Image
It's only early September, but at least one Washington ski resort is already seeing some snow.

Crystal Mountain Resort welcomed several inches of fresh snow in the higher elevations late this week. It was bare at the base Saturday, but many visitors were quite surprised to see snow just below the 7,000 foot elevation level.

"It was a surprise. It was a little chilly," Sherri Luick said after stepping off of the resort's gondola. She's visiting the area from Minnesota.

"It's been cloudy ever since we got here. We were hoping to catch a shot of Rainier," said Tyler Paige, who moved to Seattle in early July.

"No such luck. No such luck," Paige Hall added.

A couple inches of snow fell on Friday, which added to the dusting that coated the higher elevations on Thursday, resort employees said.


"Snow was just going straight across. It wasn't even like taking a downturn or anything. Pretty snowy," said Jeff Knesebeck, Crystal Mountain Resort.

"This means it's gonna dump this year!" one visitor exclaimed.

Some of the snow had melted by Saturday, but there was still plenty near the top of the gondola and on nearby trees. Employees were seen setting up chairs for a couple's wedding that was scheduled to begin at 3 P.M. Saturday.

Some Washington ski resorts are looking to rebound from last year's difficult ski season. Crystal Mountain Resort fared better than many others, employees said. It was open for 112 days of skiing last year, which was slightly down from the annual average of 130.

"We're definitely ready," Stellar Bigatel said.

For now, Bigatel and many other skiers and snowboarders will wait to see what the season brings. She's not quite ready for summer to end, but seeing snow this early in the year has made her and her friends excited for what's to come.

"I'm ready for the snow, but I really don't want to go back to school," Bigatel's friend said.

In 2013, Crystal Mountain Resort opened for the season on October 1st, which was the resort's earliest opening ever, employees said. Typically the ski season starts in November or December, they added.

The resort is open daily for scenic gondola rides until September 20. The resort will then close until the ski season begins, a spokeswoman said.