News about Operations for 20/21
Community Letter About The 20-21 Winter Season
September 14, 2020
In all of my time in the ski industry, I never imagined writing a pre-season message to our community like this one.
Since we suspended winter operations in March, we’ve all faced challenges that we never could have anticipated. As a society, it’s seemed like we’re struggling with forces beyond our control. We’ve learned on the fly and in the fray, coming together as neighbors, dealing with trying times and, for many in our community, finding peace in the mountains and the outdoors.
Thinking about ski season feels secondary to what we’re fighting through daily. Yet we all know the power of a storm, the joy of a turn, the uplift of staring up at Mt. Rainier. For our community, it’s what drives us, defines us and bonds us together. It brings us to a better place. It heals us. And it is in this spirit that we have been working tirelessly to plan another PNW winter of skiing and snowboarding, with a targeted opening around Thanksgiving.
The first thing I’ll say is the obvious, that this winter will look different at our mountain. We’re all seeking more of the normal, more like before—and making turns up here will deliver that stability underfoot. Yet we all have a greater responsibility right now to each other so we’re asking our community to pull together with patience and flexibility—so we can all ski and ride safely this winter.
We were honored and encouraged by how the Crystal community did just that for slush week in June—sticking to the new rules and jumping through a few more hoops, yet still having a blast. It gave us all a preview of what is to come.
We’ve also learned from our successful summer season, where our driving focus was being able to welcome guests to the mountain while working to keep both our employees and community safe. In doing so, we’ve streamlined a lot on the operational side and also brainstormed new creative ways to enjoy the mountains.
Carrying forward that dedicated and creative effort, our teams have evaluated the big-and-small details about what skiing and riding will look like at Crystal this winter. We’ve planned for more outdoor seating areas and dining options, marked out new trails allowing you to ski back to your car, created shuttle express lanes and expanded wifi coverage in our parking lots and on the mountain. We will also continue sanitizing the gondola regularly. Riding the gondola with skiers or snowboarders you haven’t yet met will have to wait however we have not yet finalized any plan around chairlift capacities and are still working together with the State on this, but in order to do our part, we do expect to operate lifts at lower density than usual.
Tactically, creating space and masking up will be the primary focus. We will continue to double down on our cleaning procedures and keep a sharp eye on operating capacities.
We will be encouraging as much midweek skiing and riding as your new, more flexible schedule may allow. We’re really excited to introduce a number of new mid-week season passes and multi-day options this winter—from the co-parenting Hall Pass to the Local Hero Pass —so that you can do your part and get more turns. New product details will be announced soon so stay tuned.
On days where we expect to reach what will likely be a reduced capacity on-mountain this winter, Ikon Pass and local season pass holders will be our first priority. After all - you committed to us, and it just seems right that we do the same for you! We will tightly regulate the number of daily lift tickets that will be available by advance purchase only. To this end, walk-up window sales will be temporarily eliminated, and the sale of all undated lift ticket products will be discontinued until further notice. We’ll also be opening a little earlier on weekends and offering new ticket options for later arrivals to take advantage of extended hours on weekends and holidays to help maximize your time on the slopes this winter.
Our lodges will have limited seating and we’re excited to offer several new options to purchase food (and beverages) outdoors and on the go. Food and drinks can be ordered through mobile-app purchase, and table reservations, required for indoor seating, can also be made online. I have a feeling you’ll find me enjoying fish ‘n’ chips from the new Southback Fish Shack by the fire outside at Campbell Basin more often than I’d like to admit!
We know this is a lot. And, we’ll be honest—it will take a bit more planning on your end to be prepared for how it will all work. The theme this winter will be ‘Know Before you Go’ and in the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more details so you can be ready to embrace the changes that are necessary this winter
It’s not going to be the most normal season but, as true Cascadians, when things get complicated, we go skiing and riding! We’ve all got to be patient and courteous, even on a powder day. It will be the winter to slow down, to space out and to acknowledge how lucky we are to have this place to share.
By the way we’re also building a team of outdoor enthusiasts to help us deliver a great experience this winter, so if you’re interested in joining our team we encourage you to check out our employment opportunities.
As we’re starting to feel the crisp morning air up here, we know the storms will hit, we know the snow will fall and we know that we will be skiing and riding on our mountain this winter. We can’t wait to welcome you back and to feel those first beautiful turns of the year.
Think Snow,
Frank DeBerry
President & COO
Crystal Mountain
rich-text, responsive-table
In all of my time in the ski industry, I never imagined writing a pre-season message to our community like this one.
Since we suspended winter operations in March, we’ve all faced challenges that we never could have anticipated. As a society, it’s seemed like we’re struggling with forces beyond our control. We’ve learned on the fly and in the fray, coming together as neighbors, dealing with trying times and, for many in our community, finding peace in the mountains and the outdoors.
Thinking about ski season feels secondary to what we’re fighting through daily. Yet we all know the power of a storm, the joy of a turn, the uplift of staring up at Mt. Rainier. For our community, it’s what drives us, defines us and bonds us together. It brings us to a better place. It heals us. And it is in this spirit that we have been working tirelessly to plan another PNW winter of skiing and snowboarding, with a targeted opening around Thanksgiving.
The first thing I’ll say is the obvious, that this winter will look different at our mountain. We’re all seeking more of the normal, more like before—and making turns up here will deliver that stability underfoot. Yet we all have a greater responsibility right now to each other so we’re asking our community to pull together with patience and flexibility—so we can all ski and ride safely this winter.
We were honored and encouraged by how the Crystal community did just that for slush week in June—sticking to the new rules and jumping through a few more hoops, yet still having a blast. It gave us all a preview of what is to come.
We’ve also learned from our successful summer season, where our driving focus was being able to welcome guests to the mountain while working to keep both our employees and community safe. In doing so, we’ve streamlined a lot on the operational side and also brainstormed new creative ways to enjoy the mountains.
Carrying forward that dedicated and creative effort, our teams have evaluated the big-and-small details about what skiing and riding will look like at Crystal this winter. We’ve planned for more outdoor seating areas and dining options, marked out new trails allowing you to ski back to your car, created shuttle express lanes and expanded wifi coverage in our parking lots and on the mountain. We will also continue sanitizing the gondola regularly. Riding the gondola with skiers or snowboarders you haven’t yet met will have to wait however we have not yet finalized any plan around chairlift capacities and are still working together with the State on this, but in order to do our part, we do expect to operate lifts at lower density than usual.
Tactically, creating space and masking up will be the primary focus. We will continue to double down on our cleaning procedures and keep a sharp eye on operating capacities.
We will be encouraging as much midweek skiing and riding as your new, more flexible schedule may allow. We’re really excited to introduce a number of new mid-week season passes and multi-day options this winter—from the co-parenting Hall Pass to the Local Hero Pass —so that you can do your part and get more turns. New product details will be announced soon so stay tuned.
On days where we expect to reach what will likely be a reduced capacity on-mountain this winter, Ikon Pass and local season pass holders will be our first priority. After all - you committed to us, and it just seems right that we do the same for you! We will tightly regulate the number of daily lift tickets that will be available by advance purchase only. To this end, walk-up window sales will be temporarily eliminated, and the sale of all undated lift ticket products will be discontinued until further notice. We’ll also be opening a little earlier on weekends and offering new ticket options for later arrivals to take advantage of extended hours on weekends and holidays to help maximize your time on the slopes this winter.
Our lodges will have limited seating and we’re excited to offer several new options to purchase food (and beverages) outdoors and on the go. Food and drinks can be ordered through mobile-app purchase, and table reservations, required for indoor seating, can also be made online. I have a feeling you’ll find me enjoying fish ‘n’ chips from the new Southback Fish Shack by the fire outside at Campbell Basin more often than I’d like to admit!
We know this is a lot. And, we’ll be honest—it will take a bit more planning on your end to be prepared for how it will all work. The theme this winter will be ‘Know Before you Go’ and in the coming weeks we’ll be sharing more details so you can be ready to embrace the changes that are necessary this winter
It’s not going to be the most normal season but, as true Cascadians, when things get complicated, we go skiing and riding! We’ve all got to be patient and courteous, even on a powder day. It will be the winter to slow down, to space out and to acknowledge how lucky we are to have this place to share.
By the way we’re also building a team of outdoor enthusiasts to help us deliver a great experience this winter, so if you’re interested in joining our team we encourage you to check out our employment opportunities.
As we’re starting to feel the crisp morning air up here, we know the storms will hit, we know the snow will fall and we know that we will be skiing and riding on our mountain this winter. We can’t wait to welcome you back and to feel those first beautiful turns of the year.
Think Snow,
Frank DeBerry
President & COO
Crystal Mountain
rich-text, responsive-table