Crystal Mountain set to open Friday thanks to man-made snow

Crystal Mountain, Wash. — Despite a dry start, ski resorts and shops are gearing up for a busy winter season.

Crystal Mountain opens Friday. This year, Mother Nature had extra help to cover the lower runs.

“Having snowmaking now it’s really increased the opportunities for us to open up earlier in the season when the temps are cold and we’re able to push snow out,” said Brianna Stoutenburgh, Crystal Mountain marketing and events coordinator.

Crystal Mountain invested $3 million into snowmaking abilities, adding 22 new snow guns. Stoutenburgh said it’s money well spent.

“All we want is more powder, so the more snow we can get the better,” she said.

KIRO 7 meteorologists projected an El Nino year, which could mean a warmer and drier winter and a lower snow pack.

Hunter Yates works at Enumclaw Ski and Mountain Sports. He said the dry weather played a role this month.

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“This is kind of one of the slower starts to the season. We haven’t had barely anything until now,” he said.

Yates can’t wait for it to snow.

“Everyone wakes up with a smile on their face. Anything could be going wrong, anything could be happening, but as long as there’s snowfall in the mountains, we’re happy to be here,” he said.

Once it snows, Yates said the store will be packed with people grabbing skis and snowboards as they head down the road to the slopes.

“Tomorrow and into Friday we could be seeing up to a foot of snow down to our base area, so, with that, conditions are only going to improve and get better,” said Stoutenburgh.

Crystal Mountain tickets start at $47 if bought three-days in advance online. Tickets purchased at the ticket window are $63.

The season typically runs through mid-April.

Click here for more information from Crystal Mountain on purchasing lift tickets.

Crystal has announced the following operating schedule for opening week:

- Nov. 23-25: Chinook Express and Discovery from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Nov. 26 and Nov. 27: Closed

- Nov. 28 to Dec. Open - Lifts to be decided on weather conditions

- Dec. 3 and Dec. 4: Closed

- Dec. 5: Open - Lifts to be decided on weather conditions

Cox Media Group