Crystal Mountain hoping to open for skiing Friday

Just four months after closing for skiing in July, Washington's largest ski resort plans to open Friday, November 18, based on a snow-filled forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

November 15, 2011 3:58 pm

Note: the following is a press release issued Tuesday morning by Crystal Mountain.

Just four months after closing for skiing in July, Washington’s largest ski resort plans to open Friday, November 18, based on a snow-filled forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

“It’s a bold move to announce the opening date before we have enough snow, but we are pretty confident that the weather will produce enough snow over the next couple days to put us in really good shape for a limited opening on Friday,” said Marketing Director Tiana Enger.

The Mt. Rainier Gondola and Green Valley chairlift will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lift tickets will be reduced to $35 on Friday. Scenic gondola rides are available for $20. Additional terrain will open as the snowpack continues to build. Crystal Mountain is hoping to open Discovery, Chinook Express and Forest Queen Express chairlifts Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for Wednesday and Thursday in the Cascades and is predicting a few feet of snow. Currently there is just over a foot of snow in Green Valley.

More details will be released Thursday.