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Crystal Mountain changing ticket policy amid traffic, parking problems

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, Wash. — Crystal Mountain Resort is changing its ticket policy to address overcrowding and parking and traffic issues.

"On the biggest weekends, our mountain roads are choked, our parking areas are now reaching capacity earlier and there are a lot more of us charged up to play in the powder," a letter from the resort read. "Our region too is bursting with a lot more folks who live here because of what our mountains offer. Crystal has not been immune and we’re all feeling the crush."

Beginning Saturday, the resort will stop selling walk-up full day tickets on weekends and holidays. There will still be advance tickets available online, but the number will be dependent on traffic and weather conditions.

It will continue to honor pass holders and those who bought advance tickets.

"As a community, we all love Crystal, but right now it’s a mountain that is feeling too much love and we are taking decisive action to preserve what it means to all of us," the letter said.

The resort said that they believe these new measures will have the affect of capping the total number of skiers to an amount they can accommodate.

Crystal Mountain also has programs in place to encourage carpooling and said it will be expanding its parking lot this summer.

Read the full letter here.