New Season Passes and Improvements Our family loves to ski and snowboard — we never miss a season. Crystal Mountain has some of the best terrain for winter sports throughout the Pacific Northwest and attracts advanced skiers, boarders, and other winter enthusiasts from around the country each year. Last year, the Kircher family sold Crystal Mountain to Alterra Mountain Company so we wanted to understand and share what this means to visitors who return each year. Since Alterra-owned properties are anchored in North America but also span the globe, the season passes extend beyond any single resort, including Crystal Mountain. Property Upgrades and Improvements Crystal has added new attractions to keep you and your family entertained and safe on the mountain. They’ve spent $4.6 million, improving visitor purchasing and wait times, and increased accessibility to lifts. We’ve previously written about the gondola rides — the new owners have added 12 new gondola cabins. They have also installed a new 200-foot Sunkid conveyor by the Discovery lift to provide visitors a better transition before getting on a chairlift. The terrain park Silver Park is moving to Quicksilver for direct chairlift access. They’ve added more snowcats and two new pick-points so groomers […]
When we built Crystal Rainier Retreat we put love and intention behind our efforts. We wanted to offer something for homebodies as well as those who crave outdoor adventures. We imagined families who wanted a place to take their kids. Couples who needed a space to be together. Friends who wanted something a little more than a girls’ night out. We are all those things, too. We are husband and wife, we have kids, and we need time with our friends. Sometimes, we like to hang out at the cabin and other times, we’ve just got to get outside. Our cabin is located at the backdoor to Mount Rainier, within easy distance to Crystal, which means we can choose to do any or all of those things. We made sure there would be plenty of space to both be together as a family and plenty of spaces in the cabin to enjoy some quality alone time. The Beauty of Being Together Sometimes, being with each other in the solitude of the forest is all it takes. We’re one gorgeous drive away from the city — about 90 minutes outside of Seattle. Our retreat is ideally situated for you and your […]
Crystal Rainier Retreat’s Top 5 Picks for Fall Day Hikes Near Greenwater, WA Fall Hiking Season: Foliage, Mountains, Rivers, and Forests You’ve worked hard this year, but it isn’t over. Take a breath, take a moment, and recharge yourself. Step away from your workload and seize the opportunity to take in some of the season’s most amazing hikes. With the last of the fall hiking season, this month is a good time to plan your forest getaway. Summer hiking in the area is quite popular, but fall in Greenwater is flat-out gorgeous. With cooler temps and fewer people crowding the trails, October is the perfect time to take in the sights and inhale that pristine mountain air. On the way to these hiking destinations, the drive through Greenwater is spectacular. Dazzling fall colors in orange, bright gold, and red pop against the forest backdrop. The fall foliage season can go fast depending on weather, so grab your gear and let’s go! For smart trip planning, please check current conditions or call the Snoqualmie Ranger District Enumclaw office at (360) 825-6585 and ask about any planned road or trail closures. We are a family of hikers, often taking the kids with […]