The Crystal Conclusion...

Cross Country Skiing has probably lost it's appeal around here because of limited access to snow. The sno park at the Crystal Turnoff gives access to a road, Hwy 410, that is plowed and has gravel and dirt on it. Your are forced to try and ski the snow banks on the shoulders. If we had a proper Sno Park at the Sunrise entrance it would become very popular. It could provide access for backcountry skiing, sno shoeing as well as a groomed track. Maybe even a skate ski track, what a concept for a winter sno play area on our public land. The Sun Top road is gated at about 2200' elevation and has limited snow coverage making it worthless most of the time. The 70 road is a great area for the snowmobile crowd but we don't need to mix them together with skiers. Let's have 2 happy groups that can co existing in separate areas. Open the gate at Mt Rainier Park and allow us controlled access, give us a place to park and let us have some fun. Maybe the fact that the solution to the problem is so obvious that the government just can't understand it.

Bob, Couldn't agree with you more. I never have understood why MRNP doesn't allow access to the eastside of Rainier in the winter.. Obviously, that would relieve pressure on the Paradise side. Makes sense to me.............They staff rangers there in the winter,,,,,,,,,, why not open it up????????

It makes too much sense, thats why..................

Right now I pay $30/year for a pass to MRNP. If I could have better access (IE White River Entrance) in the winter, I'd be glad to fork over $100/year for a pass.

Uberaga, are you listening?/

Open up the park. Let us ski, snow shoe, hike , climb the best side of the mountain.......

Thank you for your consideration............

Well I was at Crystal yesterday. Second Saturday of the season. Blue bird day. OK on the groomers, Virtually no competition with Snoqualmie closed. And no lift lines. I rode single or in unfilled chairs all day long.

So is this a sign of tough economic times coupled with escalating lift ticket prices? Other reasons in addition? Or am I just off base?

This might be off topic.... but about Crystal...  I didn't really want to start a new thread.

A few nights ago, I was watching KIRO-7 late night.  I caught an odd commercial.  I was tempted to roll it back and capture into a vid file, but decided that it would seen by y'all soon.  However, I haven't seen it since.  Maybe it will roll out again soon.

To describe:  the commercial shows a monastary scene with gregorian chants.  The monks ceremoniously pull out an ancient key.  Then you hear a lock being unlocked. Next, a chasity belt falls to the floor around a lady's bare legs.

Well... that got my attention.

Then, switch to a Crystal Mountain 'Warren Miller moment' ski scene... the narrator talking about Crystal Mountain's 'Virgin' slopes being freed up for skiing with the new North Back Lift.....

I rolled that commercial back and watched it about three times...   I don't know what to think... a little racy for prime time tv...  But will get your attention.    Has anyone else seen this?

"At the resorts, I get in the lift line, the lift operator loads me on the chair, and I go skiing.  I am not there to make a new buddy with the lift attendent, nor is there time to make small talk other than to say thanks.  I carry my lunch in my pack most of the time." Quote from BC

If the chair is stalled , do you have time to talk to the liftie? They have a tiresome job. Maybe a little small talk would be nice.

To each his own. Skiing , like golf is a social sport. If you don't want to be social, no biggy. But , it would be nice.

Us, PNWesterners are a nice bunch of folk. All you have to do is say "hello". You'd be surprised at the response.

I'll second the lunch in the pack. Burgers have gotten a little pricy at Crystal. If you like to use the "Black" American Express, I guess it's no big thing.