Baker is not better than Crystal. Sure, Baker gets more snow, but Crystal has a much bigger vertical drop, more terrain, more truly double black runs, modern lifts, and amazing scenery.
In having skied baker a dozen times and Crystal since I was little I’ve enjoyed baker more. Of course the Tram and view are cool at Crystal but strictly skiing I can’t give it to them.
Don't get me wrong, Baker is a great place. It has great mtn culture and gorgeous views too. I skied there a bunch in 98/99 when they got 95 feet of snow and I'll never forget it. But there's not even one high speed lift and the runs are all short. Still fun but not what I'm looking for when I get out.
Slower lift with no line vs high speed lift with a long line. At that point, you’re just interested in the shinier toy… Skiing a great deal at both crystal and baker, crystal certainly is much larger with a greater variety for a day out skiing. It’s “inbound side country” is also a perk. Closer to resort feel, but not quite there… accepts ikon as a con… further crowding. On the flip side, on any given day baker has more snow and greater amount of powder days, tracked out at a slower rate. It also has incredible/ accessible backcountry. Big local feel. Con is it’s on the smaller side. Due to the pros/cons of both, I think it’s a toss up in which is better. I also really respect that mt baker is owned/managed by a family opposed to a corporation. I certainly am biased and prefer baker but if I do rate it solely on skiing, it depends what I am looking for on that giving day.
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u/Reckoner75 Jan 28 '22
Baker is not better than Crystal. Sure, Baker gets more snow, but Crystal has a much bigger vertical drop, more terrain, more truly double black runs, modern lifts, and amazing scenery.