Willis Wall

 I’ve been skiing Crystal Mountain since I moved to the Pacific Northwest back in 1983. With the advent of helmet cams, I started recording some outings way back in 2010. However, the newer GoPro models from the Hero 9 and up provide increasingly better quality and stabilization. I draw upon my library starting in 2022. Of course I filmed sporadically, usually trying to capture footage on sunny days, so I have not filmed every run on the mountain or every outing. However, there is surely enough coverage to provide a thorough overview of what Crystal has to offer.

For background, in 2022 I was 67 years old and would probably be considered a solid skier. I’m certainly no pro, but I do canvas the mountain including some double blacks, and I’m always working on technique, edge control and carving. Thanks to my long time ski partner CB who appears regularly in these videos.

CHINOOK is the lift from the base used to get going up the mountain along with the gondola, depositing the skier at REX with the option of skiing Broadway a short distance to Forest Queen. Chinook itself offers limited terrain aside from Stump Farm (blue) and Lower Arwine’s (green). Cutover (black) is only black because it leads to the two black runs, Deer Fly and Lower Ferk’s (can be viewed on the REX videos). There is also the option of skiing Broadway (green) to Quicksilver (green, can be viewed in the Forest Queen video), a great option for beginners. The last part of this video picks up at Lower Arwine’s and proceeds past the base area to Snorting Elk, over the bridge to “A” Lot and the skiers path to “B” lot.

GOLD HILLS is an isolated lift, essentially serving two blue runs, CMAC and Gold Hills Run. It is accessed from the base area, proceeding up terrain to the left.

FOREST QUEEN is accessed from Chinook via Broadway (green); keep your speed up because it gets fairly flat. Chair 6 is accessed from FQ, a short jaunt around the backside. Covered in this video: Queens Run (green), Snow Garden (green), Quicksilver (green), Downhill (blue), After Burn (blue), Mr. Magoo (blue), Little Magoo (blue), Lower Magoo (blue), Sideburn (blue) and Rolling Knolls (blue).

RAINIER EXPRESS (REX) REX is a mid station chair depositing the skier on top, also providing access to Green Valley and Northway. Covered in this video: Lucky Shot (blue), Mel’s Left (blue), Gandy’s Run (blue), Upper Ferk’s (blue), Middle Ferk’s (black), Lower Ferk’s (black), Little Portillo (black) and Sunnyside (black). Middle Ferk’s can also be accessed from Green Valley and Lower Ferk’s from Chinook.

GREEN VALLEY usually closes out the ski season with access from the gondola when the lower mountain is closed due to dirt; there are a few clips here recorded on May 25, 2025, the last day of operations, for variety. Northway is accessed from Green Valley also. Included in this video: Jeremy’s Road (blue), Huckleberry (blue), Blazing Elk (black), Green Valley Bowl (blue), Sheppard (black), West Face (black), Grubstake (black), Lower Grub (blue) and Snorting Elk (sorta, black).

CHAIR 6 This classic one speed double chair lift accesses all black terrain. Included in this video: Powder Bowl and the long high traverse before dropping into Campbell Basin.

Take a quick tour of the MT RAINIER GONDOLA towards the end of the season in 2025.

NORTHWAY is another classic single speed double chair, servicing all black terrain. You won't find any groomers here. Included runs: Otto Bahn, Lower Otto Bahn, Northway Bowl, Upper Northway, Northway, Spook Hill and Upper Otto Bahn.