jimcheen Posted February 11, 2023 Report Share Posted February 11, 2023 I'm going to visit my daughter in Kent. Crystal and Snoqualmie are both on the Ikon pass: Crystal is about an half hour further than Snoqualmie, but it is also a little larger. I'm more of a green/blue surf carver, not a kill the mountain carver. Buttermilk is my favorite in Aspen ,followed by the Elk Camp area at Snowmass. Looking at the trail maps, it seems that Snoqualmie may offer more of that type of terrain. It seems that Snoqualmie would be good as it is closer and seems to have terrain that I would enjoy. Do any of you northwest carvers have any other intel that would influence the choice? Grooming quality? Ease of access? Or anything else you can think of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetLowBob Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 I live in Seattle and ski both Crystal and Snoqualmie Summit often. Assuming you're hardboot carving (as opposed to skiing), and based on your Buttermilk green/blue comment here's my recommendation: Go to Summit West (one of the four Summit-at-Snoqualmie options) on Wednesday afternoon -- West is closed Monday and Tuesday and they open at 2pm on Wednesday after a thorough grooming overnight Tuesday (I assume; they might groom on Monday for all I know.) The pitch is a consistent green-blue, and while there's not quite 700 feet of vertical, the one chairlift accesses a half-mile-wide field just ready for trench time. You'll drive up in an hour, you'll carve your legs into oblivion in 2-3 hours, and the Timberwolf bar is one of the nicest places for an after-sesh beer or cocktail. Sixty more minutes down I-90 and you can be home for dinner. This works any weekday with no lift lines, but Wednesdays are best IMHO. If you can only carve on weekends, Summit West is good for carving but get there early as they open at 9am, and the parking lots will fill up with ski school families and general mayhem. Crystal might be a better bet on weekends; a bit crowded, but the high speed lifts help. Forest Queen chair is the ticket for great grooming and high-speed six person uphill returns. Crystal has higher elevation, which can mean snow at Crystal when there's rain at Snoqualmie. For me, the short drive to Snoqualmie combined with mid-week lack of crowds tips the scales. But check the weather, and hit me up for a carve session! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetLowBob Posted February 12, 2023 Report Share Posted February 12, 2023 Forgot to mention, that on Wednesdays through Saturdays the Snoqualmie resorts are open until 9pm for night skiing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcheen Posted February 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 Thanks GetLow! I was initially planning on midweek only, but may do crystal on the wkd. I'm flying out on the 21st of March(Tuesday) so I'll plan on Snoqualmie the next day. The after carve session beer is a must for me; greatly appreciate the Timberwolf tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jng Posted February 18, 2023 Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 Beware the weekend crowds. Generally I avoid hardbooting on weekends at any of the local resorts. Also Crystal requires a parking reservation on weekends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimcheen Posted February 18, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 Thank you JNG! I usually don't ride on weekends, but may give it a try while out in the PNW. IIRC, one them also requires a lift ticket reservation with the Ikon pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jng Posted February 18, 2023 Report Share Posted February 18, 2023 Snoqualmie requires ikon reservation. Bring something for powder. It’s supposed to be a good week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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