Crystal Mountain vs Stevens Pass
One clear look at snowfall, elevation, and access, so you know which to ski.
Crystal Mountain
WA · 7,012 ft
Stevens Pass
WA · 5,845 ft
Side-by-Side
| Metric | Crystal Mountain | Stevens Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Washington WA | Washington WA |
| Summit elevation | 7,012 ft 4,400 ft base | 5,845 ft 4,061 ft base |
| NWS forecast bias | Pending grade pending | Pending grade pending |
| Season snowfall | 160" 24 storms | 135" 21 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 1.7"/day | 1.8"/day |
| Best storm | 76/100 Epic | 70/100 Epic |
| SNOTEL record | 24 storm-days measured | 21 storm-days measured |
| Community reports | — no local intel yet | 6 TGR posts |
| Nearest airport | SEA | SEA |
| Drive time | 1.75h 78 mi · SEA | 1.5h 78 mi · SEA |
| Access difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Pass | Ikon | Ikon |
Snowfall totals come from each resort's tracked storms. NWS forecast grades read “pending” everywhere: six winters of checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct, so we show the raw NWS number and do not grade it.
The Verdict
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
Crystal Mountain got more snow this season: 160" versus 135" at Stevens Pass. Crystal Mountain also averaged 1.7"/storm-day.
Stevens Pass is the easier trip — about 1.5h from SEA (Seattle), versus 1.75h from SEA for Crystal Mountain.
Best for
Crystal Mountain — chasing the biggest totals — it out-snowed Stevens Pass this season.
Best for
Stevens Pass — Ikon pass holders who want the whole trip planned before booking.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelCrystal Mountain
Local intel is still being compiled for Crystal Mountain.
Stevens Pass
US 2 access unreliable during major storms; check WSDOT closures before traveling.
FAQ
Does Crystal Mountain or Stevens Pass get more snow?
Crystal Mountain got more snow this season: 160" versus 135" at Stevens Pass. Crystal Mountain also averaged 1.7"/storm-day.
Is Crystal Mountain or Stevens Pass easier to get to?
Stevens Pass is the easier trip — about 1.5h from SEA (Seattle), versus 1.75h from SEA for Crystal Mountain.
Which has the more accurate snow forecast, Crystal Mountain or Stevens Pass?
StormDrop shows the raw NWS forecast for both Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass and does not grade it. Six winters of NWS-against-SNOTEL checking found no per-mountain bias we can honestly correct (it turns on an unresolved snow-measurement question), so we show the number NWS publishes and tell you that is what it is.
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