Crystal Mountain expansion approved by Forest Service

[Schmear]

Interesting times ahead for Crystal Mountain....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...crystal15.html

Forest service OKs ski-area expansion
By The Associated Press
Sunday, August 15, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 A.M.

Crystal Mountain's ski area has won U.S. Forest Service approval for a multimillion-dollar expansion that would add a high-speed chairlift and an aerial tramway to a summit restaurant, according to The Olympian newspaper.

Construction could begin next summer depending on revenues and whether anyone challenges the plan, Crystal spokeswoman Stacy Schuster said.

An appeal filed within 45 days would slow the project, which has taken six years to get through planning and environmental review, Schuster said.

Crystal Mountain is located on U.S. Forest Service land near Mount Rainier National Park.

The agency worked with the ski area, the Muckleshoot Tribe and other parties to come up with a plan that protects the environment while improving the ski area, said John Phipps, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest supervisor.

"The ski area didn't get everything it was looking for," Phipps said. "But at this point, they want to move forward."

The Crystal Conservation Coalition has opposed the project for years, citing concerns about development, harm to wildlife habitat and traffic congestion.

[fubar]

How long have they been fighting for this expansion?!?! I know they submitted an environmental study last year or the year before in which they spent bucks on.

The only negative in this scenerio is some of Crystal's BC will now be accessable via chairlift directly, which means less freshies for us, and more fartbags in paradise bowl... for that matter does it say where they are going to expand exaclty?

Wow, this is very big news, thanks for sharing. I'll pass the word to those non-TGR types.

Peace.

[AKPogue]

Does that mean there is going to be a chairlift to the top of the King? I patrolled there a few years back and I don't think there was single patroller who wanted to have chairlift to the top.

[fubar]

Originally posted by AKPogue
Does that mean there is going to be a chairlift to the top of the King? I patrolled there a few years back and I don't think there was single patroller who wanted to have chairlift to the top.

Nope, from what I understand the "tram" will go from the base to the top of Green Valley, and the new high speed will be over in North Back... basically bellow Paradise, down where the trail splits, up to the top of North Way Peak.

[karma]

It is very likely that the northback lift will NOT be high speed. Word is a double chairlift. Also NO chair to the top of the King.

Hey AKpogue when did you last patrol at Crystal, Im curious who you are.
You don't by chance own G4's with Fritchis do ya?

[Schmear]

Sent an e-mail to my contact (director of planning) at Crystal this morning. I'll post more when I get solid info. The news article states that Crystal didn't get everything it wanted, which was expected, but the tram and expanded summit restaurant are pretty big wins I'd say, considering that much of the argument against both was sight polution from MRNP.

Edit: Interesting that as of Sunday afternoon, neither Crystal Mountain nor the Forest Service nor the Crystal Coalition have any info regarding the expansion approval on their Web sites. Makes one wonder how accurate that AP article is, or if the info was leaked to the press. We'll see I guess.

[splat]

More trams, bigger mountains - that should be the credo of the resorts and the forest circus.

[girlski0912]

Any other Crystal locals as bothered by this news as I am. Having grown up in a resort town, I loathe the consequences of expansion similar to what Crystal is potentially undergoing. The charm about Crystal is that it is a local's mountain. Washington really isn't a ski destination area, and quite frankly there is nothing wrong with that. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Crystal gross more annual income than any of the other hills? So why expand and ruin the vibe that makes Crystal so fucking cool????? GAH!!!!!!!!!

[Mcwop]

Originally posted by girlski0912
Any other Crystal locals as bothered by this news as I am. Having grown up in a resort town, I loathe the consequences of expansion similar to what Crystal is potentially undergoing. The charm about Crystal is that it is a local's mountain. Washington really isn't a ski destination area, and quite frankly there is nothing wrong with that. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Crystal gross more annual income than any of the other hills? So why expand and ruin the vibe that makes Crystal so fucking cool????? GAH!!!!!!!!!

It is a ski destination for me, but that is because it isn't a ski "destination" My two best powder days ever were at Crystal. Tram WTF? The chairlifts work just fine thank you, and the hiking is nice.

[PeachesN'Cream]

damn that's bad news.

i can't call crystal home yet, but it hurts to know that the small hill vibe and BC access could be killed in hopes of bringing more coin in from the blue square croud.

i realize that you gotta do what you gotta do in business, but damn, is a tram and a new resturant really gonna push crystal to the next level? oh well at least this season will be the same.

[Rusty Nails]

Originally posted by girlski0912
GAH!!!!!!!!!

Gah!? That is sooooooooo Jessica Simpson of you...

[Jumper Bones]

Originally posted by girlski0912
Any other Crystal locals as bothered by this news as I am. Having grown up in a resort town, I loathe the consequences of expansion similar to what Crystal is potentially undergoing. The charm about Crystal is that it is a local's mountain. Washington really isn't a ski destination area, and quite frankly there is nothing wrong with that. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't Crystal gross more annual income than any of the other hills? So why expand and ruin the vibe that makes Crystal so fucking cool????? GAH!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to have to disagree with you...in my opinion, Crystal is by far the most resort-oriented hill in the area. Compared to Alpental or Stevens or Baker, it's certainly the most resort-ish. I think they lost their "local hill" standing when they installed the high-speed 6-packs a couple of years back, the only purpose those chairs serve is to push a lot of people uphill at once and increase skier capacity, and potential daily revenue. Also, be glad the expansion is going north - it was originally slated to go into the south back. I'd rather lose the north, than the south, as the south has some very special and badass terrain.

I will say that I believe Crystal regainst its local resort standing Monday through Friday. The difference from skiing then to skiing with the crowds on the weekends is pretty big.

[Schmear]

Edit: Here is the official Crystal Mountain press release, dated last Friday.


For Immediate Release
August 13, 2004

Crystal Mountain Receives Development Approval

Crystal Mountain, WA- After years of anticipation, Crystal Mountain received the Record of Decision (ROD) from the U.S. Forest Service today for its long awaited Master Development Plan. The ROD comes following an in-depth review of the Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) issued August 2001.

John Phipps, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Supervisor, selected Alternative Six with Modifications from the Final Environmental Impact Study (FEIS), concluding a seven-year effort of analyzing various alternatives to the proposed Master Development Plan. Basically, it approves new facilities at Crystal Mountain including a tram to the summit, a new chairlift in the North Country, a hotel, existing chairlift upgrades, base facility renovations, employee housing and wastewater facilities.

“I’m pleased with the outcome,” said John Kircher, Crystal Mountain’s General Manager. “We can move forward serving the growing needs of Puget Sound’s year round recreationalists while preserving the environment, and in some important areas, restoring it.”

If nothing arises during the appeal period, implementation of Phase One would start immediately, with construction expected to start the summer of 2005. Phase One consists of the Northway chairlift, an aerial tramway to a new Summit House restaurant, and trail and parking lot work.

Located just 76 miles from Seattle and 64 miles from Tacoma, Crystal Mountain is situated on the northeast edge of Mt. Rainier National Park. The turn off to Crystal Mountain is 33 miles east of Enumclaw on Highway 410.

For more information please visit Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest’s website: www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/John projects/crystal_eis

[fubar]

Say hello to $60 lift tickets and $11-->$1200 season passes.

The tram I can buy in on; as it has the capacity to run in 80+ mph winds. Thus eliminating the dreaded wind hold all of as have experienced.

As for the northway chair... can you say gapers and fartbags?

Dont fret Girlski... the Mags can keep it real. I spoke with Keith Rollins on Sunday about it, and his feelings are much the same as yours.


Change is a com'n.

[Buster Highmen]

Here's the executive summary for all you executives:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/crystal_...ve_Summary.pdf

I may be reading this thingy wrong, but I believe that Alternative 6 is the choice of the forest service. It includes everying requested except a Snorting Elk chair and a chair on the King. What is interesting is that is does seem to include development of East Peak. The "hike to" devotees are probably going to protest this one.

On the one hand, this will cause N. Back to get trashed more quickly and likely many of the little closets of weird stashes will be discovered. Oh well. It's not like the advent of fat skis, snowboards and general population growth hasn't impacted the quality over the years. If they do develop East Peak, that will open up a lot of acreage of really good terrain and may actually spread out the pressure.

But as far as Crystal being a destination resort, Stacy and John are still smoking crack. The weather here will never draw the vacationer types: too many days of storm, blowdown and not enough Blue Sky Cheer. The valley is too small to support any kind of resort village. It lacks the basic infrastructure. Maybe Greenwater will be the Aspen or JH or Alta of the Puget Sound, but somehow, I doubt the Naches Tavern will ever match Little Nells or Ze Alpenhof or The Peruvian.

I'm really glad they're leaving South Back alone.

One other interesting item that has been glossed over is the issue regarding boundaries. Crystal has long had a tradition of allowing bc access into wilderness areas and the park. Before the Kirchers and Boyne bought it, they used to sell single ride tickets. Anyway, there's a lot of great touring to be had: Pickhandle, Morris Creek, Crystal Lakes Basin and Mt. Rainier National Park. But part of the plan specifically disallows access outside the area boundaries for lift ticketed skiers. I hope this is a flimsy nod to some loony request that won't be enforced by the patrol. It might be worth stopping into the pro patrol to ask.

(edit) If anyone else is intersting in making their voice known regarding the closed boundaries policy, here's the conduit for comment: ldonovan/r6pnw_mbs@fs.fed.us
The guys name is Larry Donovan and he's a great guy caught in a pretty ugly emotionally charged situation. Please pen a note respectfully requesting that the closed boundaries stipulation be dropped. There's so much good pow you can get to on a crowded weekend, it would be a shame to have it shut off.

Summer is getting old and tired. The light is turning amber in the evening and occasionally I can feel a cool breath of fall. I'm ready. You?

[Schmear]

Good point on the boundary, B. I heard a rumor that the boundary issue was particularly (singularly?) tied to the part of the resort that borders MRNP. I'll try to find out for sure.

Another reason Crystal will have a hard time with the "destination" tag--it's a good 2-3 hours from SeaTac Airport, especially with Puget Sound traffic.

[Buster Highmen]

Have you ever skied down to 410? 3600+ of untracked pow in MRNP! Hot squirted stickypants.

[Schmear]

Yup... I know...

[Buster Highmen]

Arrest that man for defiling Mt. Rainier National Park! Ignore the Winnebagos!

[JMO]

^That photo's been posted more times than AKPM's fishing TRs. Still, it's a great rerun.

[Schmear]

[PeachesN'Cream]

hot damn!

first time i had seen that pic. all i could think of was phUnks avitar followed by the need for a cigaret and a shower.

crystal i think i love you!

[Schmear]

I just received the Forest Service press release; here are two excerpted paragraphs (Buster, note the bit about East Peak):

"Of the six alternatives studied in the Draft EIS, Supervisor Phipps selected Alternative D with some modifications. Key components of the decision include: construction of a tram to the summit, a new chairlift in the North Country, a new hotel, and new wastewater treatment facilities; several watershed restoration projects; base area renovations and an additional base area; and employee housing.

Major differences between Alternative 6 in the Draft EIS and Alternative 6 Modified in the Record of Decision include eliminating the proposed construction of C-16 (East Peak) lift and trails, eliminating proposed snowmaking storage in the up-mountain lagoon at the base of Avalanche Basin, and parking lot modifications."

[fiddler]

Originally posted by Schmear
Yup... I know...

What a great picture, I haven't seen it before, that I remember. Now I'll have to look at it everytime I turn on my computer.

[Buster Highmen]

Update:
The online Record of Decision (ROD) and EIS are supposed to go up at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/crystal_eis. today 8/17/04. It's not up yet, today 8/17/04.

Note that there is an issue regarding closing the boundaries. The National Parks Service is concerned that access by skiers into MRNP will overload the environment. Yet Winnebagos in the park are OK.

If you give a fecal, write them to protest boundary closures. We should be able to ski in the Crystal Lakes Basin and down to 410 as well as the S. and E. boundaries of the resort.

ldonovan@fs.fed.us is the new valid email for Mr. Donovan. Please be polite, it will make you heard.