Road Biking, Mountain Biking, Disc Golf, Endless Hiking Trails, Scenic Gondola Rides, Swimming, Wildflower Hikes, Campfires, Pool Games, and Geocaching are just some of the summer activities at the resort. Take advantage of the Silver Skis pool (open in the summer until 10pm Friday/Saturday and until 8pm mid-week), communal gas barbeques, picnic area, or outdoor fire pit.
Our condominiums are the perfect place to hold your special event. We have accommodated conferences, weddings, family reunions, car shows, sporting events, retreats and more. Our staff will make every effort to ensure your stay is memorable.
Download the:
2022 Summer Fact Sheet
2022 Summer Events
See a Sample Itinerary for your stay at Crystal Mountain
Hiking
Trail maps are available at the Mountain Shop, online, and at the Silver Skis office. Great hikes to recommend are the Bullion Basin and Henskin Lake trails from the base area or along the ridge to Northway or the Crystal Mountain trail from the summit.
Disc Golf
Enjoy the beautiful views while playing this challenging yet fun 30-basket disc golf course. Start the lower course just up the slope from the Mountain Shop or take the Mt. Rainier Gondola up to start the more challenging course from the summit down. The course is free and open to anyone at any time. Good shoes/hiking boots are recommended. Good marking/spotting is important and a big help in finding your discs. The Mountain Shop, Silver Skis office and the Snorting Elk Cellar have free course maps available and custom stamped discs for sale.
Family Activities
Talk to our front desk about equipment for these great family activities:
Swimming Pool: Silver Skis offers a heated 87° private pool to Silver Skis registered guests only (no hotel guests, RV, etc. allowed). Open midweek until 8pm and weekends until 10pm.
Lawn Games: Available at the Silver Skis office: Horseshoes, Ladder Ball, Croquet, Bocce Ball, Basketball, etc.
DVD Rentals: A huge rental library is located in the Silver Skis lobby offering a variety of movies. Summer Special; Rent 2 DVDs for only $4.
Scenic Gondola Rides
Guests ride up the Mt. Rainier Gondola (almost 2,500 vertical feet from 4,400’ to 6,872’) to the summit, where the view will leave you breathless! On a clear day, you can enjoy the stunning views of 5 volcanoes (Mt. Rainier, Mt. St Helens, Mt Adams, Mt Baker & Mt Hood).
When you reach the summit you can dine indoors or on the patio at the Summit House, picnic or just relax in a lounge chair and soak up the sun!
See Hours, Prices and Reservations information
Mount Rainier National Park
tay at Silver Skis Chalets and start your day early with easy access to two different entrances to Mount Rainier National Park within 45 minutes you can easily enjoy endless mountain views, ancient forest hiking through the Ohanapocosh or Sunrise entrances. Visit multiple waterfalls, glacial creeks, experience mountain breezes and incredible alpine meadows full of wildflowers. Enjoy the views of Mt Rainier and reserve a spot for dinner at the Paradise Inn Restaurant.
Biking
Bikes are not allowed on the Mt. Rainier Gondola, but they are allowed on most trails around the resort. Bikes are NOT allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail. Bikers ride or push their bikes to the summit and ride down on either the access road or Crystal Mountain Trail.
There are also many trails along the river on Hwy 410 in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest as well in the Mount Rainier National Park.
Wildflower Hikes
Nature’s bounty of subalpine wildflowers bloom when the snows disappear. Peak wildflower season differs slightly each year, but July and early August are good bets.
If you go to nearby Sunrise, be sure and stop in the lodge to pick up a wildflower pamphlet and hike guide. The wildflower meadows at Crystal Mountain and throughout Mount Rainier National Park’s Sunrise and Paradise access points are spectacular.
The subalpine meadows in the Park are protected. Do your part and follow trail etiquette and stay on the marked trails!
Shopping & Retail
Tower 16
The Summit Gift Shop is located at the top of the Mt. Rainier Gondola under the tower and is your summer go-to at the mountain top. With a yummy selection of ice cream, snacks, beverages, picnic items, and sandwiches, you can snack while enjoying the magical views. If you’re looking for souvenirs or forgot something for your trip, the Summit Shop carries gifts, clothing, accessories, postcards, Mount Rainier souvenirs, art and more.
Early Summer Hours: Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am-5:00 pm (hours may vary)
Peak and Late Summer Hours: Daily: 10:00am-5:00pm (weather permitting)
Right Angle Sports
Located at the base of the construction zone near the Mt. Rainier Gondola, the Right Angle Sports Shop sells a wide selection of clothing, accessories, hiking boots, sunscreen, jewelry, gifts, postcards, dog necessities, art and more. The Mountain Shop also sells gondola tickets so it is truly your one-stop-shop.
Early Summer Hours: Saturday & Sunday 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (hours may vary)
Peak and Late Summer Hours: Daily: 9:30am- 6:00pm
Nearby Towns
Greenwater – The small and eclectic community of Greenwater is located west of Crystal Mountain on State Route 410 and is situated in a densely forested area surrounded by designated wilderness areas. Look for family-owned and operated businesses including Wapati Outdoors and the Naches Bar & Grill. The newly opened Greenwater Collective combines all things outdoors under one roof in their ski and bike shop which includes a mountain market and souvenirs.
Packwood – Packwood is gem of a small town situated between Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. The 45 minute drive through Mount Rainer National park from Silver Skis is well worth the time spent getting to this do-not-miss destination in the summer. With a plethora of hiking, mountain biking, fishing, shopping and 10+ restaurants to dine in, it’s easy to see why this mountain community is popular year round. Don’t forget to take a drive along the White Pass Scenic Byway which features some of the states most beautiful volcanos, lakes, waterfalls, backcountry, and more!
Naches – the eastern gateway to the Chinook Scenic Byway, Naches is a part of Yakima’s premier agricultural region with tree fruit and vineyards. Enjoy wine tasting at several wineries in the heights above Naches, or enjoy opportunities for U-Pick of fruit in season in the valley. On the drive to Naches, stop for a meal at Whistlin’ Jacks Lodge or visit Boulder Cave or Bumping Lake for fishing, water sports and hiking into the William O. Douglas Wilderness.
Suggested Summer Itineraries
Silver Skis Chalet prides itself with our motto “Bringing Families Together”. After an adventurous day of hiking and sightseeing, it sure is nice to return to a well-equipped condo. Kick your feet up and relax on a comfy couch instead of sitting on the edge of a hotel room’s bed.
Crystal Mountain Resort is conveniently located at the Northeast entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. Below are some sample itineraries to help you plan your stay. The possibilities are endless!
Download this Sample Itinerary for your stay at Crystal Mountain!
Day One
Drive to Sunrise! Sunrise elevation is 6400 feet (the highest you can drive on the mountain). There you will find numerous hiking trails that range from easy to difficult. Grab a snack from the deli, purchase your sunscreen and get that awesome t-shirt you’ve been eyeing.
* Sunrise is known for its beautiful sunrises…get up early to experience it!
4pm – Drive 30 minutes to Crystal Mountain Resort and Check-In at Silver Skis Chalet (Last building on the left). Unpack, shower and jump into the heated pool to stretch your tired muscles.
5:30pm – Prepare dinner in your condo or grill-out on one of the poolside gas BBQ grills. Take advantage of our organic herb garden and add a little flair to your meal!
7:00pm – Play a game of croquet on the front lawn, roast marshmallows at the fire pit or play a board game in your room.
9:00pm – Watch a DVD or play a game with the family. See the selection for guest use in the registration office.
Day Two
10:00am – Walk to the base area and take a Scenic Gondola Ride to the top of Crystal Mountain! From the summit, you can see 5 volcanoes: Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, Mt. Adams, and Mt. Hood. Have lunch at the Summit House (Washington’s highest restaurant), or enjoy a picnic lunch. Meet at the Summit gift shop to go on a 45 min. guided Interpretive Walk to learn about local flora and fauna, human history and the geologic processes (11am & 1pm on Fri-Sun). When you are ready to leave, you can either ride down the gondola or hike down the Crystal Mountain trail to visit Henskin Lake (Hiking trail maps available at the Silver Skis Office).
4:00pm – Arrive back at the base area. Go for a horseback ride, throw disc golf, or relax by the pool.
6:00pm – Eat dinner “alfresco” at the Alpine Inn Restaurant (across the parking lot from Silver Skis).
8:00pm – Watch for Wildlife (Elk love to feed on the hillside).
Day Three
9:00am- Hike under the giant trees at the Grove of the Patriarchs, located 35 minutes away in Mt. Rainier National Park. This trail offers a closer look at nature on a 1.25 mile loop (only 100’ elevation change).
11:00am- Drive to the Ohanapecosh campground. Enjoy a Ranger-Led Program, hike the Silver Falls Trail, and visit the interpretive center. Have a picnic while you are there!
3:00pm – On your way back to Crystal Mountain, stop by Tipsoo Lake (on top of Chinook Pass) for a great view of Mt. Rainier, beautiful wildflowers, and a walk along the Pacific Crest Trail. Or, travel on to Packwood after visiting Ohanapecosh.
Day Four
9:00am – Drive to Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park (1 hour 15 min). Along the way, visit Box Canyon and Reflection Lakes. Paradise offers a wonderful Interpretive Center, a restaurant, 2 Cafés, 2 gift shops, a coffee shop and many hiking trails.
3:00pm – After you leave, head to Narada Falls (5 minute drive) and Christine Falls (10 minutes) for photos of these beautiful waterfalls.
Day Five
10:00am – Explore Boulder Cave (45 minute drive), have lunch next to the river at Whistlin’ Jack’s Lodge, then head over to Bumping Lake where you can swim, float, or rent a boat for the afternoon!
Day Six
10:00am – Take a hike along the Greenwater Lakes Trail (35 minute drive). This easy trail is great for families and will take you through old growth forest to two pristine mountain lakes (2 hours roundtrip).
1:00pm – Enjoy a snack and tasty beverage at Greenwater Collective or a burger and brew from the Naches Tavern. Shop for souvenirs and Ice Cream at Wapiti Outdoors.
Drive to Suntop Lookout for the sunset!
