Powder Compass

Atlas · Pacific NW · WA

Crystal Mountain

7,012′ summit · 2,612′ vert · 2,600 acres · avg 486″/yr

Strong bet — Dec 16–31

Delivered 30″+ in 9 of the last 10 seasons

Over 20 winters: 17 of 20 · typical 80", most land 45"–95"

Before you book

This bet missed 1 of the last 10.

None of the last 10 came in under 10″ — a bust, under a third of the bet.

Odds count natural snowfall only. At snowmaking-dependent resorts, early-season cover can be fine in a low-natural-snow year.

The season, window by window

The bet: 12″ of new snow per week, scaled to each window. Counted from real seasons — how our odds work.

Crystal Mountain · the shape of a typical winter

Typical new snow, window by window

The middle season — median new snow per window, counted from the last 20 winters. A picture of timing, not a forecast. Snow is streaky; hover any window for the usual range.

0 30 60 90" NovDecJanFebMarApr
Window Bet Delivered Verdict Typical Biggest Leanest
Nov 1–15 24″+ 7 of 10 · 2 busts Solid odds 28" 70" 2017 2" 2014
Nov 16–30 24″+ 8 of 10 Strong bet 40" 82" 2011 7" 2008
Dec 1–15 24″+ 8 of 10 Strong bet 45" 82" 2023 · 2 of 20 2" 2011
Dec 16–31 30″+ 9 of 10 Strong bet 80" 128" 2024 19" 2009
Jan 1–15 24″+ 9 of 10 Strong bet 43" 141" 2020 18" 2015
Jan 16–31 30″+ 5 of 10 Coin flip 27" 108" 2018 11" 2007
Feb 1–15 24″+ 6 of 10 · 1 bust Solid odds 26" 108" 2020 7" 2022
Feb 16–28/29 24″+ 9 of 10 Strong bet 39" 87" 2025 8" 2008
Mar 1–15 24″+ 7 of 10 Solid odds 35" 116" 2026 3" 2015
Mar 16–31 30″+ 4 of 10 · 1 bust Coin flip 34" 71" 2012 10" 2019
Apr 1–15 24″+ 6 of 10 · 1 bust Solid odds 22" 73" 2018 3" 2020
Apr 16–30 24″+ 2 of 10 · 4 busts Long shot 13" 34" 2022 2" 2025

Biggest and leanest are the two ends of the same 20 winters Typical is counted from — the year is when it happened, most recent first where more than one season ties.

At the snow sensor

Reading the snow sensor…

Field notes

Washington's most complete mountain — Rainier views, the Kings' gated steeps, Southback sidecountry, and a gondola. When the maritime snowpack sets up, it skis like a compact version of the Alps.

The Ikon anchor for the Northwest. Seattle weekend crowds overwhelm the parking reservation system — go midweek or arrive at dawn. Lodging at the base is thin; Enumclaw is the town. Rain-line roulette is the honest risk.

Watch this window

We'll email you when Crystal Mountain's odds move on the Dec 16–31 window — and the quote gets recorded as it stands today, so we can be graded on it later.

Planning a whole season? See the season outlook.

These are historical odds from the last 20 winters — not a forecast. Inside 16 days of a trip, a forecast is the better instrument; beyond that, counting real seasons is the honest play. Every number on this page is quoted under methodology v1.2.0, the same math we grade ourselves against in public.