It was the time of the season where the lifts started running and the powder was accumulating. With the limited opening of the lower slopes at Crystal Mountain the upper mountain would still be untracked powder. Joe, Chris and I decided we would take advantage of the upper resort terrain being inaccessible via lifts and put in a skin track heading in a northerly direction. We would start from the base before skinning up to Green Valley. Once there we would push towards the Northback putting tracks in a run at a time.
Skinning to the Upper Slopes of Crystal Mountain
There was a general feeling of stoke throughout the crowd as we arrived at the base. Everyone was anxiously waited for the gates to open for there first chair of the season and getting first tracks on the lower slopes. It was obvious it was going to be a mad frenzy once the resort opened from the feeling of the crowd. With that in mind we got a 30 minute head start skinning up to the top of Chinook Chair merely minutes before the chaos ensued. To our surprise Upper Mountain had not been groomed leaving us with no option but to break trail in the 6 inches of new snow that had accumulated over night.
We kept a fast past climbing the switchbacks as hoots and hollers echoed from below us. In the distance we could see people celebrating there first turns of the season. As we climbed through the deep untouched snow we were pleasantly surprised by the conditions. There was a solid snowpack and fresh snow everywhere. We were excited to see what it looked like above.
As we crested into Green Valley it was blue bird without a single track in the main bowl. Although it was the opening day we had great coverage which is insanely rare considering that it was mid November.
Our First Run of the Day Down Sunnyside
It took us around an hour and a half to make it to our first destination. Looking down we could see the wide open untracked slopes on the south aspect known as Sunnyside. We strapped in basking in the brilliant sunshine excited for our first run of the day. With the sun out we had merely minutes before the heat affected the Southern aspects we intended to ski. After a quick moment we dropped in to that the powder was deep and the snow was dry.
Making fall line turns we rode down the ankle deep pow with no obstructions. It was a minute of pure bliss riding in the wide open slopes. Making our way back to our skin track and quickly transitioned and made our way back towards Green Valley. Below us we noticed a few like minded individuals heading towards the upper slopes of Crystal Mountain. By know there were both groups of people skinning and bootpacking up below us.
We took advantage of the now groomed track as we skinned up Ice berg ridge. Above us there was still not a single track had been placed in Green Valley. Climbing under the REX chair it started moving and as we had feared there were people on it. If we wanted first tracks we would have to pick up our pace. There was a sigh of relief when we realized it was ski patrollers. They were roping off potentially harmful terrain and had no to drop into Green Valley.
Our Second Run Laying First Tracks into Green Valley
Once on the top of the bowl we realized that we would be putting in the first tracks of the season. Below us the sun glistened upon the open powder slopes of Green Valley. After transitioning I dropped in gaining momentum and with one big turn I was coated in powder.
The snow seemed to linger in the area as I laid the first tracks in Green Valley. Since I had dropped in first the only way to make it back to our trail was to straight line the lower half of the bowl. Luckily I was able to keep up my speed and make it within 30 feet of the ascent route.
Looking back up it was wild to see Green Valley with a single track. The snow had been amazing and it was the perfect start to the Crystal Mountain season. Knowing how this area is normally when the chairs are running I was happy we started early. On the average powder day you have 20 minutes before it gets tracked out.
In the distance I could see Joe dropping in leaving huge rooster tails with every turn. Next Chris was dropping in as they made turns down the wide open slopes. Behind us we could hear people hooting from the ridge and watching us as they were skinning up.
By now it was around 11:00 and the groomed track was now bustling with activity. People were emerging from the top of Ice berg gulch to look at three glorious tracks down Green Valley. We took a moment to rest and transition before skinning towards our next destination.
Heading into the Crystal Mountain Northback
We skinned up to the summit of Green Valley before following the groomed slope out to the snorting Elk bowl. Looking back we could have made more laps in Green Valley but we were interested in the Northback area.
Before long we were climbing the ridge to the summit of Northway peak. We took in the panoramic views while snacking on some food and rehydrating. By now clouds started coming in from the horizon and the light was starting to get flat. Our next objective was the main chute heading down Northway peak as we made our way to the edge.
From our perspective the area was wind loaded but still seemed to be rocky in some areas. We were well aware of what areas were safe and what areas were not by the rocks sticking out on the sides. While we weren’t too concerned about avalanches we decided to play it safe and cut a cornice. This caused minor sluffing but nothing unexpected and it built our confidence as we prepared to drop in.
Riding Down Northway Peak
After a quick ski cut Joe dropped in first and within a split second it became obvious that this run would be the best powder. Making his way down we could see snow kicked up with every turn. Finally he was near the bottom and with a quick shout he was letting us know it was good to go.
I dropped in next yielding face shots with every turn only hitting one minor rock along the way. Finally Chris dropped in yelling with every turn before jumping around and giving us high fives. Bu now we were ecstatic as we kept looking at our tracks before transitioning to skinning.
The terrain in the Northway bowl still lacked coverage as rocks were jutting out of the snowpack. We decided to go check Morning Glory Bowl which would deliver low angled north facing slopes. Carefully we skinned out out of Northway Bowl trying to minimize our exposure to Avalanches. Putting in our skin track we stayed in semi dense trees and left space between each other. Soon we were on the ridge climbing to our high point the top of morning glory bowl.
Our Final Lap Out in Morning Glory Bowl
By know it was 2:00 and we made a group decision that this would be our last run in Northway. Since the angle of Morning glory bowl was mellow we had to keep speed on the flats. Soon we were dropping over a steep roller yielding by far the driest turns of the day. Reached the flats below and our stopping point we were all ecstatic with a fresh dusting of powder on our beanies.
Exiting via Lucky Shot in Crystal Mountain Ski Resort
We broke trail through the deep snow traversing out to the low saddle and arriving at the saddle between Northway and Morning Glory. Before long we were heading back on the Northway road and reaching groomed slopes of Snorting Elk.
We quickly followed the trail up towards the lucky shot traverse and to our surprise 4 skiers zoomed past us. They were ducking a rope and heading out towards the Northway area. We quickly figured out that upper slopes of Crystal Mountain were now open. As we reached our final high point we noted the stark contrast between what Green Valley looked like earlier in the day and the skied out conditions it was now in. Dropping into Lucky Shot the snow was all tracked out but we were fine with that. It had been a great day and we were fortunate to have rode so many good runs on the upper slopes.
We felt very fortunate to experience such great conditions in Mid November.Finally we were back at the base of Crystal Mountain and celebrated another great day with great friends at the Bullwheel.
Thank you for reading this trip lapping the upper slopes at Crystal Mountains. If you want to see more ski tours within Crystal Mountain Backcountry check out this link.