Crystal Mountain Becomes Alterra

[Dromond]

I don't have an MBA and I didn't stay in a holiday inn last night... but I do analyze things for a living, and it seems like almost everything Alterra does is bass-ackwards.

Bringing the tent back would make sense but I'm sure they'll put it in a place that creates another choke point for foot traffic.

The amount of indoor seating in the new lodge is hilariously tiny - there aren’t even coat hooks - and all the outdoor seating gets snowed on. The place is packed by 11am in November. It’s obvious that everyone in the region has an ikon pass this year and the place is going to get crushed. They should definitely bring back the tent.

On the plus side, the lifts have been running smoothly, there was some good weather and solid skiing.

[BaseFloopy]

Anyone know the cause of the backup this morning? We turned around just before CRR after sitting still for a while.

[XavierD]

I heard they didn’t start plowing the blvd until after or around 7:00am. Wouldn’t be the first time - but everyone and there mom decided to go skiing today. Skiing was above decent after what felt like 2 hours from green water to the lots - south was good heavy pow over a smooth crust.

I would love to know who briefed a plan to spend a ton of money and two years of construction to reduce overall lodge capacity while adding a gift shop.

Unfortunately I think a bad season last year hid that full crystal access really shouldn’t be included in ikon. This year they probably should consider reducing daily parking tickets and/or start charging everyone more for them. Some lots were packed beyond capacity today.

[puma]

Yeah, I did not see any accidents or reasons for the slowness other than a shit ton of people headed up. Slowness started at Enumclaw for me, started moving about 3 or 4 miles out, then was REAL slow from Greenwater. They were stopping people at the curve to let it clear out on the way up, not sure if that's new. I picked the wrong day to head up a bit late, that's for sure.

Nice conditions though, and lines were not ridiculous up until mid-day, when I left. The line headed up, basically stopped, was impressively long. I'd say 75% of the way back to the turn.

[S_jenks]

They were stopping people at the curve to let it clear out on the way up, not sure if that's new. I picked the wrong day to head up a bit late, that's for sure.

The inside word is that they are trying this approach out to keep the blvd clear and running smooth. Publicly they will claim its to maintain access for emergency vehicles.

[BaseFloopy]

Thanks guys, good insights. Looks like we made the right choice to bail on the eleven mile backup just to get to the bottom of the Blvd
Now I need to devise a clever plan to get my teenagers out of the house earlier, at least until more ski areas are open.

[S_jenks]

Thanks guys, good insights. Looks like we made the right choice to bail on the eleven mile backup just to get to the bottom of the Blvd
Now I need to devise a clever plan to get my teenagers out of the house earlier, at least until more ski areas are open.

Set a departure time, and if they fail to wake in time leave them at home. They will learn quickly.

[eSock]

The level of incompetence at all points in the experience except the actual skiing was unbelievable at Crystal today. It was a crawl starting almost 9 miles from the turn, never let up at any point. We thought coming late for second shift would help spread things out but we got caught in the mess as well. 4.5 hr drive from Seattle to base.

Friend that went up earlier said he turned around cuz it was stopped and ambulance/police were heading up for an accident.

Enjoyed the 90 minutes of skiing we got though!

Then another absolute shit show trying to get a shuttle back to our G lot spot when traffic was at a standstill. Ended up bailing on the shuttle after waiting 20 min to get the carpool lot.

What was the point of a reservation system when they obviously didn't limit capacity?

[S_jenks]

^ okay, now that’s an insane drive time. Also- lift issues did pop up as the clock ticked into the afternoon.

Perhaps then it’s best that Crystal breaks under the weight of this season. Alterra wont change course otherwise


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[XavierD]

The inside word is that they are trying this approach out to keep the blvd clear and running smooth. Publicly they will claim its to maintain access for emergency vehicles.

So their solution is to have traffic moving under 6mph for 7-10 miles on 410? Complete incompetence at all levels. Spent much of the morning in park on 410. It took me close to 4 hours to get up leaving around bit after 6:30 this morning.

I’d hope someone gets fired, but I doubt it. Can’t wait until it actually snows next weekend and we discover how bad it can really get. 5+ hours from seattle? Altera might figure out how to make Whistler closer to Seattle than Crystal.

[ptavv]

this same traffic nonsense happened last year on the first good weekend day of the year (in fact, I posted about it here)

things seemed to run smoother after that? I don't know what sort of instruction they give all their parking attendants during orientation that works on whiteboards but obviously not real life but eventually they do seem to figure it out (and I remember to leave earlier)

[Markeyz]

Blame canada.

[Dromond]

In good news, there is a much better supply in B-lot shutters. Also, the snow!

[greenmachine]

If you were delayed please let them know that their parking check at the blvd will not work


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[PNWbrit]

Perhaps then it’s best that Crystal breaks under the weight of this season.

Crystal has long been broken. They're just smashing the fragments into smaller pieces now.

[Stairmaster]

Crystal has long been broken. They're just smashing the fragments into smaller pieces now.

Never forget the xtal promise!

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[Fishskisurf]

Eh hard to complain about crowds when we’re all a part of it (and same overcrowding is occurring all over, wasangeles, i70 parking lot, Tahoe Tesla bumper cars) we have 3 resorts for 3 million Seattleites and the largest and closest Snoq was closed, it shouldn’t be this bad going forward, the first big pow weekend is always a clusterphuck (it does bring a tear to remember the good ole days when F lot was rarely used and the parking guarantee)

What is the biggest bummer is Alterra not being on their operations game to get people to the resort when they know the masses are coming. Someone said 7am was first plow? They should have a truck doing nonstop laps up and down the blvd from 5am on to get their employees up first and then a solid road already ready for the masses from 7am on (and frankly should also volunteer to help WSDOT on 410)

[PNWbrit]

we have 3 resorts for 3 million Seattleites and the largest and closest Snoq was closed

Huh?

[Fishskisurf]

Not sure the question Brit.
Stevens/Snoqualmie (lumping all 4 Snoq into 1) + Crystal comprise of the 3 “resort” offerings to us, within 2 hours of Seattle proper. Mission White and Baker are beyond….

Snoqualmie I’d presume by capacity (again lumping west central east and alpy) has more skiers on any given Saturday than crustal or Stevens?
Correct me if I’m wrong or not catching your question correctly.

[puma]

Someone today said an elk was hit Sunday leading to the backup.

[Ørion]

Someone today said an elk was hit Sunday leading to the backup.

Drove past the elk impact long before reaching Greenwater. There was a small backup due to it but then 30 min of clear roads before the parking lot that was the last dozen miles before the sno-park.

[jacob_dbu]

Crystal is a big resort that feels small because a large chunk of the skiable terrain requires traversing. And frankly a large chunk of that isn't worth skiing - not to mention that the snowboarders won't touch a traverse with a 10 foot pole.

I have no clue exactly what caused the backup. I heard another rumor that someone dropped a trailer and dragged it up the boulevard at 5mph on the chains. Sounds absolutely idiotic.

[Rock Knocker]

The inside word is that they are trying this approach out to keep the blvd clear and running smooth. Publicly they will claim its to maintain access for emergency vehicles.

The blvd is state property and maintained by the WADOT correct?

[puma]

Drove past the elk impact long before reaching Greenwater. There was a small backup due to it but then 30 min of clear roads before the parking lot that was the last dozen miles before the sno-park.

Right on. Hope they were ok.

In any case, I'm going to get back on the leave really early game plan. Or, win the lottery and ski midweek, as it was smooth sailing yesterday!!!!

[BaseFloopy]

Crystal has long been broken. They're just smashing the fragments into smaller pieces now.

Maybe those pieces will be ReiMaGiNeD into a beautiful mosaic.