Seattlest: Five Things To Remember Before You Go To The Mountain

pffft

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:56:23 -0800

@bigyaz - i have a job. a 9-5 M-F job. so i'm not sure what your point is. if you really can't ever get a weekday off then i am truly sorry. i didn't mean to offend you. but there are ways to do it if you have imagination and really love to ski. also - i didn't say don't ski on weekends, i just said don't go to Crystal on a busy weekend. ther are other, less crowded spots to go on busy weekends. smart-ass. :)

polyrhythmic

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:46:07 -0800

Tera: Northway is ALL black to double black runs, and may require a little hiking. That being said, I went last Sunday (which was extremely busy as noted in the article) and the Northway lift had almost no line. Now that the secret's out this may change, but the powder is beautiful out there and the runs are long and huge --- that lift services 1800 ft. of vertical! Some advice to those going out (See Crystal Mtn Trail Map for reference): Note where the cliffs are down Penny Dawg's, if you get stuck near them head far skiers left or right, there's a way down. Also, cut over skier's right before you hit Lower Northway or you'll end up on the road, far from a lift. Make sure to keep your speed up towards the lift, it's raised 10ft. which is no fun if you're on a snowboard. It's worth the hike from Northway Peak to the top of Glory Days if you want the best runs, IMO. Have fun, be safe! It is more dangerous out there so use the buddy system, please. Charles

Courtney

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:43:36 -0800

Yep. There's some serious cliffbands you need to negotiate (around, not over thank you), steep chutes and a higher risk of ending up in a tree well full of deep snow. It's the quintessential "always ski/board with a friend" terrain, even though it is now technically inbounds. Until they put the new lift in, it was hike-only backcountry. Now, riding over there feels like cheating. In the sense that at least for a while, while the thrill is new, cheating feels really, really good.

Tera

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:48:49 -0800

Courtney: Northway is mostly black to double black diamond runs, right?

Courtney

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:54:34 -0800

Two more things: 1. If you have a PLUS S-Pass from Snoqualmie, you're blacked out on your free 5 Crystal tickets this weekend. 2. Should you have the skill level, just make your way over to the new Northway lift and never leave the area. I had one of my best days on skis there the Sunday that the Hawks played Washington (no crowds! untracked powder everywhere!) and even though the next day was craaaay busy, there was still practically no lines at the bottom of Northway. But, you must know what you're doing over there...

Tera

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:45:39 -0800

Yes, Crystal does have some of the worst lines EVER but it's so tough to get to the mountain on weekdays. The great powder and smooth runs(especially Mr. Magoo) are what keep me going back.

bigyaz

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:45:05 -0800

What a great solution, pffft! Wonder why the people with jobs never thought of that.

jdavin

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:39:16 -0800

3 day weekend? People actually get MLK day off? Wow. Anyway, good to know, I hate lines (and Crystal seems to have some of the worst).

pffft

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:15:54 -0800

OR - don't go to Crystal on a busy weekend. I went last Sunday - great weather, craaaaaaaappy lines. Go on a non-holiday weekday. Spare yourself the hours sitting in line.