2004 DTR - Crystal Mountain, Washington

I dream about snowboarding all the time. I also have delusional fantasies that involve mountains made of pure glory. And when I can't fall asleep I pretend I am on an endless run snapping off the largest shwacks possible. I don't know exactly where I am at during these episodes but I know that wherever it is, it's damn good. That is, I didn't know until I went to Crystal Mountain.

The nice thing about Crystal is that it kicks ass. We got this place sooooo good! Like everywhere we go, yes, it did snow and, yes, it did snow a lot. If you want and idea of what it is like here, imagine those mountains you see in pictures or movies of Alaska scaled down to a much more manageable size. I don't mean scaled down in intensity, just size. There is stuff here that will definitely scare you if that's what you like. In my case I like it; I like it a lot. Unfortunately, sometimes I am better at scoping my line from above than the actual execution itself. This is not the case with the locals. We received a firsthand account of how they like to ride up here in Washington: strong. Our guides included Wayne Grevey, cofounder of CASCA Productions, and local ripper Brandon Lewis. It is nice to meet people more concerned with the smile on your face than with your sponsorships. As for my overall experience in the great Northwest, the people are a lot more genuine. They are not preoccupied with all the BS that is so easy to get caught up in if you forget what is really important in life. In my opinion, this makes all of the difference in the whole atmosphere you are in. Let's say we found ourselves in a very pleasant environment.

I'll tell you what I liked most about this place: the originality. If you have any kind of imagination at all, your riding will flourish. I would have been satisfied riding one small section of the mountain all the while finding new things with a simple investigative glance. As it happened we rode vast amounts of terrain up and down the readily available ridgeline traverses and hikes that make up Crystal's savage backcountry. I won't give it away; first, it would take forever explaining what this shit is all about, and second is a respect issue - if you want it, go there. See for yourself and you shall believe.

The crew wishes to express our deepest thanks to Tiana in marketing for her generosity, Crystal Mountain Hotel for their hospitality, and to the fine people at The Snorting Elk Bar. Also be sure to check out CASCA's new movie featuring the best riding and skating the Northwest has to offer.

SNOWBOARDER Magazine's Best of Crystal Mountain
Runaway Winner: Best Locals
Strong Contender: Best Backcountry and Best Natural Terrain