Blog Crystal

Ski Patrol Crystal Mountain Washington

Count Down

By Michelle Longstreth on Posted in Closures, Conditions, Photo of the Day

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One week of the winter season left. Skiing conditions are surprisingly good especially in the afternoon’s. Short North will be open returning back to the base area via I-5. All chairs except Quicksilver and Gold Hills will be open as will South conditions permitting. If you have enjoyed the season as much as we have take a minute and make our day, thank an employee.

Spring has arrived!

By Michelle Longstreth on Posted in Conditions, Photo of the Day, Uncategorized

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Finally Crystal Mountain is enjoying a real spring. The past two seasons have offered snowy March storms. This year March was more spring-like than ever. April showers, however (in the form of snow) may be in store for the weekend. But for now, we are relaxing Euro-style and soaking up some much needed vitamin D. Come join us before the weather changes on Thursday.

It’s Cold Smoke

By Michelle Longstreth on Posted in Conditions, Weather

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What’s good? Everything of course. We’ve had 14 inches of new snow and 22 inches since Northway was last open.
South will open tomorrow, weather and conditions permitting. Remember, if you and your partner have beacons, probes, and shovels you will be invited to the front of the line when we drop the ropes. Come and get it. We haven’t had conditions like this for a while.

What Does it Take to be Dirtbag Royalty?

By Kim Kircher on Posted in Events and Activities, Uncategorized

 

The Dirtbag Ball is just around the corner, and we will soon be crowing a new King and Queen. Many have asked, just exactly what does it take to be Dirtbag Royalty? Well, here’s our loose criteria.

Skiing – this is one of the most important qualities of dirtbag royalty

  • You should ski a lot of days each season
  • You have to put in a lot of seasons at Crystal – it takes time

Job – below is a list of jobs that are fitting for dirtbag royalty:

  • None
  • A job we can’t talk about
  • Working a night shift at a low paying job (i.e. pizza delivery, night janitor, etc)
  • Doing something that allows for a lot of midweek skiing

Sid Kurtz, 2012 DBB King

Housing – below is a list of housing circumstances that are fitting for dirtbag royalty:

  • None – couch surfing, etc.
  • Car – your mailing address is your license plate
  • Shack – small, dilapidated/old and lacks certain necessities like water or heat
  • Camper – you should actually live in your camper as opposed to just staying there while you ski and then going home to your mansion in Madison Park
  • Tent/Snow Cave
  • Tight quarters – you live in 3-bedroom house, but you have 13 roommates and the door to your “room” is actually a curtain

Waking up

  • Getting in the gondola line before 9:00am consistently is good
  • Staying up late at the Elk and still getting on the gondola line before 9:00am is even better

Appearances (looking like a Dirtbag)

  • Showering – should never conflict with getting first chair
  • Haircuts – should be done by friends with clippers or trauma shears
  • Laundry – doing your laundry in Enumclaw more than once a month is probably too much
  • Not Spending Money (aka being cheap)
    • Gear
  • You should buy cheap skis at thrift stores ii.     Skiing on old gear like rear-entry boots and 207cm straight skis is good iii.     Your retro skiwear party outfit should be your everyday clothing iv.     Mismatched boots or skis are good
  • Food and drink (“are you going to finish that?”)
  • You drink the beer in the bottom of the pitcher that someone left on the table .
  • You eat the leftover food off of people’s plates at the elk

Jesse and Corey, giving it all they got

Being an Ambassador

  • Patrol should be able to come to you with info to pass along to other regulars/locals

Stepping it up

  • You may have been at Crystal for a long time and have a lot of dirtbag qualities, but you should step it up for a season in order to get elected

Melby Remembered

By Michelle Longstreth on Posted in Personal, Photo of the Day

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March 1st, 2011 past fellow patroller, Crystal Mountain employee and friend to many, Paul Melby, went missing at Crystal Mountain. He was remembered and celebrated by locals of the skiing community on Wednesday in Southback. Melby was found June 15th, 2011 in a tree well located on a run now named after him, Melby’s. He will never be forgotten. Two years later we still remember his goofy smile, his love for life, and his appreciation of a good powder day. Here’s to you, Melby.