New Bullion Basin lift, upgrade to High Campbell..

In the Google Earth diagram that I posted above, you may notice that the words "Backcountry Access Route" overlay a significant avalanche path. This path ran sometime in the 1990s, taking out old timber. (The old Bullion Basin lift was already gone by that time.)

If I'm reading the maps right, a designated ski run (and my suggested backcountry route) crosses this avalanche path. I wonder what Crystal Mountain is planning for avalanche control here. Given the location of the starting zone, I think artillery would be the safest way to control it. Sending avalanche control people up there on foot would be really dangerous.

This path doesn't slide often, but it has gone big during the history of the ski area, so I suppose they'll have to manage it. Maybe they'll just close that run when they're concerned about it. Who knows?

excuse me for ignorance ahead of time.

Is this lift a beginning for Crystal to put in another lift sometime in the LONG LONG TERM future to the top of Bullion Basin and Union Creek Drainage? Not saying Bullion Basin is a dream place for them...but maybe the Union Creek Drainage/Cement Basin area is. I have never skiied in that area... just thinking long term for the place and what you all are thinking.

In the original master plan Crystal wanted to put a lift to the top of East Peak...but the scenic Pacific Crest trail would have been impacted...damaging the wilderness experience of the through hikers...unlike through the I-90 area which is much more natural and the south cascade clear cuts....I like backpacking and being in the woods, but sometimes....anyway last I heard the upper lift had been dropped…kinda like the King chair – which was fine with me…and probably most TAY folks

Another point I should have made was that the BB lift was supposed to haul folks out of the B and C lots and the second base area (with the skier bridge over the blvd for access back)...but guess that concept has been canceled (at least the bridge part)

Hey DDK

Where is the daily Crystal conditions report?

I feel lost without it :'(

I second the one ride ticket idea. This should be required if they are going to string a lift up the only backcountry area in the Crystal Valley that you do not need to go through the ski area to access. The lift served skiing terrain from this new lift will be mostly awful, just like Gold Hills, but it will get you to the top of East Peak faster (but who wants to shell out $70 or buy a seasons pass to do that). 

I understand your perspective Altasnob but others may feel differently and I'm one of them.
As a BC skier who intends to buy a Crystal season pass every year my perspective is different. The new BB chairlift is great, it will offer new opportunities to easily access East peak, Cement Basin etc etc and help spread people out on the mountain. Since I will have a season pass, riding the lifts to get access will not cost me anymore. Additionally, to be honest I hope they don't offer a one trip ticket for several reasons. The first is I don't want the additional BC skiers that will attracted( easier access if the cost was nominal would encourage people up East Peak and Bullion Basin) and second I don't think it fair that people who contribute little to Crystal's economic well being should have the virtually free use( if the fee was nominal) of their facilities  ( Many BC skiers use their toilets and plowed parking areas and benefit from their road plowing along the boulevard). If they do offer a one way ticket I think it should be considerably higher than $10 and more like a parking fee, say $25 to pay for the fair use of their facilities and the parking spaces they will be taking up that could be used by full paying guests.
The third reason is that BC skiers use Crystal ski Area for access while many of the same complain about the commercial aspect of Crystal Mountain. Maybe if this was denied them they would divert their attention to getting better all year access to the opportunities that exist in the Chinook , White River Campground and Sunrise areas of MRNP. 
If the road to White River Campground was plowed during the winter it would give access to some of the finest BC skiing on the continent as evidenced by Kyle's recent foray and I'm sure it could be done on a reasonable budget. Why don't you Crystal haters divert your attention there. You would be unsullied by the proximity to resort skiers or hybrids ( Resort/BC) like myself.
Or else maybe you can all go to Paradise or the opportunities offered in the Hywy 2 and I90- passes.
I do hope they implement strict anti-skinning rules to prevent BC skinners from accessing the area through the runs and agree with Lowell that if allowed it would be dangerous.
Great news and I hope that sometime in the future a ski lift to the top of East Peak does become a reality.
Good work Crystal Management and USFS. Bravo.