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Corey

Posts by Corey

For Jump-buildin’ Kids

By Corey on Posted in Jumps & Jump Building, Terrain Park & 1/2-Pipe

In the last couple weeks we’ve had to knock down a few jumps being built by youngsters.  They always have such a hard time understanding what the big deal is–why we can’t allow kickers to be hidden willy-nilly in various places around the resort.  (From a safety standpoint, our concern is that people might smack into–or launch… Continue Reading

Photo of the Day

By Corey on Posted in Photo of the Day

Usually we address topics of interest to more advanced skiers & boarders.  But today’s picture comes from the Playpen, the beginner area for little kids, and the Magic Carpet conveyor belt. How can all these cheery flowers not make you at least a little bit happier?  And what better advice could there be for US ALL… Continue Reading

Can You Hear Us Now?

By Corey on Posted in News

We got asked to help support a local campaign to improve cell phone coverage near Crystal Mountain. I hope I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes by being blissfully unaware of political ramifications of this.  All I know is that it’s been real helpful for us ski patrollers to find hurt people quickly and lost people… Continue Reading

Volunteer Patrol Now Accepting Applications

By Corey on Posted in Employment, News

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER SKI PATROL NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! Skills Evaluations will be held the weekend of February 11 & 12. The evaluation is a one-day event; you may participate either Saturday or Sunday. Minimum requirements: • You must be at least 21 years of age. • Expert level Alpine Skier or Snowboarder able to ski/ride safely… Continue Reading

Southback Closed For Now

By Corey on Posted in Uncategorized

Redeemable skiing is tricky to find out South right now. And because there’s so little snow, skiers and boarders are damaging vegetation as they navigate the traverse out, which lies in a part of Mt. Rainier National Park designated as “Pristine Wilderness”. So this is a rare “resource management” closure. Tourer are still welcome to… Continue Reading

Early Season CLOSED Areas

By Corey on Posted in Closures

The sun is out and the skiing’s GREAT!  I hope you aren’t missing it! Brent, our Assistant Director, got an e-mail from Andre asking for clarification about how we indicate CLOSED areas in light of the new law authorizing $1,000 penalty for violating ski area closures.  In the ski & snowboard biz, CLOSED is designated by: Rope… Continue Reading

Re: Taking Responsibility…

By Corey on Posted in Avalanche Hazard, Closures

I started to write this as a comment in response to the other comments responding to Kim’s recent post about the guy who wouldn’t cough of the dough to reimburse Crystal for his after-hours, out-of-area rescue.  But then I thought it would be better to post as it’s own entry, hoping more folks might see… Continue Reading

Mt. Hood Meadows Avalanche

By Corey on Posted in Avalanche Hazard, Conditions

We’ve been hearing reports from people coming in from the backcountry (the true, non-avalanche-controlled backcountry) that conditions feel "solid" out there.  This causes us some concern as we record some significant results while doing avalanche control within the ski area. If you need some motivation to pay attention to persistent weak layers deeper down, take… Continue Reading

Bluebird Pow in the Backcountry

By Corey on Posted in Conditions

Here’s a quick head’s up for anybody planning on heading into the backcounty to get the untracked stuff this weekend.   Today, many people were observed engaging in unusually risky behavior just outside Crystal’s boundaries.   (We think maybe they didn’t know how risky it really was.)  Things look great and the temp’s have stayed cold, but… Continue Reading

Chairlift Loading Safety

By Corey on Posted in Safety Patrol/Speed Control

…With all the dumpage we’ve had lately, the snow in the corral just above the loading area was high. I was digging like crazy to clear it out, but was surprised how many people didn’t know “good high snow etiquette” and almost got yanked out of the chair…

Babies in Backpacks

By Corey on Posted in Safety Patrol/Speed Control

We got asked to put something on this here ski patrol blog to spread the word about babies in backpacks on chairlifts.
I figgered “Well that’s easy.” “Ya’ can’t take babies in backpacks on chairlifts.”
Pretty concise article, huh? ……

HELP WANTED!

By Corey on Posted in News

THE VOLUNTEER PATROL IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

A Little History

By Corey on Posted in News

This doesn’t have much to do with Ski Patrolling or skiing/riding at Crystal, but I thought there might be other history/random-fact nerds like me who might find THIS interesting. It’s a hodge-podge of videos from some Michigan sports network, featuring interviews with John Kircher’s dad Everett, where he talks about the early days of developing the American skiing business.

Skiers vs Snowboarders: An Invitation

By Corey on Posted in Skier/Snowboarder Stories

I’ve gotten a few questions and comments from people about the best ways to maneuver long traverse/ascent trails like we have going to Southback, up into Bullion Basin–even coming back into the area on the I-5 trail returning from Northway. Got any great ideas? Been to other places where they have unwritten norms for this kind of situation?

“IRRESPONSIBLE DECISIONS” & HOW TO AVOID THEM

By Corey on Posted in Avalanche Hazard, Conditions

A customer mentioned that he thought it was irresponsible for Crystal Mountain to open as early as it did this season. Some people just don’t get it, do they? If you’re bringing friends or family who aren’t familiar with early-season conditions, always make it part of your responsibility to warn them about the increased possible hazards. With new snow on the way, remember there still hasn’t been much compaction in avalanche starting zones.

FORECASTING SKI CONDITIONS PART II

By Corey on Posted in Conditions

I’m often asked: “Howcum some people know where to find the best snow, where to go first to get the blower pow, and which skis to pull out on a given day?” Read on to learn how to turn telemetry weather data into your own personal ski conditions forecast!

Early Morning as a Ski Patroller

By Corey on Posted in Avalanche Hazard

This was actually from CHRISTINA, and I forgot to post it back when it was snowing!   4:15 AM: Ring, ring. My phone wakes me up. “Hullo” I groan, full of sleep. “Christina, we are out the door at 6,”  Says my fellow patroller doing the morning call-outs. “OK,” I mumble and roll back over; it’s… Continue Reading

Purty Pitchers

By Corey on Posted in Avalanche Hazard

William Richmond has a blog with some cool pics of Crystal and he reviews some of the skis he’s used.  Check it out at  http://williamrichmondski.blogspot.com/ I swiped one which is my fave, because I got caught in an avalanche just to the left after entering here once.  (Actually it was ON an avalanche….I surfed down to the bottom… Continue Reading

FAIR WARNING

By Corey on Posted in Avalanche Hazard, Closures

I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to read Kim’s previous entries CLOSURE POACHING on March 30th and RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ABOUT CLOSURES on April 1st, but if you haven’t, this will make more sense if you take a moment to do so now.  (dum-dee-dum-dee-dum)   After repeated unfortunate encounters with guests not exercising common sense, we’ve… Continue Reading

PUPPY! PUPPY! PUPPY!

By Corey on Posted in Avalanche Hazard

On big-snow days we post dogs on top of the King, on top of High Cambell lift, and top of Northway–this should be a clue to you to ski with your partner and ski smart (not directly above your buddy so you don’t create an avalanche). And, when you see a cute puppy running down the hill you can politely ask the patroller if you can pet the dog, but please do not cause unneeded distractions because they are always in training and a valuable resource.

INTRODUCING RANGER MONICA

By Corey on Posted in Skier/Snowboarder Stories

… allow me the pleasure of formally introducing Park Ranger Monica Morin to the community of Crystal skiers & boarders. Monica is what’s called a seasonal winter Wilderness Ranger, stationed out of the east side of Mount Rainier National Park…