Crystal Mt. Could Have Earliest Opening In 30 Years

Great news for skiers and snow boarders, one local ski area could have its earliest opening day in 30 years. The snow is really coming down at Crystal Mountain, and this year the resort has some exciting new features.

The calendar may say October, but Sales and Marketing Director for Crystal Mountain Tiana Enger says winter has already arrived at the resort.

“With the early snowfall we're looking at a possible early opening, the earlier we can get open obviously the better,” said Enger.

According to Enger it has skiers and snowboarders anxious to hit the slopes.

“They're getting their bags packed already cause here things can happen really quickly in a matter of 24 to 48 hours you can go from having no snow to having enough snow to open,” said Enger.

Enger says the ski area could open in a matter of days, if Mother Nature picks up the pace. There’s about a foot and a half of snow up top right now, but just a few inches at the bottom.

“It looks like the forecast is calling for more snow which could mean a really early opening,” said Enger.

Work crews are hoping for a break in the weather, they’re still trying to complete the brand new Mt. Rainier Gondola the first of its kind in Washington State.

“In the final stages of completing the gondola construction we've got a Chinook helicopter scheduled to arrive November 1st we will fly towers into place when we get a weather window next week,” said Enger.

The gondola will take 8 passengers from the bottom of the mountain directly to the summit in just 9 minutes. Enger says something else that’s new this year a radio frequency identification system allowing skiers to swipe and go.

“It's a great way to save it's also a nice convenience to be able to preload that at home and bypass the ticket windows when you arrive here and go directly to the lifts. We can't wait to get the lifts open and I think a lot of people are really excited,” said Enger.

If Crystal is to open by the end of the month the base of the mountain will need another 3 feet of snow, on top another two feet. The new gondola is schedule to open the first week of December.

City Pulls Controversial Nude Artwork From City Hall

A piece of art deemed inappropriate by Gig Harbor City Leaders has been pulled from a South Sound art show. The piece in question is a photograph of a partially nude woman.

The Mayor of Gig Harbor and other City Officials became concerned since it was going to be displayed at City Hall. However, the show’s organizers feel the City overreacted to a tasteful piece of artwork.

For the last few years local artists have put their best work on display at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. But, at this year’s Peninsula Art League Show City Administrator Rob Karlinsey says things were a bit different.

“So, that's a kind of a new piece that the City hasn't had in City Hall before,” said Karlinsey

Karlinsey says the City had to remove the photo taken by a Seattle artist.

“Given the amount of traffic from the public that we get of all age groups we determined it wouldn't be appropriate to have it hung in City Hall when the public comes in,” said Karlinsey.

Instead, the photo is now on display at a local gallery. But, the President of The Peninsula Art League Anne Knapp says it belongs with the rest of the artwork.

“There is some buttocks showing, it's the back, it's nothing I would have a problem with,” said Knapp.

Karlinsey says the City feared children would see the partially nude photo.

“We didn't think it was appropriate for folks who aren't coming here to view art, they're coming here to conduct City business and other things,” said Karlinsey.

Anne Knapp disagrees.

“And, if the kids indeed saw it it's a teachable moment, a wonderful thing to say to children you know art is all about just expressing beauty,” said Knapp.

City Administrator Rob Karlinsey says the City wants to keep the annual art show at City Hall, but clothing isn’t optional.

“We could do that or we could just say no more art shows in City Hall if we're going to continue to have pieces like that are going to come in we may just say no more art in City Hall,” said Karlinsey.

PAL President Anne Knapp says it will comply as long as something is put in writing.

“The City doesn't have a written standard of what would be allowed or not allowed, so we felt a little blind-sided that it was suddenly pulled,” said Knapp.

The City says it’s working on criteria for future art shows. The current one will run until mid November at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. If you want see the partially nude photo it’s on display at the For Art Sake Gallery in Gig Harbor.

La Nina Means Good News For Skiers And Boarders This Winter In Cascades

Last year’s El Nino brought more rain than snow to the mountains and kept the skiers and boarders off the slopes. But, with record snowfall expected this winter from La Nina ski shops and local ski areas are banking on Mother Nature for a huge winter season.

Up high and down low crews at Snoqualmie Summit East are putting the finishing touches on two new chairlifts. They’re replacing the ones that got wiped out by a slide two years ago.

Summit Marketing Director Guy Lawrence says it’s a race to finish for them to get ready for what’s expected to be a cold and wet winter because of La Nina.

“The fact that we’re opening up new terrain, putting in these two new lifts and it's time for the La Nina season, for a marketing director you can't get much better than that,” said Lawrence.

Last winter El Nino was a big dud for local ski areas, warm conditions meant no snow.

In North Bend, Martin Volken with Pro Ski Service says his shop got wiped out by the lousy winter also.

“You know if it's a really bad season coupled with a bad economy maybe that all resulted in a 20 percent reduction in sales,” said Volken.

But, forecasters say this year’s ski season could be off the charts. Guy Lawrence says at Snoqualmie Summit skiers and boarders could be looking at a major snow pack.

“People have been paying attention to the fact that it is going to be a La Nina year and historically it's always favored us to a certain degree sometimes a lot,” said Lawrence.

Martin Volken says all of the excitement for a great ski season has skiers and boarders spending money again too.

“I think the economy is getting a little bit better and people have obviously caught wind of the weather predictions,” said Volken.

It’s not winter yet but at the Summit they’re already thinking snow and with new lifts plus La Nina Guy Lawrence says the place is buzzing.

“We're expecting more snow and as a result not surprisingly pass sales are up so that's great,” said Lawrence.

So far the Summit at Snoqualmie has seen a 6 percent increase in season pass sales. The area hopes to complete those two new chair lifts at Summit East by December.