Gear Up for the 2026–2027 Winter Season with Exciting Improvements to Help Guests of All Abilities Make Crystal Their Mountain and Their Tradition.
What's New At Crystal Mountain: 26/27 Winter Edition
WHAT’S NEW FOR WINTER 26/27
Crystal Mountain gears up for the 2026–2027 winter season with exciting improvements and new offerings
The largest ski resort in Washington state heads into the 2026-27 winter season with a range of on-mountain improvements. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is adding new promotions, expanded offerings, new ways to get into the sport, snowmaking upgrades, and a new winter trail.
Ski & Ride School
As part of Crystal Mountain’s Learn to Ski initiative, Ski & Ride School is introducing a new progression pathway for those new to skiing and riding this season. For $699, the Beginner Progression Pass includes three days of lessons, rentals, and lift access. Skiers and snowboarders who complete all three lessons receive a Crystal Anytime season pass for the rest of winter, so they can keep building foundational skills and explore Crystal Mountain’s world-class terrain.
New this season, the Kids Learning Center is offering a transferable Kids 6-Lesson Bundle. Families can save money and get more scheduling flexibility throughout the season with the bundle.
Night Skiing
Extended night skiing returns this season starting Dec. 26 with a full week over the holidays, and until 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, expected through March 14.
New night skiing improvements include new LED lighting on Gold Hills and expanded offerings atFireside, such as s’mores kits for the fire pit, a new beverage menu, and DJ parties every Friday and Saturday night.Night skiing access is available with a day or afternoon lift ticket and all Crystal and Ikon season passes. Guests can make the most of night skiing with the Coke Ride & Dine offer, which includes an afternoon ticket and a $20 meal voucher for $80.
New this season, kids 12 years and younger ski free every Thursday and Friday during night skiing with the afternoon ticket, valid from 1 p.m. The offer gives families easier ways to get on the mountain together.
Crystal Mountain also has a newly lit run off Gold Hills: Lauba’s Lane. Formerly known as “Jump Hill,” the slope has been improved with selective brush and tree clearing, new grading, and new night lighting. The run was named to honor Alan Lauba, a former member of the U.S. Ski Team and director emeritus of the Crystal Mountain Alpine Club. Lauba retired last spring after 38 years with the club and left a lasting mark on the ski racing program and generations of athletes.
Promotions
The Crystal Military Pass, offered to active-duty and retired military members and their spouses and dependents, is now also available to veterans. The pass offers season-long access with no blackout dates at a steep discount.
$62 Tuesdays are back this season, with $62 lift tickets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Kids Ski Free Week returns Dec. 12-18 and includes all-day lift access for kids 12 years and younger, plus 50% off kids’ lessons and rentals.
The Ride to Win contest returns with bigger prizes and more ways to win. Skiers and riders can track their days on the Ikon Pass app to improve their chances. Details will be announced soon.
Along with the return of the Berm Brawl Banked Slalom for snowboarders, Crystal Mountain will host Slushhammer in late spring, a new skier-only banked slalom race in Green Valley.
Food and Beverage
Crystal Mountain’s partnership with Seattle-area favorite Macrina Bakery continues this season with delivered artisan pastries, and expands to the resort’s pizza dough, buns and breads. Brew 62 has new indoor seating and has added new beverage options, including beer, Bloody Marys, mimosas, and espresso martinis.
The Summit House will offer an updated craft cocktail menu with seasonal themes and winter classics, along with wine specials year-round.
Brown-Bag Policy
Crystal Mountain has expanded its brown-bag policy this season. Guests may bring their own food to Rafters Warming Loft Monday through Wednesday and to Bootpack Bar daily before 10:45 a.m., when food service begins. Brown-bag meals are welcome all day inside Midway Yurt, Tower 16 and Quickstop Yurt, as well as on all outdoor patios, including the Mountain Common Lodge upper and lower patios and Fireside.
The Crystal Mountain Alpine Club has rented a new yurt beneath the gondola line and will provide seating for athletes and families, helping ease seating demand on the resort’s busiest days.
Workforce Housing Investments
Crystal Mountain continues to invest in workforce housing to better support seasonal employees providing the guest experience. The resort has completed extensive renovations at Northway Notch, its newly acquired property in Enumclaw, to improve building integrity and employee living spaces. Crystal Mountain is also leasing the Rainier Chalet apartments in Enumclaw, adding 96 new beds for employees and providing transportation from both sites to the mountain.
On the Mountain
As part of its ongoing investment in snowmaking, Crystal Mountain has developed more efficient water use and planning methods and invested in drone lidar technology. This winter, the resort will also utilize Snomax technology, a natural, environmentally safe snowmaking additive. Snomax improves efficiency and snow production, reduces energy use, and allows snowmaking across a wider range of temperatures. These investments will support more consistent early-season coverage and help maintain quality snow conditions throughout the winter.
Trail maintenance includes culvert replacement and improved grading on Lower Arwine’s, along with thinning, limbing, and brush cutting on Lower Exterminator, Middle Arwine’s, and the Lewis Lane area. The work improves the terrain and supports ongoing fuel-reduction efforts.
Lift maintenance across the mountain includes rope splicing on the new Rainier Express, a new haul rope on Gold Hills, and rebuilt gearboxes on Forest Queen Express and Quicksilver.
Other major investments include a new HVAC system and insulation at the Summit House and improvements to sewer system infrastructure at the base area.
Rentals and Retail
Crystal Mountain is rolling out major rental fleet upgrades this winter, including a huge refresh of beginner gear, a 25% larger performance snowboard fleet and more than 70 new models added to the demo fleet.
At Crystal Mountain Outfitters, guests will find new technical outerwear and gloves from leading brands, an exclusive 686 x Crystal Mountain riding hoodie, an expanded line of Crystal logo merchandise, and new Crystal Mountain gift boxes. rich-text, responsive-table
Crystal Mountain gears up for the 2026–2027 winter season with exciting improvements and new offerings
The largest ski resort in Washington state heads into the 2026-27 winter season with a range of on-mountain improvements. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is adding new promotions, expanded offerings, new ways to get into the sport, snowmaking upgrades, and a new winter trail.
Ski & Ride School
As part of Crystal Mountain’s Learn to Ski initiative, Ski & Ride School is introducing a new progression pathway for those new to skiing and riding this season. For $699, the Beginner Progression Pass includes three days of lessons, rentals, and lift access. Skiers and snowboarders who complete all three lessons receive a Crystal Anytime season pass for the rest of winter, so they can keep building foundational skills and explore Crystal Mountain’s world-class terrain.
New this season, the Kids Learning Center is offering a transferable Kids 6-Lesson Bundle. Families can save money and get more scheduling flexibility throughout the season with the bundle.
Night Skiing
Extended night skiing returns this season starting Dec. 26 with a full week over the holidays, and until 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, expected through March 14.
New night skiing improvements include new LED lighting on Gold Hills and expanded offerings atFireside, such as s’mores kits for the fire pit, a new beverage menu, and DJ parties every Friday and Saturday night.Night skiing access is available with a day or afternoon lift ticket and all Crystal and Ikon season passes. Guests can make the most of night skiing with the Coke Ride & Dine offer, which includes an afternoon ticket and a $20 meal voucher for $80.
New this season, kids 12 years and younger ski free every Thursday and Friday during night skiing with the afternoon ticket, valid from 1 p.m. The offer gives families easier ways to get on the mountain together.
Crystal Mountain also has a newly lit run off Gold Hills: Lauba’s Lane. Formerly known as “Jump Hill,” the slope has been improved with selective brush and tree clearing, new grading, and new night lighting. The run was named to honor Alan Lauba, a former member of the U.S. Ski Team and director emeritus of the Crystal Mountain Alpine Club. Lauba retired last spring after 38 years with the club and left a lasting mark on the ski racing program and generations of athletes.
Promotions
The Crystal Military Pass, offered to active-duty and retired military members and their spouses and dependents, is now also available to veterans. The pass offers season-long access with no blackout dates at a steep discount.
$62 Tuesdays are back this season, with $62 lift tickets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Kids Ski Free Week returns Dec. 12-18 and includes all-day lift access for kids 12 years and younger, plus 50% off kids’ lessons and rentals.
The Ride to Win contest returns with bigger prizes and more ways to win. Skiers and riders can track their days on the Ikon Pass app to improve their chances. Details will be announced soon.
Along with the return of the Berm Brawl Banked Slalom for snowboarders, Crystal Mountain will host Slushhammer in late spring, a new skier-only banked slalom race in Green Valley.
Food and Beverage
Crystal Mountain’s partnership with Seattle-area favorite Macrina Bakery continues this season with delivered artisan pastries, and expands to the resort’s pizza dough, buns and breads. Brew 62 has new indoor seating and has added new beverage options, including beer, Bloody Marys, mimosas, and espresso martinis.
The Summit House will offer an updated craft cocktail menu with seasonal themes and winter classics, along with wine specials year-round.
Brown-Bag Policy
Crystal Mountain has expanded its brown-bag policy this season. Guests may bring their own food to Rafters Warming Loft Monday through Wednesday and to Bootpack Bar daily before 10:45 a.m., when food service begins. Brown-bag meals are welcome all day inside Midway Yurt, Tower 16 and Quickstop Yurt, as well as on all outdoor patios, including the Mountain Common Lodge upper and lower patios and Fireside.
The Crystal Mountain Alpine Club has rented a new yurt beneath the gondola line and will provide seating for athletes and families, helping ease seating demand on the resort’s busiest days.
Workforce Housing Investments
Crystal Mountain continues to invest in workforce housing to better support seasonal employees providing the guest experience. The resort has completed extensive renovations at Northway Notch, its newly acquired property in Enumclaw, to improve building integrity and employee living spaces. Crystal Mountain is also leasing the Rainier Chalet apartments in Enumclaw, adding 96 new beds for employees and providing transportation from both sites to the mountain.
On the Mountain
As part of its ongoing investment in snowmaking, Crystal Mountain has developed more efficient water use and planning methods and invested in drone lidar technology. This winter, the resort will also utilize Snomax technology, a natural, environmentally safe snowmaking additive. Snomax improves efficiency and snow production, reduces energy use, and allows snowmaking across a wider range of temperatures. These investments will support more consistent early-season coverage and help maintain quality snow conditions throughout the winter.
Trail maintenance includes culvert replacement and improved grading on Lower Arwine’s, along with thinning, limbing, and brush cutting on Lower Exterminator, Middle Arwine’s, and the Lewis Lane area. The work improves the terrain and supports ongoing fuel-reduction efforts.
Lift maintenance across the mountain includes rope splicing on the new Rainier Express, a new haul rope on Gold Hills, and rebuilt gearboxes on Forest Queen Express and Quicksilver.
Other major investments include a new HVAC system and insulation at the Summit House and improvements to sewer system infrastructure at the base area.
Rentals and Retail
Crystal Mountain is rolling out major rental fleet upgrades this winter, including a huge refresh of beginner gear, a 25% larger performance snowboard fleet and more than 70 new models added to the demo fleet.
At Crystal Mountain Outfitters, guests will find new technical outerwear and gloves from leading brands, an exclusive 686 x Crystal Mountain riding hoodie, an expanded line of Crystal logo merchandise, and new Crystal Mountain gift boxes. rich-text, responsive-table