Crystal Mountain Uphill Travel

Here is the "exit chute" skiers left side of three-way that they are referring to. Not ok to skin up (so you must go the long way to get to Crystal Lakes, if that is your destination).

Crystal's uphill policy post from last year.

Question:  I was touring outside the permit boundary a few weeks ago (1st day the lifts were spinning actually)   My party checked in with Ski Patrol in the morning.

When we stopped by the ski patrol office at 3:45pm I discovered that the Crystal Ski Patrol had tried calling my and my ski partner's cell phones several (20?) minutes earlier.  Since the phones were in airplane mode to conserve battery, we didn't answer.   Crystal Ski Patrol then called my emergency contact -- which freaked her out.

So I'm wondering if calling the cell numbers of backcountry parties is now something that is part of Crystal's "sweep" procedure?   

Randy,

That's not part of our normal procedure. Not sure what happened there. We have actually just changed the "backcountry registration" process to be entirely self check-in and out. There's a clipboard on our Snow Safety Board in the patrol locker room, and you can fill it out yourself. We use this in the event that a friend/loved one reports you missing. We don't expect everyone to check out, especially if it's after hours. But it is helpful.

For uphill travel within our ski area boundary, you still need to talk to the dispatcher. Hope that helps.

Crystal Patrol - I think it would be very helpful if you post a USGS topo map (1:24,000 scale with the line drawn on it) on your website in addition to the FatMap screen shot. Your description of Southback vs. Silver Basin is good, but it would be even better if it was accompanied by a topo. A lot of folks have a hard time placing local names and runs once they get in the terrain (especially in bad vis, or if they're new to the area) and I'm sure they would appreciate a real map plus the aerial shot. Thanks!

This is a great point. We are working on putting out a better map soon. Stay tuned!

Here's what I believe patrol is saying

This is precisely it. You just can't skin up where we do avalanche control. That's what we are trying to avoid. There are other areas well within our ski area boundary that have always been closed to uphill travel. It's because we do AC there. I realize that 5, 10, 20 years ago we allowed it. But with the uptick in uphill travel we have to take a more serious stand.

So no uphill travel within south Back? No more Throne/King/Threeway access? What a shame.

I hear you. We tried for several years to find a way to make this work. But to no avail. And yep, marketing shared a post that was taken in SE Trees. Big oops. We are working on getting everyone on board. It's an uphill battle (no pun intended).

This year it's been especially hard because Chair 6 and Southback haven't been open from the top much. Currently, you can hike up Powder Pass to top of Chair 6 and across to Southback. The key is that you have to enter through our gates and read our signs. It's a liability thing. Thanks for understanding.

Crystal Patrol: Thanks for the update on check-in/check-out/closing procedure -- looks like my experience was likely an opening day glitch.

Anyone that want to know: The Crystal Ski Patrol's blog has a useful map of boundary between "Southback" and the rest of Silver Basin.

https://blogcrystaldotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/southback_fatmap.jpg?w=576&h=1024

There is also this description:

Southback vs. Silver Basin
Southback sits within Silver Basin, but does not take up the entire basin. It is still okay to skin up into the section of Silver Basin that is not within our ski area boundary. Before getting to the "airstrip"-the long flat section at the base of Southback-turn left as you travel uphill (marked above with the red star), and skin along the climber's left flank of the airstrip, heading towards the base of Chicken Head and Triple F. Joe's Badass Shoulder and the climber's left flank of Threeway are outside of our ski area boundary. It's still okay to tour into these areas.