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CommentsCrystal Mountain’s much anticipated new chair lift could open as soon as Saturday, resort officials announced Monday. After a brief ceremony the Northway Lift will load for the first time. It will service Crystal’s North Country area and provide access to 1,000 acres of terrain.
The new lift will nearly double Crystal’s current 1,300 lift-serviced acres.
The Northway Lift will bring the first new lift-serviced terrain to Western Washington since Stevens Pass opened Mill Valley in 1987. The lift is recommended for expert level skiers and snowboarders.
The new lift will be able to move 19,110 people per hour, fewer than the high-speed lifts at the resort.
“It’s about the skiing,” Crystal Mountain general manager John Kircher said Monday. “We have a job to do handling the crowds here, but we all see how fast the snow gets tracked out. The new lift in the North Country is designed to provide access but keep the snow quality higher.”
Crystal submitted a request to the Forest Service to build the lift in 1999. The project was approved in 2004.
Crystal currently is open with seven lifts operating. At closing Monday it was reporting a 33-inch base of snow with 9 new inches over the weekend.
Lift tickets are $58 for adults.
The Summit at Snoqualmie plans to open the Alpental ski area Wednesday morning.
Craig Hill: 253-597-8497
blogs.thenewstribune.com/adventure
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