The Crystal Mountain snow report for Dec 20 is a 16" base depth with 4 of 11 lifts open. Please note ski conditions and snowfall at Crystal Mountain are sourced directly from the ski resort and are only recorded during the official ski season's opening to closing dates.
Snow Reporter Comments: 12/20 Operations Update: Today, 12/20 is opening day and we could not be more excited to get the season rolling! In collaboration with WSDOT, we will be tentatively open daily with special limited access. See below for critical details on our limited access plan. Mountain Conditions Report12/207:30 am: Welcome home skiers and riders!Our team has been hard at work preparing the mountain for your return, and we’re SO excited to share Opening Day with you. Mother Nature delivered and there is great skiing to be had all around the mountain today. Our upper slopes have several inches of fresh powder on top of a solid base while the lower mountain picked up a couple additional inches overnight. Most lower mountain runs are groomed. Upper mountain grooming is limited. We are planning to run Green Valley Express via upload on the Mount Rainier Gondola with download required, as well as Chinook Express and Discovery, conditions dependent. The connection from the upper to the lower mountain will not open today. We expect to run the same lifts tomorrow, along with the debut of the new Rainier Express!Before loading the lifts today, please be sure to review these crucial reminders: Early season conditions & unmarked hazards exist. Please ski and ride with caution and keep your eyes open for unmarked rocks, trees, bushes, and creeks. Ski & ride with care. We know you’re excited, and we are too. Please ride responsibly and stay in control today as we launch the 2025-2026 Winter Season. Brush up on Mountain Safety and the Responsibility Code!Obey all mountain closures. Our team is working hard to open terrain as quickly and safely as possible. Closed areas are closed for a reason, so please keep yourself and our team safe by only skiing in open areas.This Daily Message is THE source for the most update to date informationon operations. It will be updated at ~5am, ~7:30am, and throughout the day for operations changes, as well as updates on conditions and weather. Due to damage from this month's storms, snowfall totals will not be reported until 8am for the time being. The snowstake cam is cleared daily at 4pm, and is located at midmountain.Guest Wi-Fi and some cell phone carriers may continue to be offline due to storm damage. Regardless of cell provider and signal availability, guests can call 911 for on-mountain emergencies, or speak directly to a Crystal Mountain Employee. These calls will get relayed to Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol Dispatch. Do not come to the mountain without a reservation. This now includes afternoon arrivals as well. A friendly reminder that those without reservations will be turned away. See the limited access plan below for full details. Food and Beverage: The Summit House Restaurant will be open from 10:30 a.m. to with last seating at 2:30 p.m. with a limited menu, along with Brew 62 Cafe, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Mountain Commons Lodge Food Hall, open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rafters will be open as a warming space only. BrandX Rentals and Tune Shop: Select rental options will be available and the Tune Shop will be open this weekend for walk up purchases.Crystal Mountain outfitters will be open on standard hours todaySki and Ride School: Due to limited terrain Ski and Ride School will not be available this weekend, but check Crystal Mountain website for updated information on future bookings. SPECIAL EVENTS: The new Rainier Express chairlift will make its debut on Sunday, December 21st with music at the Midway Yurt and a special limited-time retail capsule collection available in Crystal Mountain Outfitters.Uphill Travel Update: See the above banner for the current status. Uphill Travel within the ski area is now restricted to the designated uphill route ONLY. (Discovery Meadow and Quicksilver trails) Southback will remain open to uphill travel at this time. Please visit guest services to get your 25/26 uphill travel card, this must be renewed free of charge for the season. Make sure to check the Mountain Report page for any changes or restrictions that may be in place. Uphill Travel may be prohibited at any time as mountain operations teams conduct avalanche mitigation. Refer to the "No Uphill Travel" lights around the base area and the Mountain Report page indicating the status of the designated route. These lights are located by the Gondola trail map, bottom of Chinook, bottom of Discovery, and top of Quicksilver lift shack.LIMITED ACCESS PLAN:The mountain will open daily for the 25/26 season with special limited access this Saturday, December 20. As reported by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Highway 410 has sustained significant damage due to erosion from this week’s historic precipitation, and is operating via a single-lane gravel shoulder, controlled by a traffic light, where Boise Creek has cut under the road. Because of this, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has requested limited access until Highway 410 is repaired to maintain the safety of travelers and integrity of the road. INTERIM PARKING POLICY:In collaboration with WSDOT, Crystal Mountain has agreed to cap the number of parking reservations offered to reduce the number of travelers on Highway 410 while the interim solution is in place, which is expected at least through January and is subject to change. Reservations are now required seven days a week, all times, including afternoon arrivals, during this interim solution. Only guests with parking reservations will be able to park and ski at Crystal Mountain.These new parking reservations are now available through January 31., free of charge within a 7-day window and $10 for bookings outside of 7-days. Guests who have already purchased mid-week or weekend daily tickets but no parking reservation must book parking here, or carpool with another guest who has a reservation via SP+ Carpool App, available for download from the App Store.The waitlist function is active for the new days requiring reservations.The Enumclaw Expo Center parking lot will continue as Crystal’s park and ride location. Once daily tickets are sold out online, guests with a parking reservation, or carpooling with someone who has one, can buy tickets on-site at Guest Services.The Crystal Mountain Express Shuttle Service will not be running at this time. We are working to restore this option. Existing shuttle reservations for this weekend will have a first right of refusal for parking reservations. SP+ will reach out via email.If you have purchased an A-Lot parking Spot, Gold Hills Spot or have a Seasonal RV spot, you are not required to reserve a daily parking spot.Hotel guests: nothing has changed for this process. Look out for further communications from your respective hotels. Guests should not attempt to visit Crystal Mountain without a parking reservation. Guests without a parking reservation will be turned around, in addition to creating unneeded stress on the interim plan. Crystal Mountain is committed to return to regular access as soon as Highway 410 repairs are completed. Safety is the top priority, on the mountain and on the road. We’d like to express our sincere appreciation to WSDOT for their collaboration in maintaining access to Highway 410 as well as for their heroic efforts across the state for all those impacted by the flooding. Their partnership has been instrumental in ensuring safe and reliable travel for our guests and community. We encourage everyone, visitors, residents, and partners, to work together to keep this access open. By following guidelines, planning ahead, and respecting the efforts of WSDOT and local stakeholders, we can preserve this vital connection for all..............Mountain Weather 12/20/2025 4:20pmSynopsis: A stagnant low, churning just off the Gulf of Alaska will continue to whirl a steady trickle of moisture into the Pnw. Snow levels remain consistent in the 2-3k range, with negligible daytime warming during the daylight hours. Winds will also be on the mild side with ridge tops displaying 10-20mph SW winds. This pattern looks to persist throughout the forecast period. Saturday Night: Sky Cover: Light snow showers Freezing Elevation: 2000’ 12hr Precip: 2-4” Wind Trends: Light to Moderate WSW Sunday: Sky Cover: Light snow showers Freezing Elevation: 2500’ 12hr Precip: Up to 2” Wind Trends: Light to Moderate SW Sunday Night: Sky Cover: Snow showers Freezing Elevation: 3000’ 12hr Precip: 2-5” Wind Trends: Moderate SW Outlook: The aforementioned low, responsible for the cool steady trickle, begins to migrate southeast, gaining momentum and strength along the way. We can expect a classic, winter storm to move through fast and furious before exiting the area come Tuesday. Forecaster: Mike Haft .............ADVANCED PARKING RESERVATIONS FOR THE SEASON ARE OPEN. BOOK YOURS HERE. REX 2.0: Stay tuned with our social media and blog for imagery and updates!Crystal Mountain Instagram | Crystal Mountain Facebook | Crystal Mountain Blog HIRING FOR THE 25/26 SEASONDid you know we're hiring for the 25/26 season? Come work and play at Washingtons premier ski destination! Rooted in community, the Crystal Crew is unbeatable. Check out our positions on our website today.25/26 WINTER PRODUCTS & PASSESNIGHT SKIING HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR THE 25/26 SEASON! FROM 28 to 53 NIGHTS! Read full announcement Daily lift tickets are now on sale, plus $62 Tuesday's are NOW DOUBLED! Every 2nd and now 4th Tuesday of the 25/26 season, ride for only $62! Lock in your holiday plans, or your next trip with savings you can't beat. Purchase now and save later.Performance Ski, Snowboard and Beginner Rental Pass:ON SALE NOW! Tune Pass: Premier and Base available for purchase!Demo Pass: Lock in the best gear of the 25/26 season with unlimited use!25/26 3-Day Midweek & Anytime Passes: Your pass to the perfect powder day, groomer day or when conditions are right for you. Purchase today and gear up for a rad winter.Afternoon Pass:With extended night skiing dates, take your Afternoon Pass to the next level!25/26 WINTER PROGRAMS,CLINICS, AND NECESSITIESSki and Ride School:Explore our programs and find your right fit.Freeride Program (NEW! Adult Programs now available): Registration now open, limited spots available! AIARE Course & Certification: Ski the backcountry with expert knowledge and certificationSeasonal Gear storage: Hassle-free on mountain storage with limited availability, lock your space in today!Seasonal Lockers:For you or the entire family, check out options today .A-Lot Permits: Lock in your A-Lot permit today, limited availability. Full Day Seasonal Lesson Programs for 4-6 year olds are now available- with lunch included too! Secure your spot.Already signed up for a 2-hour session and want to upgrade? No problem—just call us at 833-279-7895In case of on-mountain emergency: Call 360-663-3064 or 911
Crystal Mountain offers 2,600 acres of accessible terrain (2,300 acres of which are lift served). Skiers and riders will find everything from relaxed groomers to challenging advanced terrain. Expansive backcountry parallels the open boundary policy for experts.
This year-round resort offers a number of summer activities as well, including disc golf, scenic gondola rides, hiking, horseback rides, mountain biking and mountain yoga.
Where Is Crystal Mountain Ski Resort Located?
Crystal Mountain ski area is located next to Mt. Rainier National Park in the Cascade Range of Washington, less than two hours from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
