Crystal Mountain ski resort

Paradise to Crystal Mountain Ski Resort

Snowboarding down the Whitman Glacier while doing a mid winter ski traverse from Paradise on Mount Rainier to Crystal Mountain

Paradise to Crystal Mountain ski resort was a trip I had dreamed of for years. After riding the slopes of the east side of Mount Rainier National Park for numerous seasons I thought it would be great to link them together. It was one of those trips that you put in the back of you mind. Waiting for the perfect weather window it finally came in early February with 3 days of clear weather. Finally it was time for Jason Hummel and I to do a trip of a life time.

Read more

Crystal Mountain Southback Complete Traverse

With the end of the lift accessed resort season coming up fast I decided to make the most out of the powder and daylight. It had been a few days since it had last snowed but conditions were still good if you worked for it. Seeing that there were skin tracks everywhere I decided to link them up. I would do a full traverse from 3 Way Peak all the way to East Peak and ride the main lines along the way. It was ambitious but time and energy was on my side as I set a goal to ride all the lines in the Crystal Mountain Southback.

Read more

Silver King Attempt at Breaking the Record

It had been a while since Crystal had opened its “Southback” (or lift accessed southern backcountry), the crowned jewel of which is the Silver King Peak, a 7000′ peak with north-facing laps to be had back to the base of the chairlift. The hike out to the top of the peak can take anywhere from twenty minutes to over an hour, depending upon the individual and snow conditions, and consists largely of traverses and some bootpacking.

Read more

East Peak Multilap riding the Best Lines

East Peak at Crystal Mountain Washington

The west faces slopes of East Peak are some of the best easy access touring options around Crystal Mountain. Being directly South of the ski resort they ride over 2,500 feet from the base parking lot. Within a few hours and a few well laid switchbacks you can be riding through wide open trees and numerous different aspects. Being that I had a short afternoon to go riding I made my way up for an East Peak Multilap.

Read more

Southback Tour Beyond the Gates of Crystal

About reading to drop into Crystal Lakes Basin from the top of the King in the Crystal Mountain Backcounty
Hitting up a high bank off the Dog Leg chute on our way back to Crystal Mountain ski resort
Skiing the Southback backcountry near Crystal Mountain

The Crystal Mountain Southback is usually referred to as the end of the resort boundaries. Most people consider this to be the anywhere from the Silver King to 3 Way Peak. I know for many years I had the same though as I made it out up Chair 6 to do the dreaded traverse. But as the years went on I started to look beyond the rope at the surrounding peaks. This trip was one of those early day trips Heading up to the King and dropping into what at the time was the unknown.

Read more

East Peak Storm Riding near Crystal Mountain

When the storm if dropping crazy amounts of snow there is no place like East Peak. With direct access and over 2,500 feet from top to bottom it can be great fall line. The hardest part of the day is breaking a safe and efficient trail but well worth the effort. The upper 1,000 feet is amazingly open trees but with a bit of navigation you can get a much longer run. After the Cascades had gotten nailed with over a foot of fresh snow it was time to break trail. Scott, Dan and I made sure to be early to get some riding on East Peak storm riding.

Read more

Crown Point South and Amazing Tree Skiing

Dan skiing off the summit of Crown Point
Climbing up to Crown Point in the Crystal Mountain Backcountry

The south face of Crown Point has some of the best tree skiing in the area with open slopes followed by the occasional tree. With its aspect you have to be fast if the sun is out because the snow can get cooked. It’s located on the Eastern side of the crest so if you are looking for good weather it is a great place to go. Being early in December with a solid snowpack and a little bit of new snow we decided to head out there for some bluebird pow turns.




Read more

Gunbarrel Ridge in Silver Basin Storm Day

John gaining the ridge up to Gunbarrel in the Silver Basin in the Crystal Mountain Backcountry
John gaining the ridge up to Gunbarrel in the Silver Basin in the Crystal Mountain Backcountry
Snowboarding down Gunbarrel Ridge Crystal Mountain Backcountry

Gunbarrel Ridge in the Silver Basin of Crystal Mountain is one of those places that’s easy access and steep and relatively anchored. Being that you can find safe and open treed slopes it is great during storms. With a northerly aspect it holds great snow while other places get cooked by the sun. This was not one of those days as the storms were raging in the Pacific Northwest. Travel would be limited by the distance we were willing to break trail. With well over a foot of snow overnight John and I went through our options. Wanting to get a great line that wasn’t far away and semi stable we set our sights the north facing slopes of Silver Basin.




Read more