Crystal Mountain Resort Open for the Season
Highway 410 Reopens Following Flood Repairs
Historic flooding across the Pacific Northwest caused extensive damage along Highway 410 and forced multiple closures. As a result, the Washington State Department of Transportation completed major repair work and has now reopened the highway. After crews addressed significant road damage along this critical route, access to Crystal Mountain has been fully restored.
In response, Crystal Mountain Ski Resort thanks WSDOT for its relentless efforts across the region and for completing the Highway 410 repairs that made reopening possible.
Resort Opening for the 2025 26 Season
With Highway 410 open, Crystal Mountain will fully open for the 2025 26 season on Wednesday, December 24. Daily operations will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Beginning opening day, guests will have access to the Mount Rainier Gondola, Chinook Express, Discovery, Quicksilver, Rainier Express, Forest Queen Express, Green Valley Express, and Chair 6. As always, weather conditions will determine daily lift operations.
Snow Conditions and Mountain Safety
Meanwhile, snowfall continues to build across the mountain. Over the past 24 hours, Crystal Mountain received 1 inch at the base and 3 inches along the summit ridgeline. Together, those totals bring the two day snowfall to 9 inches and the season total to 89 inches.
For the most current information, guests should check the Mountain Report page before arriving. Because early season conditions remain present, skiers and snowboarders should ride with caution. In addition, all guests must follow the Skier Responsibility Code at all times.
Rainier Express Chairlift Launch
Earlier this week, Crystal Mountain launched the new Rainier Express Chairlift on December 21, 2025. This long anticipated opening generated excitement and appreciation for the resort’s storied lift history.
According to Peter Dale, Senior Director of Mountain Operations at Crystal Mountain, returning to full operations marks an important milestone. “After a wild start to the season with extreme weather and damage to key roadways, we are grateful to return to normal operations,” Dale said. “Nature sets the pace, and we stay flexible so our employees, skiers, and riders can safely enjoy the mountain.”
Community Impact and Gratitude
At the same time, Crystal Mountain extends heartfelt sympathy to everyone impacted by recent flooding. The resort recognizes the challenges faced by communities across the state and remains deeply grateful for the collective recovery effort. In particular, Crystal Mountain thanks the Washington State Department of Transportation and Active Construction Inc., the contractor that led Highway 410 repairs. Because of their dedication, the resort looks forward to welcoming guests for a strong and memorable season.
Parking and Shuttle Operations
This winter, Crystal Mountain will return to its original parking plan. Parking reservations will be required on weekends and holidays. While lift access includes parking reservations, guests without lift access or those booking outside the seven day rolling window may reserve parking for $10.
Beginning December 25, holiday parking reservations will open. At the same time, the Crystal Mountain Express Shuttle will resume service. Guests can find full parking and shuttle details online.
Guests with a paid midweek reservation that has not yet occurred will receive an automatic refund. Meanwhile, guests with a paid weekend advance reservation have until December 31 to cancel for a refund. After that date, reservations will remain confirmed and subject to the nonrefundable policy.
Special Events and Seasonal Programs
- On Fridays and Saturdays, Rafters Bar and Grill will host Happy Hour with live music from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. During this time, guests can enjoy food and drink specials before heading back out for night skiing.
- On December 31, Crystal Mountain will host a New Years Eve Party featuring family friendly karaoke, live music, and interactive contests. Later in the evening, guests can step outside at 9:00 p.m. to watch fireworks light up the slopes. The event runs from 6:00 p.m. to midnight and welcomes guests of all ages.
- Additionally, Crystal Mountain has expanded night skiing for the season. Night skiing will now run Thursdays through Sundays from December 26 to March 15, with extended sessions during New Years and Presidents Day. With 53 scheduled nights, the resort will offer nearly twice as many night ski nights as last year.
- This season also introduces the Crystal Ride to Win program. By tracking mountain days through the upgraded Ikon App, skiers and riders will enter drawings for one of five Ikon Passes for the 2026 27 season or one of twenty five $50 Crystal Mountain gift cards. As a result, every day on the mountain becomes more rewarding.
Learn More About the Season
For additional updates on what is new at Crystal Mountain this season, guests can explore the full seasonal update online.
About Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
Local skiers founded Crystal Mountain in 1962 outside of Enumclaw, Washington. Today, the resort stands as Washington State’s largest ski area with 2,600 acres of terrain.
Situated on the northeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park, Crystal Mountain offers a wide mix of groomed and off piste runs with expansive views of the Cascade Range. Although the setting feels remote, the resort remains easy to reach from Seattle Tacoma International Airport. As home to Washington’s highest elevation scenic gondola and highest elevation restaurant, Crystal Mountain delivers year-round outdoor experiences for lifelong adventurers, weekend warriors, and beginner mountaineers alike.
For more information, visit www.crystalmountainresort.com.