MN Surfer Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 Hello, all. I'll be at Crystal next weekend, travelling by air. First time there, and unfortunately I may be restricted to bringing only one board/boots. So the question is, what would a guy get the most mileage and fun out of; hard or soft boot set-up? It looks like the joint gets a lot of fresh, and from what I can tell the off-piste is a big draw. Anyway, any suggestion/advice is appreciated! Cheers. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keenan Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 (edited) If you must choose, I would say soft (I always rode a free ride board with plates when I was there). More steep and deep runs than groomers. And weekends at CM can get pretty busy. If you hit it on a good pow day it can be pretty amazing. And if there is new snow and you have the energy, hiking Southback to The King on the last run is well worth the effort. If you aren't staying on mountain, leave early to get there, you will be rewarded. Edited December 9, 2013 by Keenan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MN Surfer Posted December 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 Thank you, sir. I believe we will be staying on-mountain (Silver Skis?) so we'll be sure to get on it early. I'm with a group of skiers, so I'm sure they'll be up for your suggestion of hiking the last run. Thanks for tips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 Ditto what Keenan said. I've only spent 2 or 3 days at Crystal, but the off-piste is pretty extensive and not to be missed. Last time I was there, I was riding plates on a Prior 4WD. That worked OK, but I was definitely working on some off-piste areas. A freeride board with either plates or softboots, depending on your preference, would let you have more fun on more of the mountain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MN Surfer Posted December 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Didn't look like much fresh, so brought the hardboot rig, and ditched the Crystal plans. We went from slushy, incredibly crowded, Stevens on one day to cool and sunny, groomed and empty, Montana-esque beauty at Mission Ridge the next. Wow, what a difference an hour makes. It was only about 1/3 open, but boy does that look like a fun mountain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P06781 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Great area ! , awesome view off the back of Mt Ranier if its clear . However I would "pray for snow" at this point.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slopestar Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Crystal is always hit or miss. Off piste depends on temp. And snow of course. As far as groomers/ Crystal mountain groomers are phenomenal! Never a cat burn and never ridges... Bruce has been tilling and grooming snow there for 25years! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P06781 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Share Posted December 19, 2013 Looks like you might hit it right ... Friday: Snow in the morning...then rain and snow in the afternoon. precipitation may be heavy at times in the afternoon. Snow accumulation of 7 to 14 inches. Snow level near 2500 feet in the afternoon. Wish Mt Hood was getting some of this but we only get a warmer dusting. However snow in seattle for some traffic chaos predicted too . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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