Crystal Mountain Ski Vacations in Washington State

Unless you are allergic to snow or afraid of skiing, you cannot not leave Washington state until you have seen Crystal Mountain!

The peak of Crystal Mountain is 7004 above sea level; its vertical drop is 3102 feet. ("Vertical drop," in case you've never heard the term, refers to the vertical distance from the base of the mountain to its peak - not the same as its distance from sea level to peak.) Mount Rainier towers above it: elevation 14,408 feet. The storms of the Cascade region drop several feet of good fresh powder snow on the mountain from November to April.

Crystal Mountain, with its fifty trails, is Washington state's largest ski area: 2300 acres. There are not many trails suitable to beginners in this rough terrain; however, lessons are available, along with ski and equipment rentals. Crystal Mountain's ten ski lifts available; include two high-speed lifts, and a surface lift for children - all have multiple seats. Total lift capacity is over 20,000 passengers per hour.

Ski season is snow season: mid-November to mid-April. Skiing is the big draw, but there are enough options for lodging that you can choose a hotel tailored for a romantic weekend, a family vacation, or just reveling in the mountain landscape. Check out www.staycrystal.com, www.skicrystal.com, and www.crystalhotels.com.

After a vigorous day of skiing, relax in the sauna or hot tub at East Peak Massage & Fitness. They even have a game room - and masseurs, but you'll need to call ahead for a massage.

All this is accessible from the Crystal Mountain Express Bus service, (weekends, mid-December to mid-March). The bus will take you from your lodge to the base plaza; the slopes are within easy reach from there.

You can register children ages 4-11 in the Kid's Club (http://www.skicrystal.com/), which is open from 8 am to 4 pm daily. They get to ski on a slope suitable to their age. Children aged 7 and up can also go snowboarding. The cost for a day at the Kid's Club includes a 4-hour lesson (and supervision!), lunch and a lift ticket. Rental equipment for them is also available.

Crystal Mountain is a fantastic vacation spot for the family that loves skiing. Although beginners can be sure of a good time, the slopes are really more suited for expert or intermediate skiers. Have fun - go for the adventure - but play safe.

Crystal Mountain is also open during the summer, but that's not skiing, is it?