[pct-l] Crystal Mountain History Facts.

[marge@prothman.com (Marge Prothman)]

Monte.....
Bring back Memories.......
You sure did with that post about Crystal Mountain.  I will add a few more
memories. The first year it opened there was a lack of snow, the ski school
only operated for about 4 - 6 weeks and I did not work the first year, they
did not have much need for ski instructors.  I started working at Crystal
for Jack Nagel, a 1952 Olympian, in 1963 and retired in 1987.

Those were marvelous days and the PCT trail runs across the top of the old T
Bar Hill. I think even then I would look up at that trail and think, one of
these days I am going to hike the PCT. Those were the days I would drive my
kids up to Chinook Pass and tell them to hike home (we lived in the ski
area).

Wow! and Willi Grindstaff, I knew very well, if you see his son soon, tell
him to give Willi my regards and I am still skiing in Sun Valley and come
see us.
Now you have me thinking about those good old days.

Cheers,   Marge (the old gal)

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Montedodge@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2002 3:54 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Crystal Mountain History Facts.


--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
 Little ski resort you see past Chinook Pass going north marks its 40th
anniversary says the daily " 0" Olympia Paper today.  Proposed to Forest
Service in 1955 and became Winter Sports area in 1958. Cystal opened Dec.8th
in 1962 with two chairlifts, one T-bar and seven tow ropes able to handle
1,200 folks an hour says 72 year old Willie Grindstand. ( tickets were 4.50
for a chair, 3.50 for T-bar and 2.50 for a tow rope ticket.  Cost to build
was 1.25 million with stocks sold to 200 holders)
    Today, it handles 20,000 skiers per hour to the top 50 runs and was
bought by Boyne's in 1997 who plan a controversial expansion under review by
Forest Service.
    Willie Grindstaff says," There was nobody around" back in the old days
and the parking lot was much smaller. He and his friends would  ski off
backside to 410 and hike out.
     I thought this article would bring back memories for Marge!! I know
Willie's son Mark well through wrestling.
       Hammicks??? I tried one at the ALDA West last year and it would be a
good option. ( Though in colder weather, you would lose much more heat than
either a tent or tarp because of all the flowing air underneath)
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