Reeve Petersen was one of about 200 people stranded at Crystal Mountain on Thursday and Friday and he couldn’t have been happier.

“I heard the road might be open tomorrow,” Petersen said this morning after a powder run, “but secretly we’re hoping it’s not.”

Unfortunately for Petersen and fortunately for other skiers and snowboarders around the South Sound, State Route 410 was expected to reopen this evening. Downed trees forced the closure of the road between Federation Forest and Enumclaw early Thursday morning.

“It is awful,” Crystal Mountain spokeswoman Tiana Enger said, feigning distress. “All this powder and nobody to …

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UPDATE 8:40 a.m. – Just got a call from a skier at Crystal who said he has been told state Route 410 will remain closed and that skiers will have the mountain to themselves again today.

Downed trees on state Route 410 turned Crystal Mountain into a private ski area for about 200 people on Thursday. As an added bonus, they’ll have first crack at first tracks today because they likely spent the night, said ski area spokeswoman Justus Hyatt.

Hyatt said she was only aware of guests who stayed at the hotel or nearby cabins who were at the mountain. Hyatt worked from her Seattle home Thursday because she couldn’t get into work. A road closure warning was posted on the website at about 7 a.m., she said.

Note: Among the stranded skiers was News Tribune photographer Janet Jensen, who filed the photos in this post.

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UPDATE, 11:46 p.m. – Yong Kim was evacuated at 11 p.m. and was in good enough condition that he didn’t not need to travel to a hospital, park spokeswoman Lee Taylor said. Instead, he is going home.

UPDATE, 10:20 p.m. – Yong Kim was the second save in three days for one rescuer.

UPDATE, 10 p.m. – Just spoke with Stefan Lofgren at Mount Rainier National Park. He said Kim is out of the backcountry and awaiting snow cat transportation on closed Stevens Canyon Road.

Here is a statement released moments ago by the …

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While snow is making the three-day weekend a challenge for many motorists, it’s a treat for skiers and snowboarders. Although one popular snow destination, Mount Rainier’s Paradise, is closed today.

Crystal Mountain issued a powder alert this morning with 7 inches of fresh snow. The state’s largest ski area has received 19 inches of new snow in the last 48 hours.

White Pass is also prepping for a powder day with six inches of new snow and 17 inches in the past 48 hours. The Summit at Snoqualmie has four inches of new snow and Stevens Pass has five inches. …

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Crystal Mountain will show “Cars 2″ in its chapel Friday night at 7. The show is free for all ages and refreshments are made for purchase.

On Saturday, New Year’s Eve, the ski area will have a fireworks show at 9 p.m. A party will be held afterward at the Bullwheel for those 21 and older.

The ski area is open for skiing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

From Crystal Mountain:

Author Kim Kircher will be signing copies of her new book, “The Next 15 Minutes,” at Crystal Mountain Resort on December 17. The public book signing will be followed by a private reception with the author at the Bullwheel Restaurant and Bar.

“The Next 15 Minutes” is a memoir that takes readers on a wild ride of salvation, trying to find answers to a scary diagnosis on the ski slopes. She utilizes her training on the slopes to survive her most terrible crisis yet- waiting for a liver transplant to save her husband’s life.

Kim Kircher

…

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Here is an update on all things snow-sports releated, well almost all things:

Crystal Mountain: The lifts are running, at least the gondola and Green Valley left. The area opened at 9 this morning. The ski area has received 19-21 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours. Area officials announced Chinook Express, Discovery and Forest Queen lifts will open Saturday. This will allow access to beginner and more intermediate runs.

Paradise: The popular winter fun spot at Mount Rainier National Park has received 19 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours. Weather station data indicates there …

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Thanks to 11 inches of new snow, Crystal Mountain made it official this morning. The ski area will open at 9 a.m. Friday.

The Mount Rainier Gondola and Green Valley chairlift will operate 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Lift tickets will be $35 on Friday.

Skiing will be allowed only in the Green Valley area.

Additional terrain will open as the snowpack builds. Ski area officials hope to open Discovery, Chinook Express and Forest Queen Express chairlifts Saturday.

Mount Baker also will open Friday. The area will open both base areas and operate at least six chairlifts.

The Summit at Snoqualmie …

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