ENUMCLAW, Wash — Skiers and snowboarders headed to Crystal Mountain on Friday for opening day of ski season. Friday was for passholders only, while the general public will be allowed starting Saturday.
The resort opened nine days earlier than the last ski season due to early November snowfall. The resort already has 2 feet of natural snow at the base and around 40 inches of natural snow on the upper mountain.
“We have more snow now than we did last January,” said Peter Dale, the director of mountain operations. “The coverage and the conditions are really quite good for this time of year.”
Dale said that this is the best snow conditions for the opening of the resort in about five years.
“We've got about half of the mountain open, six lifts open today,” said Dale. “That's drastically more than last year. Last year, we really opened with just a couple lifts operating.”
Two of the lifts that go to the upper mountain closed temporarily on opening day due to high winds. There was also rain for much of the day, which later turned to snow.
“We're just stoked to be out here, it doesn't matter if it's wet,” said Alec Wostmann, a Seattle resident. “Some fresh snow, being on a chairlift, it feels good.”
With last year's ski season having a rough start with late snowfall across western Washington, this early opening before Thanksgiving was welcomed.
“Better than last year for sure,” said Zach Steinberg, a Seattle resident. “But that was a low bar, and hopefully this year is much better in the long run.”
Skiers and snowboarders are happy with the early start to the season and have high hopes for the winter months to come.
“Always more snow, more pow days,” said Wostmann. “Hoping La Nina comes through this year and blesses us with some more snow.”
Crystal Mountain will be closed Nov. 25-288 and will open daily for the rest of the season starting on Friday, November 29.