Down in Enumclaw we are whipped by wind and precipitation that feels as cold as snow but usually just falls as plain old rain this time of the year. But just 40 miles up the highway, Crystal Mountain Resort has been taking advantage of these cold conditions to create the white stuff which is a new capability just this year. Focusing on the Green Valley bowl, snow making system is in full force now, creating a base to enhance early season skiing. Kim Kircher, Crystal Mountain ski patroller and local author, writes in her blog from November 7, “the snow-making system has already started pasting glorious base-building snow across the top of Green Valley. In the evenings… my husband and I rode the gondola to check out the progress. After only ten hours of “blowing snow” the top of Greenback is already pasted with two feet of bullet proof base.” Visit with Kim for her book signing of “The Next 15 Minutes” to be held Saturday, December 17 in the Day Lodge at Crystal Mountain. Not only does the extra cushion help out in high traffic areas but it can also keep us all skiing longer at the end of the season. So go Crystal!