Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Crystal Mountain that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Crystal Mountain stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Crystal Mountain review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Crystal Mountain
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A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
I have been up a lot of different times, and this mountain has some awesome terrain for experts and intermediaries. It is very big for a local mountain, and there are some amazing runs. This is also next to Mt ranier and on a clear day you have a perfect view of it. While being at the mountain is great, getting there can be a bit of a hassle, as it is about two hours from Seattle, and it has a road up to the mountain, that is a long twisty snowy road. You also have to reserve parking, and need a shuttle to get to and from your car.... Full Review
AR
I love skiing here since the variety of terrain is great, and the views on a sunny day are among the best I've ever seen (and I have skied at least 40 resorts!). The apres scene is great (Snorting Elk FTW), a thriving community exists here, and the upgrades they are working on seem really fun. It's also cool how we sometimes have such a long season in the PNW-- I have skied here in June many times. I do hope the price goes down in coming season though-- I think it's silly that lift ticket prices here, and season pass prices, are more expensive than much bigger resorts like Whistler. Overall a great resort that I'm proud to call my home mountain despite many people being upset. Just enjoy the mountain and be thankful that you GET to ski, and that this is what you get to complain about!!... Full Review
Sarah McGann
Crystal seems to have lost the longevity picture for skiing families, and is more interested in high end and high dollar mountain experiences targeted to the kidless and kid free. So sad.... Full Review
M
Crystal has gotten super crowded and expensive over the last two years. They now charge for parking on top of the increased ticket prices. That said, it has good long beginner runs. The intermediate runs are a bit harder than what you’d normally expect for intermediate terrain.... Full Review
Chris
I would not recommend going to Crystal mountain. For the price you pay, they don't deliver. They were mask Nazis and even got in the faces of my friends 3 yr old and 8 yr old. The skiing wasn't that great either and the terrain Park was poorly done. I also felt very limited because I got yelled at for going off groomed trails, or going in the terrain Park but not going on any of the features. I was definitely underwhelmed by the skiing part and the people there were controlling, domineering, and mask nazis. ... Full Review
Nathan Y
been skiing here for about 40 years and it is usually when I haven't been in a while and have forgotten about most of the negatives. The area is pretty big and there is pretty good terrain variance. About half the mountain is intermediate and usually groomed, the rest is upper advanced with some expert. Much of the expert terrain can be closed depending on conditions so don't bank on it. A big issue with the area is much of it has sunny exposure so conditions can change quickly after a dump. One thing I find funny is their annual snowfall claim. Crystal is on the leeward side of mount rainier, close enough for a snowshadow effect. They get less snow than just about every ski area in WA except the eastern wa places. Many years the lower mountain will be very bare until later in the season. Tickets have always been overpriced, and the parking has always been ridiculously lacking. Things are no different now than they were 25yrs ago, get there early or risk being turned away. In my opinion, WA has enough skiing to do where the snow is flying and don't worry about if it is a 'resort'. I have had some great days here, but probably more great days at seemingly lesser places like stevens, mission and the summit.... Full Review
I have been up and down here for 30+ years. Now just awful. As the mountain has become too crowded after alterra took over, their answer was to put in more parking?? If you like long lift lines, then definitely come here.... Full Review
Oscar
I have been skiing at Crystal for about 4+ years now - I keep returning for good views and the mountain. but, the place is way overpriced for its slow lifts (though gondola seems pretty speedy). Its usually over crowded, that combined with its slow lifts gets the lines way too long. Food choices are horrible. I started to bring my own food, but, brown-bag area (where folks who bring their own food are limited to so that they don't occupy the prime more lit up realestate area where paid customer sit) is dark and usually very foul smelling. Not even a microwave is present so can't warm up the food either.
Mind that this place is strictly business and for (their) profit. Guest services is cold hearted and is really a joke... if you need help with something you are not paying for (food/tickets etc.), be prepared to be disappointed.
During covid, the crowd control is absent (the "reservations" is a joke). Recently on a good snow day, almost all parking was full, lift lines were extra long, and it was super crowded!
No park area (they tried something last year, but, it was horrible). Hopefully, the management will do something one of these days!
I keep coming for the mountain!... Full Review
danielreebs
This is my go to resort. Been skiing there for over 50 years. Love the steep and all-terrain. By the way it is open. You might update your website.... Full Review
bronson_kim
Beginner lift passes and child passes need to be cheaper and afternoon shuttles need to be more frequent pickup and shuttle service... Full Review
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