We spent last weekend at Crystal Mountain Resort, and we picked up a few tips from the staff to help you manage the crazy crowds during MLK weekend. 1.) Set the alarm: If you plan to take advantage of the upcoming three-day weekend, know it will be busy. Prepare yourself for optimal fun by getting to the mountain either 30 minutes before it opens or one hour after. The 5 to 10 minutes as......

The snow is here, and people are already missing on Crystal Mountain. They apparently hit the backcountry (seems way to early to be doing that, we think), and by all accounts were properly equipped, including avalanche beacons. But shit can go sideways in the backcountry, and "properly equipped" is most relevant if you really know how to use that stuff. We're hoping those lost folks do, and are found any second now. Should you be......

A friend just emailed Seattlest, gushing with glee that our season's passes to the Summit (Alpental, really) grant us 5 free days of skiing at Crystal Mountain. We'd already written about how the ownership of the Summit by Boyne Mountain (who also owns Crystal Mt.) might be a good thing for mountain bikers. So it sounded like it was already working out for those of us that go mostly to Alpental (due to sheer proximity,......

Our own Madame Hooky divines whether it's worth calling in sick Friday and heading for the slopes. She'll conjure your excuse and tell you where to go. Do you know where you are? You're in the Convergence Zone, baby. The past month had brought a solemn hooky hiatus upon the region, but mother nature is back and she will bring you to your knees, your na-na-na-na-na knees, knees! (Sorry, I'm still reeling from the Buttrock......

This past weekend, while up at Crystal Mountain, we stayed at a friend's cabin about 20 minutes north of the mountain. It is a quaint, rustic setting: no TV, summer-camp style bunk-beds, ever-cozy thanks to a big wooden fireplace and stove. And bats. Well, one bat, to be precise. Our friendly echolocator only made a couple flitting appearances, and we made no efforts to run him out. Given the number of mice we end up......

We may not have broken the 33-day rain record (though we got some props for sheer volume), but over the past week the temps have been dropping, turning our current non-record-breaking Seattle rain into mountain snow. We only whine about the rain when it isn't making snow up top, so now that the season has finally hit, we'll shut up and slap on the sticks. The weather service released a heavy snow warning for the......

Seattlest loves it when winter arrives with a flourish. Just mere weeks ago we were riding our bike either up at the Whistler bike park, or at favorite local spots like Tiger Mountain or numerous trails out off Hwy 410. In fact, barely over one month after a fantastic ride out at the Palisades trail not far from Crystal Mountain, those trails are already covered in snow. This morning while driving to work, we revelled......

Like most northwestern snow lovers this winter, Seattlest spent the season glancing longingly at our skis and snowboards hanging in the garage, sighing as we turned off the light and closed the door on the worst season in at least 25 years. Our Big S Pass did time as a coaster while we drowned our sorrows in Snow Cap ale. But there’s hope at the end of the dry Snoqualmie snow tunnel. The mighty Summit......

Despite some snow over the weekend local ski conditions are "spring-like" at best and many area lifts remain stationary. Check websites or call before leaving the city if you're counting on chair lifts. Be aware of what the conditions are like in the area before hiking up. Stevens Pass is closed. Snoqualmie is closed, despite 10" since Friday. They did hold Mudstock over the weekend and have a letter to pass holders up here.......