December 29, 2005 Crystal Mt.

If you like waiting in line, I guess it's ok. I'm spoiled from skiing midweek. Ski right onto the chair. More skiing, just as much interaction with people. I like people, not lines and crowds and traffic jams. <br><br>I suppose if you are used to sitting on I-5, 405 or any other clogged road, then the holiday/weekend lift lines are right up your alley. Not mine. I'll stick to the solitude of midweek and "hardcore" skiiers who get in plenty of vertical.

my comment on lift lines was meant to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, although I'm not adverse to waiting sometimes when there's good snow.  Some of us don't have the luxury of mid-week skiing.  Isn't it a bit arrogant to suggest that only mid-week skiers are "hardcore", can find solitude and get plenty of vertical?

It was so good south back had the super highway no posthole trail, but queens chair looked pretty festive, I think there were plenty of for everyone

Paul, It's pretty hard to be hardcore when you're waiting in lift lines and sitting on a chair. Just telling it like it is. Mid week is the only way to go. It's not a "luxury" to ski midweek. It's a sacrifice to work weekends to have days off during the week. A sacrifice well worth it. <br><br>Try it, you'll like it. <br><br>And yes, the midweek skiiers are the hardcore. There is a group of about six guys and one gal in their mid 60's who rip every day, midweek. That's "HARDCORE" baby. They don't mess with weekends. Can't get the vertical. I'm just repeatiing what they have said. But, I do agree.

We were there for my son's first ever Crystal day. I personally found the lift lines way over my annoyance threshhold, probably because the snow was so good.<br><br>More annoying was the theft of my backpack from the rack'o'pegs (provided for the purpose of hanging backpacks) at the base of Rainier Express. No I did not have a luggage lock on it but still. I hope the person who presumably paid for a lift ticket, and shares in some way our love of the mountains, enjoys my thermos, lunch remnants and assorted ski gloves. Should have used a crappy old duffel bag.<br><br>We also got the word that brown-bagging is not appreciated at the otherwise beautiful new lodge at the top of Forest Queen: be discreet and buy a little something.

Another factor to consider on busy, crowded weekend/holiday skiing days. More thieves come out. It's harder for them to be caught. Unfortunately, you have to lock up everything. Midweek isn't as bad. But, you still have some theft going on.<br><br>Glad to hear you got your son out there for the first time. <br><br>Just buy a cup of coffee and munch on your own food.