Blog Crystal Ski Patrol Crystal Mountain Washington

Tag Archives: Articles

A Season of Firsts

By Kim Kircher on Posted in News

Crystal Mountain saw many firsts this year: first year with the gondola, first year to reach our max snowpack in April (usually we peak in March and begin the inexorable melt back towards dirt), first season of year-round operations.

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? ……

First Tracks

By Christina on Posted in Safety Patrol/Speed Control

The First Tracks breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the Summit House is breathtaking. My favorite part- other than the Gouda quiche and peppered bacon, is how quiet everything is on the mountain in the morning. Even if you are not a skier it is one of the best breakfasts around and you can… Continue Reading

HELP WANTED!

By Corey on Posted in News

THE VOLUNTEER PATROL IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Jack’s Place

By Christina on Posted in Safety Patrol/Speed Control

One day the current Summit house may be a beautiful hotel overlooking Mount Rainier where you can wake up to the sunrising over the Cascades.  But until then, just one patroller a night gets the amazing view from Mountain Top with their morning coffee.  Every night of the season (yes I was up there on… Continue Reading

Never, Ever, Ever Eat Yellow Snow: Reprint Back By Popular Demand

By Kim Kircher on Posted in Skier/Snowboarder Stories

Yesterday I hiked the King and at risk of sounding incredibly pet peevish, I’ll just go ahead and say it. There were no less than ten patches of yellow snow. I mean come on people. Perhaps it is some kind of Kilgore Was Here mentality that comes over these guys when standing atop a spendid peak with a pristine view of Mt. Rainier (and yes I suspect that most of the culprits are, in fact, men).

Hullo. I’m a Crystal Mountain Traverser

By Christina on Posted in Avalanche Hazard

My name is Christina and sometimes I like to traverse.  I start cursing when I’m skiing a waist deep line off the Throne in flat light and double eject onto a traverse track put in by people just skiing the lower field.  But on the other hand, I thank our traversers, when I’m jonesing to… Continue Reading

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.