Mountain Safety

General Safety
Crystal Mountain is committed to safety through promoting responsibility and awareness.

RESPONSIBILITY CODE
It’s your responsibility to observe the code illustrated at right and listed below. Please share with others in your groups to ensure a fun and safe day on the mountain.

Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
You must prevent runaway equipment.
Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
You must know how, and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and an employee.

SAFETY TIPS
Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed in many ways. Crystal Mountain allows the use of alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Snowsport activities are inherently dangerous, and the risk in these activities cannot be eliminated by Crystal Mountain. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.

UPHILL TRAVEL
Uphill travel is allowed in designated areas at Crystal Mountain. Users must abide by all rules and restrictions.

View Uphill Travel Status

GENERAL POLICIES

WINTER DOG POLICY
With the exception of authorized search and rescue or avalanche dogs, and qualified service dogs; dogs must be leashed and are ok in the plaza and parking lots. Dogs are not allowed in ski school areas or where teaching occurs.

SUMMER DOG POLICY
With the exception of authorized search and rescue or avalanche dogs, and qualified service dogs; dogs must be leashed and are allowed in all outdoor public areas, on trails and on the Mt. Rainier Gondola. Dogs are not permitted inside lodges, restaurants or other structures.

SERVICE ANIMALS
Qualified service animals include dogs or miniature horses that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Authorized search and rescue and avalanche rescue dogs also qualify. “Emotional support animals” do not qualify. A qualified service animal is allowed to accompany its handler throughout all public base area premises. Service dogs are also allowed to ride the gondola and visit the Summit House restaurant and public facilities at the summit regardless of season. Due to size and weight restrictions, miniature horses are not allowed to ride the Mt. Rainier Gondola. With the exception of avalanche rescue dogs, service animals are never allowed to ride chairlifts or accompany our guests on the slopes during the winter season. At all times, service animals must be under the control of their handler and shall have a harness, leash, or other tether.

DRONE POLICY
Due to safety and privacy concerns, Crystal Mountain prohibits the operation or use on or above resort property of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public—including model aircraft by recreational users and hobbyists—without the prior written authorization from Crystal Mountain.

This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within the area boundaries. This prohibition extends to any devices launched or operated from resort property, as well as any launched from private property outside of the resort boundaries. Please contact the Crystal Mountain Marketing Department if you wish to seek prior authorization to operate any such devices. Any authorized operation of drones on or above resort property will be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as those policies separately established by this resort, which may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability.

Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your access privileges to the resort, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any prohibited equipment, and may subject violators to any liability for damages, including, but not limited to, damages for trespass, violations of privacy, and physical injuries to persons and/or property, as well as legal fees.

PRIVACY POLICY
Crystal Mountain values and honors the privacy of personally identifiable information entrusted to us. We abide by Alterra's corporate Privacy Policy which can be found below.
Alterra Mountain Company Privacy Policy.

FAMILY SLOW ZONES
STAY IN CONTROL
Refer to the trail map to locate “Family Slow Zones” at Crystal Mountain Resort. These zones are high traffic areas where there are generally multiple trails merging into one and beginner skiers/snowboarders.

Guests should be traveling at generally the same speed, or below that of others utilizing the trail in these areas. Safety Hosts as well as Ski Patrol, are often found in these areas to encourage slow skiing and riding. Please contact one of these members of our safety team with questions or concerns, or to report violators.

The Skier’s Responsibility Code dictates that all guests must stay in control at all times in all areas at Crystal Mountain Resort. Guests must be able to stop or avoid other people or objects at all times. In the event of a collision, both parties must stop and exchange contact information even if there are no apparent injuries or damages to equipment.

CHAIRLIFT SAFETY

HELPFUL TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN RIDING A CHAIRLIFT

If unfamiliar with loading, riding, or unloading procedures it is your responsibility to notify the operator.
When loading, read and obey the “Wait Here” and “Load Here” signs as well as any other signage present.
When getting seated on the chair, ensure you are seated with your back fully against the backrest, and hold on to the chair.
If you or anyone else is not properly seated on the chair it is your responsibility to verbally notify the lift operator.
An adult should lower the arm bar after notifying other riders. Small children should not attempt to lower the arm bar.
During the ride, sit still and do not adjust equipment or lean forward for any other reason.
When unloading, raise tip(s) of skis/snowboard and wait to stand up until the chair reaches the “Unload Here” sign.
Crystal does not allow skiers or snowboarders to carry infants/toddlers in backpacks, chest packs, wraps or other similar devices on their bodies while using chairlifts.

For more information on lift safety and children visit: kidsonlifts.org/tips-for-parents/

DEEP SNOW SAFETY

DEEP SNOW
A tree well/ snow immersion suffocation accident can happen when a skier or snowboarder falls – usually headfirst – into a tree well or deep loose snow and becomes immobilized and trapped under the snow and suffocates. During times of elevated tree well and deep snow, hazard signs can be found in the ticket windows in the base area and at the bottom of all chairlifts. The chances of this type of accident occurring can be reduced by adhering to the following practices:

Stay on groomed trails during times of deep snow.
Ski or ride with a partner in sight and within earshot at all times.
Ski or ride one at a time through treed terrain.
If you become separated from your partner immediately contact ski patrol (360-663-3064) with your partners last seen point.
For more information: deepsnowsafety.org

BOUNDARY POLICY

DESIGNATED EXIT POINTS
There are nine exit points along the Crystal Mountain Resort boundary. These exit points are labeled E1-E8 on the trail map and on the mountain. All back country users leaving the ski area boundary MUST observe the signage and exit through one of these exit points. Contact ski patrol with any questions.

KEMPERS PERMANENT CLOSURE
There is a localized permanent boundary closure for the “Kemper’s” avalanche path which lies entirely within the designated wilderness of Mount Rainier National Park. This localized closure applying to all users, and requested by Crystal Mountain, is authorized and supported by the U.S. Forest Service and Mount Rainier National Park. Violators—whether or not in possession of a lift ticket—will lose skiing privileges at Crystal Mountain for at least one year.

BEYOND THE SKI AREA BOUNDARY
When leaving the ski area boundary YOU are accepting complete responsibility for your safety. Crystal Mountain recommends back country travelers to have the following:

Proper avalanche education
Proper avalanche equipment & knowledge to use it (probe, shovel & beacon)
Back country travel knowledge and experience
Knowledge of local conditions including weather and snow pack history

Rescue, if possible, may be slow and costly to you. Re-entering into closed areas within the ski area boundary is prohibited.

LAWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

WASHINGTON STATE LAW
Washington State Skiers’ Responsibility Code, R.C.W.79A.45 is an act relating to the duties of operators and users of commercial ski areas. Excerpts from the act include but are not limited to the following: R.C.W.79A.45 030(1)- “In addition to the specific requirements of this section, all skiers shall conduct themselves within the limits of their individual ability and shall not act in a manner that may contribute to the injury of themselves or any other person. And, “R.C.W.79A.45.030.(7)- “Any person skiing outside the confines of trails open for skiing or runs open for skiing within the ski area boundary shall be responsible for any injuries or losses resulting from his or her action.”
Read the full Chapter: Chapter 79A.45