The Crystal Conclusion...

There once existed a place, that place no more
Overrun by corporate greed, need I say more

Their business model left much to be desired
As each passing year a new crop of beep beeps hired

Sticking it to people seems to be the new way
Losing loyal customers and picking up unsuspecting ones along the way

My proof you say, just read the threads
They don’t lie, they’re fueled by passion and dread

Change has to start from the top or there is no other way
But for backcountry enthusiasts, we will always find a way

When these legs become noodles and can climb no more
Grumble, grumble I will, rest assure

HEY!!!
I've just come to the same conclusion about Alpine Meadows down here in Tahoe...only they're pulling the dirty move of nearly doubling their pass prices AND blowing off the college-age group by not offering any form of discount for us kids not drowning in $$$. Oh, and not offering really any improvements to speak of to somehow justify this hike. They call it progress? Boooooo to that...time to finally get that Kirkwood pass maybe?

So here's the deal. I grew up skiing Crystal. I learned how to ski/board At Crystal. The bulk of any back country experience I have is at Crystal. I have bought several season passes at Crystal.... But Not any more! I see those excavators doing a "24 ft" dig right through one of my favorate powder stashes and my hart just sinks. When I see the season pass prices rise year after year. My hart sinks. next thing ya know they will put a lift in silver basin and chop off the top of the King, then the whole thing will be Moguls and groomers. Cant ya just see em pulling a winch groomer up Brain damage. Ha! I will always ski/board at Crystal just not so much and maybe on the other side of the valley.
P.S. I bought my first Big S Pass!

Congrats on yer Big S Pass Nailbender! I've been doing the Big S for a few seasons now and I have no regrets at all. Snoqualmie is keeping it real with their affordable passes and that's a very wise choice. I'm sick of all this corporate ski area B.S. I will never spend another dime at Stevens and it sounds like I may have to do that at Crystal as well. They're turning skiing into a sport for only the wealthy and that makes want to vomit all over them. Shame on you Boyne! You too Harbor Resorts!

Sorry, but I have to disagree a little bit on how cool the summit is being. With the discontinuation of any type of well priced midweek pass they have joined the 'skiing-is-for-the-rich' bunch as far as I'm concerned. The ltd. pass is nothing but a token nod in this direction, but the message is clear: "We don't want you midweekers here unless you pay more money".

I wasn't aware of the Summit pulling the mid-week passes, yikes!  I also just noticed that they jacked up their unlimited pass to $339.  Wasn't it still $299 last year?  I guess it's still a reasonable price for what you get.  But I see your point oftpiste.  That's a lame move to penalize mid-weekers.  Shame on Booth Creek too! I'm glad I've got climbing skins.