Crystal Mountain got a little refresh for Christmas followed by some cold, clear temps. Pockets of chalky recirculating powder kept the off piste pretty dang fun, which was a gift in its own right. The previous storm came in windy and kept the frontside refilling to the point I did the same run turn for turn 14 times. It was too good to even venture off in search of other snow. The bluebird days that followed still had plenty of good snow in Campbell Basin and the trees to keep me occupied.

Backcountry conditions mellowed out for a nice venture away from the resort while the Boxing day crowds moved in. I headed up to East Peak for the day and was treated to some wind effected snow and soft powder. And while the holiday crowds were large the resort was still pretty fun. Low wait times on REX and I knew pretty much everyone in Northway. The front side of the King was looking too good to pass up so I skied a line I usually shrug off as low hanging fruit. But the pitch and high sides of the chute had me stoked.

Phil ripping down the King at Crystal Mountain

Tuesday morning I awoke a reported 3″ of overnight snowfall… but it was more like 8″! The powder hounds were out but still didn’t have the legs under them to stay out all day. I headed out on a snowboard for the 1st few hours hitting the trees and some fun runs in Northway. Nearly a foot of new fell during the day and made the last runs of the day the best. Frontside laps on REX were better and better as the day went on. Stoked that the weather was forecasted to clear up the next day!

Reid Pitman — Storm day snowboarding at Crystal Mountain

Yesterday my friends Christy, Mark, Alec and I were on 3rd Gondi cabin as the line reached its “holiday size”. Frontside of REX was bottomless for the 1st warm up runs of the day. We headed over to Chair 6 and did some hot laps in Campbell basin while the frontside got hammered. As the Chair 6 line grew to an impatient size we dropped out to chase powder in North for a few before Southback opened up at noon. South was all time as to be expected. Crystal ended up having to turn folks around because the parking lots were beyond full. It pays to wake up early..

Please be aware that Crystal Mountain has updated their Uphill Policy!! Check it out here

Be careful out there. I don’t want to get into detail and will keep my personal feelings out of this but I will say the the PNW ski community lost a wonderful man. I highly respected him and always looked forward to when our paths would cross. If you’d like a peek into the life and stoke of Adam check this video out.