An Update from Frank DeBerry About Spring & 21/22 Season Passes
Change is on the Horizon
March 4, 2021
The winter of 20/21 has been a different kind of season for Crystal Mountain. On the one hand we’ve had early and consistent snowfall, already more than 365” with over six weeks left still. On the other, Crystal and its guests have had to adjust to safely manage our way through the pandemic. From making reservations and mobile food ordering to wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing. If this past year has taught us anything, it has been to see things like flexibility and patience, slowing the pace down and keeping an open mind as virtues.
We have enjoyed many great days on the mountain with you this winter and we truly appreciate your loyalty, your role in helping to keep our collective community safe and, your constructive feedback. Our guests’ satisfaction has been and always will be a top priority. We feel that this winter, apart from anything else, has been our opportunity to listen to our guests more than ever.
Due to increased demand and limited capacity this winter we realize that finding time on the mountain has been more challenging than usual. With that said I am excited to announce that we will be extending the ski and snowboard season this year! We will continue to operate daily until Sunday, April 18, AND we’ll also be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until May 9th. Reservations for the extended season will open April 1st. We then need a couple of weeks to do some annual maintenance before reopening Memorial Day weekend to kick off our summer season. And if the snow sticks around, we’ll be skiing in Green Valley while loading guests on the gondola to take in the great views.
We also recognize the past two years have been different for those who have called Crystal Mountain home for decades. The Ikon Pass has been a positive addition providing our guests a good value for unlimited access to Crystal Mountain, in addition to access to other mountain destinations around the globe. But it has also created unique challenges in Washington. The Puget Sound region has experienced substantial growth over the past five years, but the number of ski resorts has not grown along with it. For Crystal the rise in demand for skiing and snowboarding has created challenges in itself, and at times has negatively affected the experience getting to and on the mountain. We’ve heard you and we are committed to providing a better guest experience.
That said, the Ikon Pass is an evolving product that has continuously evolved since its introduction in 2018 to best suit the guest experience across the variety of destinations. We at Crystal have thought long and hard about the best approach for next season. We are pleased to announce some small but significant changes for the 21/22 season:
The winter of 20/21 has been a different kind of season for Crystal Mountain. On the one hand we’ve had early and consistent snowfall, already more than 365” with over six weeks left still. On the other, Crystal and its guests have had to adjust to safely manage our way through the pandemic. From making reservations and mobile food ordering to wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing. If this past year has taught us anything, it has been to see things like flexibility and patience, slowing the pace down and keeping an open mind as virtues.
We have enjoyed many great days on the mountain with you this winter and we truly appreciate your loyalty, your role in helping to keep our collective community safe and, your constructive feedback. Our guests’ satisfaction has been and always will be a top priority. We feel that this winter, apart from anything else, has been our opportunity to listen to our guests more than ever.
Due to increased demand and limited capacity this winter we realize that finding time on the mountain has been more challenging than usual. With that said I am excited to announce that we will be extending the ski and snowboard season this year! We will continue to operate daily until Sunday, April 18, AND we’ll also be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until May 9th. Reservations for the extended season will open April 1st. We then need a couple of weeks to do some annual maintenance before reopening Memorial Day weekend to kick off our summer season. And if the snow sticks around, we’ll be skiing in Green Valley while loading guests on the gondola to take in the great views.
We also recognize the past two years have been different for those who have called Crystal Mountain home for decades. The Ikon Pass has been a positive addition providing our guests a good value for unlimited access to Crystal Mountain, in addition to access to other mountain destinations around the globe. But it has also created unique challenges in Washington. The Puget Sound region has experienced substantial growth over the past five years, but the number of ski resorts has not grown along with it. For Crystal the rise in demand for skiing and snowboarding has created challenges in itself, and at times has negatively affected the experience getting to and on the mountain. We’ve heard you and we are committed to providing a better guest experience.
That said, the Ikon Pass is an evolving product that has continuously evolved since its introduction in 2018 to best suit the guest experience across the variety of destinations. We at Crystal have thought long and hard about the best approach for next season. We are pleased to announce some small but significant changes for the 21/22 season:
- The Ikon Base Pass will be limited to a maximum of 5 visits with holiday blackout dates at Crystal.
- The Ikon Pass will continue to offer unlimited access to Crystal Mountain.
- Both passes will also offer access to 44 destinations across the globe including Crystal Mountain.
- Both passes will continue to offer free Adventure Assurance.
- Crystal will continue to offer local season pass products from the Local Hero to the Hall Pass providing superior value for access midweek and weekends during the 2022 spring season.
- Reservations have been necessary this season for us to control our capacity in the interest of safety protocols, but we will no longer require reservations to access the mountain next season.
- We will continue to control the volume of daily ticket sales with advance purchase online – this too will serve to support a better guest experience
I am personally committed to improving and maintaining a positive guest experience on and off the mountain and I believe these changes will move us in the right direction. This new approach with Ikon Passes will reduce the number of people accessing the mountain on peak days. And at the same time, we are actively studying fundamental improvements to the transportation and parking processes with a similar philosophy of improving the Crystal experience.
We also have some exciting new summer additions to share with you, and we’ve been working hard on a capital improvement plan including some significant investments that will continue to improve and enhance the guest experience. Starting with a new Skier Services building in the base area which was put on hold last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We’re ready to get back on track and are exited to share more details on both fronts as plans are finalized.
Your feedback and support will always be something I take great priority in listening and responding to. As we move forward, I will continue to listen and provide transparent updates to our community of passionate skiers, riders and outdoor enthusiasts.
We’ve got a lot of season ahead of us still and I look forward to seeing you out on the mountain!
Many thanks,
Frank DeBerry
President & COO rich-text, responsive-table
We also have some exciting new summer additions to share with you, and we’ve been working hard on a capital improvement plan including some significant investments that will continue to improve and enhance the guest experience. Starting with a new Skier Services building in the base area which was put on hold last summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We’re ready to get back on track and are exited to share more details on both fronts as plans are finalized.
Your feedback and support will always be something I take great priority in listening and responding to. As we move forward, I will continue to listen and provide transparent updates to our community of passionate skiers, riders and outdoor enthusiasts.
We’ve got a lot of season ahead of us still and I look forward to seeing you out on the mountain!
Many thanks,
Frank DeBerry
President & COO rich-text, responsive-table