, this post will help you make the most of your trip.
Crystal Mountain Info
Terrain
Crystal Mountain is Washington’s largest ski resort with 2,600 skiable acres of terrain and 2,400 vertical feet giving you many miles of trail to explore.
There are 11 lifts and over 80 named ski trails for both advanced skiers and riders and beginners alike and has options for your entire family.
Trail maps are available on the Crystal Mountain Resort website.
Parking
If you do not have an Ikon Pass, parking will set you back $20 a day. There are several parking lots and the further out you are you can just hop a shuttle to the mountain.
Lift tickets
Lift tickets are a bit steep, like most mountains these days it seems. With prices ranging from $150-190 per day, or you can get a 3-day wild card pass for $299.
But I would recommend the Ikon Pass. With even the base pass ($799 per year) you get access to more than just Crystal but a ton of mountains around the world (plus 5 days at Crystal Mountain). You also get discounts like 10% off (this is for the base pass, not the full) at some mountain restaurants and gift shops and free parking at Crystal Mountain.
Gondola Rides
The Mt. Rainier Gondola is a must do, even if you are not there to ski or ride. On a clear day, from the top of the lift you get amazing views of Mount Rainier, some of the best in the area.
Night Skiing
If you enjoy some night skiing and just want to get some runs in, Crystal is open to night skiing on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays until 8pm. The area includes the terrain from the Discovery, Gold Hills, & Quicksilver chair lifts, including access to Crystal Parks.
Snowshoe trails
Crystal boasts 6 snowshoe trails in the Bullion Basin that ranges from easy to advanced depending on the terrain. It is a great place to spend the day, if you are taking a day off from riding the slopes and another way to experience the area.
Don’t own snowshoes? That’s ok, they have you covered with rentals available in the Crystal Mountain rental shop.
Backcountry skiing and riding
Various groups can take you out for some backcountry skiing and riding in the area. Tours are available for beginners and advanced riders and skiers. Groups like the Mountaineers club offer a beginners course to help people get familiar with using skins on their skis and traversing new terrain.
Terrain parks
Crystal Mountain offers multiple terrain parks with jumps and rails from beginner to advanced riders and skiers. They can be found close to the base area of the mountain. For more information check out Crystal Mountain’s website.
How to get to Crystal Mountain
Address: 33914 Crystal Mountain Blvd., Enumclaw WA 98022
Crystal Mountain is a 2-hour drive from Seattle. So, a day trip is totally doable but in my opinion it’s always better to go for a couple days.
Where to stay
Want hotel rooms right at the mountain? There are a couple of options. If you are looking for 5-star amenities though, you’re looking at the wrong mountain.
The hotels here are basic. You have to pay extra for a room with a coffee maker, balcony and small TV. But you’re there for the mountain, right? So, who cares? It’s warm and some places even let you bring your dog.
The Village Inn
This is where I stayed. Having a balcony and a coffee maker was pretty important, so The Village Inn made the most sense. There is also a parking area for the hotel specifically, so you don’t need to park in the main mountain parking lots.
Keep in mind there is no elevator, so if you need an accessible room, make sure you let the staff know so they can put you on the bottom floor.
The Alpine Inn
The Alpine Inn is truly in a Bavarian style. It’s also where breakfast happens every morning. So, if you are staying in the Village Inn or the Quicksilver Lodge, you will need to make the trek across the main mountain parking lot (it’s not that far) to get to breakfast.
It is also the location of the Snorting Elk bar and deli, which is where you will most likely have dinner every night unless you want to spend a lot more to eat at the Alpine Inn.
The location is cool, you have to cross a bridge over a little river and the Inn is nestled into the woods. Parking for this hotel is in the main mountain parking lot.
The Quicksilver Lodge
The Quicksilver Lodge is similar to the Village Inn, just a little closer to the base of the mountain, so less walking.
Dining options
Snorting Elk Cellar
This is the perfect spot for dinner. The food is good and the atmosphere is loud. If you go there right when the lifts close you may have trouble finding a seat.
The bar is for ages 21 and over only and is a cozy, no frills bar with great service. Try the goulash and their pizzas.
It’s also the cheaper option compared to the Alpine Inn, which is right upstairs, and open much later.
The bar is for ages 21 and over only and is a cozy, no frills bar with great service. Try the goulash and their pizzas.
Alpine Inn
The Alpine Inn serves breakfast everyday and also does a fancier dinner service. Keep in mind they close much earlier than the Snorting Elk, so you may be rushed after a day on the mountain.
Summit House Restaurant
Every mountain has a place to eat at the top. Crystal is no exception. You don’t need to be skiing or riding if you just want to go up for lunch all you need is to hop on the gondola.
Keep in mind this is only lunch service, they do not stay open for dinner.
Rafters
Rafters is a great lunch spot for a midday shred break. The staff are extremely nice and will remember you if you make that your daily lunch spot.
The food is your traditional mountain food with chili, sandwiches and other bar fair. Beer is $10 (so keep that in mind) but if you have an Ikon base pass you get 10% off and the full pass its 15%.
Food trucks
There are several food truck spots at the base of the mountain. I recommend the Alaska Fish truck and their fish tacos. They also have an Ikon discount and serve beer.
Note, if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, the food options are somewhat limited, but they do have a couple of options. At Rafters, I had the pulled jackfruit sandwich and at the Snorting Elk, they have a veggie burger and a veggie pizza.
What’s nearby
National Forests, Mount Rainier National Park, State Park
This area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with Mt. Rainier National Park and several national forests, including the oldest national forest in the country, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and state parks as well.
So, if you want to hike, snowmobile, or climb Mount Rainier, you can do it all in one place.
Enumclaw
This cute little town has a very walkable downtown with restaurants, shops and bars. It’s a good spot to stay that’s close to Crystal Mountain and the other parks in the area.
Why you should go
Not only does Crystal Mountain have great terrain and spectacular views of Mount Rainier, it is one of those mountains where you don’t feel like you’re at a ski resort. It’s more spread out with terrain in different areas, giving it a wilder feel.
I love mountains like that. There are those, like Snowbasin (which I do love and is one of my favorite mountains) where you can pretty much see all the terrain from one area and it feels very much like being at a ski resort.
Crystal is more like Powder Mountain in Utah and (yup, I’m going to say it) Vail, because though it’s a smaller mountain than those two, the spread-out terrain just changes everything.
Concluding Thoughts
Crystal Mountain is the perfect pacific northwest mountain to go for a day or a long weekend. It has a great amount of terrain for different abilities and lessons if you are just getting started.
Looking for more west coast USA mountains to explore? Check out the top mountains in Utah or Mount Bachelor, a snowboarder heaven in Oregon.
