Ski Patrol Phone Number

Actually I can't think of any situation in which I would want to call 911 in the mountains. Either ski patrol, the local sheriffs office, or the local search and rescue is going to save you a lot of time over going through 911. These 'agencies' are going to be the ones to respond to help you.

While that's true, most folks don't have the local Sheriff's office number programmed into their phones.  Having the ski patrol numbers can be handy for sure, but if you're not within their immediate reach they'll kick it over to the Sheriff instead, which has jurisdiction over all SAR activities in WA state.  Lacking all of those phone numbers, 911 will get the ball rolling just as well, especially if you're calm/collected enough to make it clear that you're in the mountains and need SAR to come looking for you. 

If I weren't within or just outside Crystal, Alp, Baker boundaries, I'd absolutely call 911.  It's the most appropriate number in any situation and has the advantage of being easy to remember.

In case of emergency: CALL 911.
In the US and Canada we have a system that is set up for this sort of thing.  Rest assured, this area has one of, if not the best, emergency response networks in the world (You paid for it.  You deserve it).
You will not be any better off by calling Patrol directly.  In fact it is more likely to cause confusion/delay, and I'm not sure if Ski Patrol is at the phone 24/7 (what if their resources are taxed on other responses? Or you need multiple resources?).
911 will screen your call immediately, and begin dispatching appropriate resources while they are interrogating you (Dispatch is trained and monitors the availability of  closest/most appropriate resources).  As soon as they hear "Fire" another Dispatcher is tapping out the Fire Dept.  Same thing when they hear "Armed robber" -Police, or "Skier caught in avalanche" -Ski Patrol/Mt Rescue, etc..
Marcus hits it on the button.  Most importantly, stay calm, listen, and answer the dispatcher's questions to the point.  Know what your emergency is, and where you are (a good reason to drop mental bread crumbs when in the backcountry).

Help never arrives as fast as you would like in a true emergency, but 911 will get the closest/fastest/most appropriate resources to you faster than any other method.
And yes, I is one :

Our ski patrol friend Corey at Crystal encourages, "Those with cell phones are encouraged to keep the Ski Patrol "Emergency Only" number, 360-663-3064, programmed in your phone, and keep it turned on if you're separated from your companions!"

The situation may dictate who to call first.

Best to have options.

I agree having ski patrol number is a good fast route if in a ski area. If you call 911 from a cell phone, you will most likely get State Patrol. If you do use 911, it will speed things up if you tell them right away you are in the mountains and need "KingComm" or "KittComm" or whatever the local dispatch or sheriff is.

Also, at the Snoqualmie/Alpental areas, ski patrol monitors channel 9, code 11 on the Motorola walkie-talkies. These are handy to have in an emergency, even if you don't like having them on all the time. As well as notifying someone of a situation, you can also use them to talk rescuers in to your location once they are in the area.

but 911 will get the closest/fastest/most appropriate resources to you faster than any other method.
And yes, I is one :

Although as mentioned it took ~ an hour for them to forward a call to Xtal patrol the other week? ???