A throwback photo of the REX upper terminal.Photo: Neil Rabinowitz/Getty Images

Washington Ski Resort Donates $100K+ to Avalanche Forecasters

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated May 20, 2025 2:40 PM ET

In a recent chairlift auction, Crystal Mountain, Washington, raised $116,000 for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC).

“We can’t thank this team enough for the data they provide to keep us safe and in the know,” Crystal Mountain wrote in a social media post.

The ski resort likely couldn’t have chosen an organization more favored by skiers.

Established in 1975, NWAC is one of North America's premier avalanche centers. Its forecast zones stretch from northern Oregon and throughout Washington, helping skiers make sense of constantly changing winter conditions so they can stay safe as they travel through the backcountry.

The auction sold 50 chairs from Crystal Mountain’s Rainier Express, or, as it’s locally known, REX. First installed in 1988, REX was Washington’s first high-speed detachable quad chairlift and, for decades, served as a vital piece of terrain infrastructure, providing access to classic runs like The Doors and Sunnyside.

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All good things must come to an end, though, and this summer, the ski resort opted to replace REX after its 37-year tenure with a new high-speed quad manufactured by Leitner-Poma. The project is expected to be completed in December 2025.

To bid REX farewell, Crystal Mountain hosted the Last Riders of REX 1988 earlier this month, a 1980s-themed party at the lower terminal of the chairlift. It featured live music, giveaways, and contests. Era-accurate costumes that featured neon and wild patterns were encouraged.

While construction on REX’s replacement is underway, Crystal Mountain hasn’t concluded ski operations for this season. The ski resort is temporarily closed this week, but plans to open for skiing and riding during the final stretch of extended operations over Memorial Day weekend (May 23-26, 2025).

The last weekend, as is normal for late-season skiing, won’t include any beginner terrain. The available slopes will be accessed by the Green Valley lift, with the ski resort’s gondola providing access to the mountain from the base area.

Summer activities at Crystal Mountain kick off later this week, too, beginning on May 23 and lasting through May 26. The ski resort will shift to a daily summer operation schedule on June 27.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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