Crystal Mountain vs Stevens Pass
One calibrated, SNOTEL-backed look at snowfall, forecast accuracy, 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 accuracy grade | B 40% overpredict | C 45% overpredict |
| Calibrated season snowfall | 96" 24 storms | 75" 21 storms |
| Avg storm-day rate | 1.7"/day | 1.8"/day |
| Best storm | 76/100 Epic | 70/100 Epic |
| Verified storms | 220 SNOTEL-verified | 239 SNOTEL-verified |
| Community reports | — no local intel yet | 13 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 and NWS grades come from the same SNOTEL-verified data on each resort's own page. Blank or “pending” cells mean the data is still being verified — we never fill them with estimates.
The Verdict
Crystal Mountain has the more reliable NWS forecast — it grades B versus C at Stevens Pass, where NWS overpredicts snowfall by about 45%.
Crystal Mountain got more snow this season — 96" of calibrated snowfall versus 75" 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 calibrated numbers before booking.
Local Knowledge
TGR Community IntelCrystal Mountain
Local intel is still being compiled for Crystal Mountain.
Stevens Pass
March powder days with light, dry snow provide excellent conditions.
FAQ
Does Crystal Mountain or Stevens Pass get more snow?
Crystal Mountain got more snow this season — 96" of calibrated snowfall versus 75" 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?
Crystal Mountain has the more reliable NWS forecast — it grades B versus C at Stevens Pass, where NWS overpredicts snowfall by about 45%.
Keep Exploring
Don't book the wrong mountain
Calibrated forecasts · Storm alerts · Access planning · Local knowledge — for Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, and 74 other resorts.
Start 7-Day Free Trial — $500/yearNo card required to start · Cancel anytime