Northway Ski Patrol
Volunteer Ski Patrol
Northway Ski Patrol
Volunteer Ski Patrol
General Safety
Crystal Mountain is committed to safety, encouraging responsibility and awareness through clear policies and best practices.

For emergencies, call the Crystal Mountain Emergency line at (360)-663-3064 or 911.

Stage 1 Fire Use Restrictions are now in place for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Please be aware of heightened wildfire danger. Fires are restricted to campfire rings established by the Forest Service at designated developed campgrounds. Smoking is prohibited except while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

General
Smoking & vaping is prohibited within 50 feet of any building, lift terminals, lift lines or persons. Please be respectful of those around you.

  • Marijuana is prohibited on Federal lands, which includes all of Crystal Mountain.
Alcohol is not permitted in public spaces. Please do not ski while intoxicated. Alcoholic drinks must stay in the venue where they were purchased.

We ID Everyone. Types of Acceptable ID:

  1. Driver’s License, Instruction Permit, or I.D. Card issued by any U.S. State, U.S. Territory and District of Columbia.*
  2. Driver’s License, Instruction Permit, or I.D. Card issued by any Canadian Province
  3. Valid Washington State Temporary Driver’s License
  4. U.S. Armed Forces I.D. Card (Encrypted signature acceptable)
  5. Merchant Marine I.D. Card issued by the U.S. Coast Guard
  6. Official Passport, Passport Card, NEXUS Card
  7. Washington State Tribal Enrollment Card (No expiration date required)

*Crystal Mountain does not accept vertical IDs from WA State.
Please do not leave personal items unattended. Crystal Mountain is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Crystal Mountain does offer daily and seasonal storage. Lost and found is located at Guest Services in Cascade Lodge.
All vendors or contractors needing access anywhere inside the Crystal Mountain boundary must submit information via this form: Contractor Access
Photographers + videographers shooting for an official brand are required to obtain permission from the Crystal Mountain Marketing and Sales Team. This will require forms covering liability and potentially a site access fee. We’d love to help facilitate the best experience possible. Please email: TCasello@skicrystal.com for inquiries. Photographers shooting for personal use (i.e. elopements, family portraits) are not required to obtain permission, if they are not selling their services on site.
Due to safety and privacy concerns, Crystal Mountain prohibits the operation or use on or above resort property of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public—including model aircraft by recreational users and hobbyists—without the prior written authorization from Crystal Mountain.

This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within the area boundaries. This prohibition extends to any devices launched or operated from resort property, as well as any launched from private property outside of the resort boundaries.

Please contact the Crystal Mountain Marketing Department if you wish to seek prior authorization to operate any such devices. Any authorized operation of drones on or above resort property will be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as those policies separately established by this resort, which may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability.

Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your access privileges to the resort, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any prohibited equipment, and may subject violators to any liability for damages, including, but not limited to, damages for trespass, violations of privacy, and physical injuries to persons and/or property, as well as legal fees.
Crystal Mountain values and honors the privacy of personally identifiable information entrusted to us. We abide by Alterra's corporate Privacy Policy which can be found below.

Alterra Mountain Company Privacy Policy (Privacy Policy | Alterra Mountain Company)
Summer
With the exception of authorized search and rescue, avalanche, and qualified service dogs, leashed dogs are allowed and in all outdoor public areas, on trails, and on the Mt. Rainier Gondola, as well as on outdoor patios.

Please be respectful and keep your dog under control. Dogs are not permitted inside lodges, restaurants or other structures.

Lightning, high wind, and other weather elements may temporarily prevent the gondola from operating. Please check the Mountain Report page before your visit, where we will share updates on closures in real time, as well as weather forecasts for the day.

Lightning can strike from 25 miles (40km) away. On the Summit, air horn alerts indicate you must evacuate before the gondola shuts down for safety.

  1. LONG TONE: Lightning in the area. Move to the Gondola to download immediately! Assist older people and those with disabilities. Carry children unable to keep up. Delay may require a long wait or walking down.

  2. THREE SHORT TONES: Seek shelter immediately! Find shelter under cover, off-ridge, and away from prominent trees and peaks. Sensors indicate lightning even if you don’t see or hear thunder. If taking shelter under chairlifts, stay seated and keep your feet together, away from metal.

  3. TWO SHORT TONES: The gondola may shut down for safety. Move toward downloading. Delay may require a long wait or a walk down to the base area.
Please do not touch, feed, or disturb wildlife; it’s against the law, dangerous, and human food can harm animals.

Even small mammals and birds can bite and carry disease. Feeding wildlife habituates them to the food source, ultimately inhibiting their ability to gather food.

Refrain from throwing rocks, especially downhill. Hikers and wildlife may be present below.
Please avoid hiking on service roads as they are used for resort maintenance and heavy machinery. Be aware of ongoing construction areas around the resort and familiarize yourself on ourtrail map page.

While hiking in the boundaries of Crystal Mountain resort, remember that you are still on wild and public land. We encourage everyone to know their route, check the weather, and bring essentials.
Open fires are prohibited on the mountain, including B-Lot RV sites.

If you think you see a potential wildfire, please call 911.

Fireworks are not permitted at Crystal Mountain or anywhere in National Forests.
Winter
It’s your responsibility to observe the code listed below. Please share the responsibility code with others in your group to ensure a fun and safe day on the mountain.

  • Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
  • People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
  • Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
  • Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
  • You must prevent runaway equipment.
  • Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
  • Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
  • You must know how, and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
  • Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  • If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and an employee.
Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many forms. At Crystal Mountain, guests may use alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross-country, and specialized equipment, including gear designed for disabled skiers. While the mountain welcomes all styles, remember that snows sports carry inherent risks that you cannot eliminate. No matter how you choose to ride, show courtesy to others, use common sense, and stay aware of your surroundings to reduce risk.
Uphill travel is allowed in designated areas at Crystal Mountain. Users must abide by all rules and restrictions.

View Uphill Travel Status
With the exception of authorized search and rescue/avalanche dogs and qualified service dogs, dogs may not ride chairlifts or accompany our guests on the slopes during the winter season. Dogs are also not allowed inthe ski school areas or any area where teaching occurs.

Leashed dogs are allowed in the plaza and parking lot areas.
Qualified service animals include dogs or miniature horses individually trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Authorized search and rescue and avalanche rescue dogs also qualify. Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals.

A qualified service animal may accompany its handler in all public base areas. Regardless of the season, service dogs may also ride the gondola and visit the Summit House restaurant and other public facilities. Due to size and weight restrictions, miniature horses are not allowed to ride the Mt. Rainier Gondola.
For the safety of all guests, Sledding is not permitted throughout Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, including in the parking lots and surrounding areas.
Refer to the trail map to locate “Family Slow Zones” at Crystal Mountain Resort. These zones are high traffic areas where multiple trails merge into one. Beginner skiers/snowboarders also frequent these areas.

Guests should travel at the same speed or below others on the trail. Safety Hosts as well as Ski Patrol can often be found in these areas to encourage slow skiing and riding. Please contact one of the members of our safety team with questions or concerns, or to report violators.

The Skier’s Responsibility Code dictates all guests must stay in control at all times in all areas at Crystal Mountain Resort. Guests must be able to stop or avoid other people or objects at all times. In the event of a collision, both parties must stop and exchange contact information even if there are no apparent injuries or damages to equipment.
  • If you are unfamiliar with loading, riding, or unloading, you must notify the operator.
  • When loading, read and obey the “Wait Here” and “Load Here” signs, as well as any other signage present.
  • When sitting down on the chair, ensure your back is fully against the backrest, and hold on to the chair.
  • If you or anyone else is not properly seated on the chair, you must notify the lift operator.
  • An adult should lower the arm bar after notifying other riders. Small children should not attempt to lower the arm bar.
  • During the ride, sit still and do not adjust equipment or lean forward for any other reason.
  • When unloading, raise tip(s) of skis/snowboard and wait until the chair reaches the “Unload Here” sign to stand up.
  • Crystal does not allow skiers or snowboarders to carry infants/toddlers in backpacks, chest packs, wraps or other similar devices on their bodies while using chairlifts.
Deep Snow Safety Image

A tree well/snow immersion suffocation accident can occur when a skier or snowboarder falls (usually headfirst) into a tree well or deep loose snow. When this happens, the skier or snowboarder is at risk of becoming immobilized and trapped under the snow, and suffocating.

During times of elevated tree well and deep snow, you may find hazard signs in the ticket windows in the base area and at the bottom of the chairlifts. You can reduce the risk of this type of accident by adhering to the following practices:

  • Stay on groomed trails during times of deep snow.
  • Ski or ride with a partner in sight and within earshot at all times.
  • Ski or ride one at a time through tree terrain.
  • If you separate from your partner, immediately contact ski patrol (360-663-3064) with your partner's last seen location.

For more information: deepsnowsafety.org
DESIGNATED EXIT POINTS

There are nine exit points along the Crystal Mountain Resort boundary. These exit points are labeled E1-E8 on the trail map and on the mountain. All backcountry users who leave the ski area boundary must observe the signage and exit through one of these exit points. You may contact ski patrol with any questions.

KEMPERS PERMANENT CLOSURE

A permanent boundary closure exists for the “Kemper’s” avalanche path, which lies entirely within the designated wilderness of Mount Rainier National Park. This localized closure applies to all users, and is authorized and supported by the U.S. Forest Service and Mount Rainier National Park. Violators of this policy—whether or not in possession of a lift ticket—will lose skiing privileges at Crystal Mountain for at least one year.

BEYOND THE SKI AREA BOUNDARY

if you leave the ski area boundary, you accept complete responsibility for your safety. Crystal Mountain recommends back country travelers carry the following:
  • Proper avalanche education
  • Proper avalanche equipment
  • knowledge to use it (probe, shovel & beacon)
  • Back country travel knowledge and experience
  • Knowledge of local conditions including weather and snow pack history

Entering closed areas within the ski area boundary is strictly prohibited.
WASHINGTON STATE LAW

Washington State Skiers’ Responsibility Code, R.C.W.79A.45 relates to the duties of operators and users of commercial ski areas. Excerpts from the act include, but are not limited to, the following:

R.C.W.79A.45 030(1)- “In addition to the specific requirements of this section, all skiers shall conduct themselves within the limits of their individual ability and shall not act in a manner that may contribute to the injury of themselves or any other person.

R.C.W.79A.45.030.(7)- “Any person skiing outside the confines of trails open for skiing or runs open for skiing within the ski area boundary shall be responsible for any injuries or losses resulting from his or her action.”

Read the full Chapter: Chapter 79A.45
ski touring at Crystal Mountain
Uphill Travel

Info about Uphill Travel at Crystal.
Ski Patroller and skier
Avalanche Safety

Knowledge can keep you safe.
2015-12-16_CM_Darwin-in-action_Web-Assets.jpg
Avalanche Rescue

An amazing team of patrollers and dogs.