A MUST when visiting Mt. Rainier / Crystal Mountain resort - it was the perfect way to admire what the wifey had just accomplished, running down the gigantic mountain, the ride up is about 10 - 15mins, all worth it!!! breath taking views of Mt. Rainier, do dress accordingly, it was pretty windy and about 10 degrees colder up on the mountain. there is a restaurant/restrooms observation chairs and a beer garden at the top! but the view!!! stunning, the greens/whites/ snow peak colors with the sky blue in the background. as usual parking could be hit or miss, they do have several parking lots but the closest one to the gandola ( the paved one ) is on the smaller side, they have other lots designated by letters ( which also unpaved ) Info on Gondola here: https://www.crystalmountainresort.com/things-to-do/activities/mt-rainier-gondola read more

Came for the day while friends skied. Beautiful, sunny and gorgeous! Snow already melting - this is the last day of the season. Gondola tickets $54 each and you get 2 round trips. read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

I just completed the Mt Rainier Half Marathon, which involved a gondola ride up to the start line and running down the mountain. Each gondola fits up to 8 people and gives a fairly decent amount of time to enjoy the scenery going up. Look carefully and you may spot some wildlife! At the top, it was absolutely breathtaking. While it was super windy and at times felt like I was going to be blown off the mountain, you arrive to a spectacular view of Mt Rainier that is absolutely worth stopping for a photo op. Also at the top are the Summit House restaurant with a beer patio and some restroom facilities. While it was expensive for the summer ticket ($50 per adult) they were offing a BOGO 50% off the second ticket so that made it easier to swallow. read more

We came here on a Monday, and there's no wait at all to hop on one of the looping gondolas. The gondola takes you on a 13 minute ride up the mountain. At the summit there's a restaurant (Summit House) and a gift shop, and of course, spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. There are also hiking trails. After your visit, hop back on one of the gondolas to return to the parking lot. Overall, a wonderful experience for young and old alike. read more

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The gondola is a fantastic way to see Mt. Rainier up close if you either can't go all the way up to the National Park, want to go with your dog, or have small kids or elderly family members where mobility may be a challenge. I do think it's a bit pricey, but worth it to do it once. For your once ticket you get to go up/down twice. If you book a few days in advance there is a slight discount in price too. The view is picture perfect up at the top! read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - View at the top, dog friendly! - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

It was a bit of a drive to get here but it was all worth it! The resort was pretty quiet that day we visited. When you scan your ticket and they issue you this little credit card size pass that you get to keep as souvenir. I thought the price was fairly reasonable since you get to go on two round trip rides. The gondola ride was enjoyable! It was about a 10+ minute ride. As soon as we got to the top of the mountain and the gondola doors opened... you get the amazing view of Mt. Rainer!!! It was so beautiful! You also get a glimpse of Mt. Saint Helen. Friendly staff all around. Food and drinks were available at the top of the mountain. Overall it was an awesome experience! read more

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Crystal Mountain Resort has a wonderful gondola that is also available in summer! We went with our two dogs (dogs ride free) and had a blast despite the weather being abysmally cold. There were few people which made the trip all the more accessible for us to bring our pups and show them more of the mountain. You do have to go outside of Mt. Rainier park as it is not on the state park grounds so make sure to bring your receipt if you're staying in the park so you can get back in. The view was a little obscured because of the fog (June gloom) but still amazing. Great little side quest for those with pups who want to see the mountains still (a little pricey $50/person for a two way trip). read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - gondola view - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

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My first ever Gondola ride was here! Paaaaayr! It was fun, like so much fun especially if doing it with your loved ones. Came here two times in a span of less than a week. First with my bandit then the second time around with family. If you're around Washington, you gotta do this and ride the fun. Warning! The ride going up the top ain't the best you could have seen. Ticket is quite expensive (unless you got a military discount it would be a great help). Riding alone can be so boring too. But as a first timer on this, this was actually fun, it would be nice too if you share the fun with somebody. On the second time we hop with the family, the gondola stop for about 20mins. when we are going down. It was a bit petrified and my poor bandit started to panicked (he's afraid of heights btw). The gondola was swaying and it wasn't a nice feeling hanging up there. Lol. But other than that it was still fun and we arrive the bottom line safe and sound. The view on the top is beautiful but too bright and sunny. Make sure to bring hat and pat some sunscreen before going here. Mahalo for reading and happy juandering fellow yeeps! read more

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Well...a new view of Ranier....at 7000ft. This time we arrived in a Gondola instead of s car or a plane!Fantastic. So is the gondola experience. At the top is a restaurant with a limited but adequate menu. Hiking options abound. $44 adults. $29 seniors. Kids under 4 free. read more

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How have I lived in the PNW and not experienced this gondola?! After research, I found purchasing online offers Discount tkts which is worth it at $40+ a ride RT Gorgeous views and perhaps areas of snow depending on the time of year visiting I was lucky to encounter a wedding at the top during my visit! Dogs are welcome too on a lead read more

I've always enjoyed a good gondola ride, so while passing through we decided to drive up and see about this one. The drive up is beautiful, and there was plenty of parking available. We arrived at 9:30am on Saturday, and the place was fairly empty. I'd noticed on their site the mention of saving money by purchasing online. So when we got to the top and service was better I tried, but unfortunately the price was the same online as in person. So we bought a ride and waited a few minutes for the opening at 10am. The gondolas looked super clean, as were the grounds. Personally I loved seeing that pups are allowed to ride too, and there were plenty of furry friends in line. At 44$ a person we were prepared to feel we'd wasted some cash, but honestly the cost was worth it. The ride was amazing...especially on the clear day we lucked into. We spotted some coyotes running through the trees on our way up, and of course the 360 views were out of this world. At the top, well you feel like you're at the top of the world. The views are simply epic. We spent an hour wandering and taking in the sights from every aspect. At 11:30 we decided to take advantage of the clear day and grab a bite at the Summit Restaurant as well. We spend a lot of time in the mountains on trails with amazing views, so the husband was a bit negative about the need to waste time and cash riding up. But in the end he agreed we'd made a wise choice...Highly recommend! read more

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This is a gorgeous view of Mt Rainier. We just wanted to get a great view of the mountain without really skiing/hiking. We came up in April and the entire area was still covered in tons and tons of snow. Make sure you dress warmly (by that Mean for 10-20 degree weather). There is a small cafe with coffee as well as a restaurant at the top if you get there early enough. Just make sure you leave enough time to be able to check this place out if you do want to eat. Tickets are pretty steep $45 bucks a person for an adult. Definitely something I would do once, but not necessarily repeat. IG: QueenOfAdventureNYC read more

This was the second time this year we've taken the gondola and it's a little pricey but a really nice experience. However, we ate at the restaurant at the top for the first time and I was so disappointed. The menu is very limited and very overpriced. I had the watermelon salad assuming it was a salad with watermelon in it but, no, it was watermelon chunks with feta cheese on top! And not a place to allow pets, which they do. read more

We had the absolute BEST experience. Matthew needs a raise. Probably the best person we could have ran into. ROLL TIDE!! read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - mt rainier in the back! - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

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Arriving at this Crystal Mountain Resort, I didn't expect much. It was authentically rustic, not rustic by design, the men's bathroom worse than a stadium bathroom at an ACDC Concert. The gondola line did go fast, even on a Saturday in July. It was all kind of blasé until the gondola reached the top. I turned around and witnessed a visage that blew my mind. Mt Rainier loomed in the distance, unreal, almost like a stage set. It was a wonder, and I'm jaded, having traveled extensively for more than 60 decades. The view forces you to linger, to glance at the mountain one more time. Did I see what I thought I saw? The experience will remain indelibly etched on my consciousness forever. read more

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For me, the ride up was not as scenic as I read about. The cost is quite expensive and to me it was not worth the money to get to the top. The view is nice but there are so many better places for a view. If you're not mobile and need an alternative to any type of walking around to see a good view, this might be an option for you. But for most people, I don't think it's worth it. read more

For a fantastic splurge, allow yourself to be whisked up 2400 feet in about 12 minutes. These gondolas glide steadily up an extremely steep hillside, elevating your scope rapidly. As if the 360 degree views of lush peaks and valleys aren't enough, Mount Rainier - that crowning jewel - greets you at the top. A row of chairs lines the ridge, encouraging people to soak up the view. They even have a container of poles people can borrow on their hikes or walk-abouts. The gondola line moves quickly, as there are so many and they can accommodate 4-6 people in each one. I removed a star for two things up top. We waited in line for more than a half hour at the outdoor café, and then another 20 minutes for our food. Naturally, there was also a line for tables. The deck is ringed with flowers and the views of Mount Adams and Rainier are fantastic. But, I'll be packing food next time. Between the crush of people and steep prices, it wasn't worth it. They provide plenty of picnic tables a little farther down. Also, the are too few stalls in the women's bathroom and only one sink. So, plan on waiting in long lines there, too. read more

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A fun experience with the most fantastic of views. We were showing visiting relatives the PNW beauty that is Mt Rainier. We were there in August and the amount of ladybugs was insane!! We were being swarmed the entire time, almost. read more

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Located at Crystal Mountain Resort. A little pricey, but worth the view! I would recommend looking at the webcams and weather before hand so you can see if it is clear enough to see Mount Rainier at the top. They do have a restaurant at the top when you arrive. Again, it is pricey, but it is also a tourist spot. We went during all seasons - Fall, Spring, Summer, & Winter. Some place I would recommend to see if you are in Washington. read more

If you aren't looking to ski, or it's summer and skiing isn't available, this is a must for hikers and those who just love the great outdoors. The gondola ride itself is lovely and provides beautiful views of the valley. Get to the top and Rainier is only 14 miles away, and right in front of you. Beautiful! Simply magnificent! If it is a clear day you can see Mount St. Helens off to the left, in the distance. Mount Adams is also a fine sight to see along with the mountain range to your right. So many people up there just to hike the ski trails with and without their dogs! And the food was a short list, but very tasty! This is absolutely worth the time and the money. Even the drive up was peaceful and relaxing. Check out Sweet Adventures online for other things to do while up at the resort. If you get bored, it's your own fault. read more

"The view of the summit never gets old" - honestly odds are you'll never be able to enjoy a view from the summit so this is one of a few ways to catch a glimpse of something majestic. Sometimes it's about the journey and as cool as the ride up is, the magic is at the top, unfortunately the haze obstructed the view during my visit but the crowds were still in awe with what stood before us - image if this was the only opportunity you ever had to witness greatness because you live thousands of miles away and the decision to go was nothing more than the flip of a coin, heads you buy the ticket and take the ride or tails you pass and hope for a better day, one that may never come. I bought the ticket and believe me the ride was amazing and although the view was less than I had hoped it would be, I did it and now it's mine forever, I own it. The gondola is just a means to get here or there, so if your itinerary is somewhat confusing and the destination was only to ride a gondola or to view the summit of Mt. Rainer or merely to drink at beer at 6,872 feet it's good to know you accomplished your mission. If you accidentally took a right to get here when you should have driven straight then fate may have other plans for you and your adventure is just beginning. This could be your life changing moment so roll the dice... read more

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Pictures really do not do justice. The view of Mt. Rainier is so amazing!! You can see it so closely here. In photos, it looks like the mountain is still pretty far away. But really, the view up here is soo pretty, and the mountain looks massive. Parking wasn't an issue when we came around 1:30 p.m. on a Saturday. Free parking. The parking spaces are small, and the parking lot lanes are super narrow though. My car is pretty small, and I felt like I could barely squeeze through the cars to exit the lot. I was in a group of two, so we usually rode with other people for a total of 6-7 people. There was almost no line to go up the gondola, but you have to wait longer to come back down. We didn't stay for the restaurant because a lot of people were waiting. This is a dog friendly place too; we saw so many dogs up there. It was definitely pretty crowded at the top, but you can still get all the pictures you need. I think it was worth the $24 roundtrip. The drive up here during the summer wasn't bad. Took 2 hours from Federal Way. The roads are narrow, but the scenery is really nice. You turn at the Crystal Mountain Resort Recreation Area sign and then drive up six more miles. After I drove like three miles up, I was starting to wonder whether I was even going to the right place because there aren't any signs... just lots of trees and a really high increase in elevation. But after six miles you should see the parking lot and resort buildings. read more

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Wow!!! The photos we took of Mount Ranier just do not do it justice. Amazing Views! It was so peaceful and serene. The Gondola line moved quickly, the staff was friendly and the ride to the top was quick and smooth. Once we reached the top it was breathtaking! We sat down in a couple of folding chairs and we didn't want to leave. Well worth the money. This is a bucket list moment. If you plan to visit stay for a while and bring lunch or eat at the Summit restaurant. read more

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This is my friends go to place to see mount Rainier. We went to the top of the summit in the Gondala ride. We made reservations prior. We have also been assigned a time slot as well. We went on a weekday so there was not much of a crowd but it was still packed with lot of skiers. At the top of the summit, we got a clear and direct view of Mount Rainier. It was an amazing feeling seeing the mountain from that close. It was majestic. There is a small restaurant on top of the summit and you can enjoy some tap bear as well. Overall an amazing location to see mount rainier. read more

Fantastic tourist activity where out of town guests can easily see Mount Rainier and the beauty of our mountains! Customer service with the ticket sales and loading the gondola has always been quality. My only complaint is that there isn't too much new to do every year. I wish they would consider blazing some new trails or offering some summer activities up top to make it a new/different experience each year. read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - Mount Rainier views -- sometimes clouds don't cooperate!! - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

Beautiful! The Mount Rainier Gondola is located at the Crystal Mountain ski resort. Despite the name "Mt. Rainier Gondola" this is not located right on Mount Rainier itself but oh wow oh wow do you get an amazing view once you are up top where the gondola ends at the ski slope. The ride on the gondola is gentle and very easy to get on and off. Even so there are lots of tourists here that seem confused as to what they should be doing or how to board. So it's a good thing that there is very helpful staff to keep the line down and maintain an efficiency. I'm sure this is significantly magnified during the winter months but it's pretty busy here in the summer as well. Even with the staff on the way up the mountain the gondola stopped twice... apparently of passenger boarding issues. I suppose that's normal but I haven't ridden gondolas precisely like this one. The ones I have been on were more boxy and could hold a lot of people while these are much smaller and hold about up to six people. There is a gondola car coming all of the time here so it's never really very long of a wait to actually board on one here which is very nice. The view all the way up to the top is fantastic! Coming here in the summer... mainly in July reduces the chances of a lot of overcast and you get to get some great views in. I know the main thing with gondola and Crystal Mountain is for winter and snow activities but I had my fill of snow coming from Wyoming and preferred to come here in the summer. At the top there is a restaurant and you can hike around a bit if you so choose. I definitely recommend wearing shoes with at least some kind of tread. I wore tennis shoes that didn't have much because they were definitely made for the street and did some slipping and sliding up top but they do have walking sticks which help some. The fee to ride the gondola in the summer is $ 24 but you can get an all day pass for $ 36 and you can go up and down on the gondola as much as you want. If you like snow time activity I'm sure this is a great place to come in the winter but it's gorgeous in the summer with the views. It's a perfect place to bring friends or family that are out of town... or out of state... a great way to show off the beautiful state of Washington that we live in! read more

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Came here twice once in summer and once in winter. Both equally amazing but both times the restaurant at the top was closed. On the winter trip we were able to grab a drink at the bar though. Gondolas were clean. read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

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The day I went, the resort was offering spring skiing which used the same gondola as those for riders for the view. This made selecting a timed ticket pointless and the line was wrapped around the resort. Once getting up to the top it was very chaotic as there wasn't really any space to just enjoy the view. Skiers were all over, the resturant was right in the middle and people were confused on how it worked and there wasn't a dedicated space to sit or stand to enjoy the view. The view itself was incredible and the gondola ride was relaxing and beautiful read more

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So we drove up with large group of people website said it was open after 2 1/2 hour drive we got here and they are not open their website is too lazy to explain that they were very rude to us told us we should've been more educated since we were out of town read more

Amazing! Great accommodation to the top of the Mountain!!! Simply awesome views from the Gondola going up and down. What an adventure it was. Went twice in a week while visiting. Can't wait to go back! The views from the Summit was wicked, looking at the mountain tops of the Cascades and Mt. Rainier. Took a lot of pics and videos. Liked it a whole lot!!! read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - View from top of the mountain. - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

I went skiing at crystal today and I took this gondola! It has some great views. The runs that the gondola leads to are all blues/ blacks, not great for beginners. I consider myself an intermediate and the runs were doable. If you take the runs around the back side of the mountain there are some gorgeous views. A word about crystal mountain (because there is not a yelp location for here): Large mountain with some great runs. They have some pretty challenging blues which I liked. The runs weren't super well groomed but it was still a great day of skiing! Some tips/ things to note about crystal: - leave early! I left Seattle (cap hill) at 7:15 and the traffic was BRUTAL. Took 3 hours to get there. The parking was completely full when we got there. They tried to send us home, but we sort of hung out for a bit, but then one of the car directors managed to get us a spot. So glad he got us in! One silver lining of getting turned away from crystal due to lack of parking is that you get a free lift ticket! This feels like a consolation prize of 3 hours of driving though, so I'm glad we got a spot. - crystal has a lot of flat areas on their slopes. Not fantastic for snow boarders! I found myself having to strap in and out a lot. read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - View from the top of the crystal mountain where the gondola drops off! - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

The gondola ride is nice and smooth and allows dogs. The views at the top are breathtaking. So are the hikes down! We were planning on taking the easy trail but because nothing is marked ended up on a pretty steep service rode with lots of slippery loose gravel. It is a long, strenuous hike down, and I strongly recommend you grab one of the complimentary walking sticks. I didn't. I am totally out of shape, and I survived it - though I could barely walk for 4 days afterward. Thankfully, my bottom is well padded because I slipped and fell on it several times. Oh well - It was worth it. My kids and the gondola riders enjoyed several good laughs at my expense. We had a yummy lunch on the dog-friendly patio of the Summit House restaurant. Will definitely be back but may ride the gondola down next time! read more

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Much fun! A very quiet and peaceful ride. Was $129 for 3 people. The restaurant at the bottom is awful, very unfriendly service the guy hates his job, but a very nice restaurant and snack area at the top. Plenty of space to walk around and explore at the top. read more

$22 to ride the gondola round trip. There is pretty much nothing to do at the top, which would be fine on a clear day, but on the day that we went there was no visibility of Mount Rainier. I understand that this is not something that they can control, but it would be nice if there was something to do up top to entertain yourself while you wait for the weather to clear. There is a small restaurant and a small gift shop but that's about it. The gondola itself is nice - clean, efficient, etc. Note: It's freezing up top. Bundle up! read more

I have always loved skiing at Crystal and now I have a reason to go in the summer. The new gondola should be at the top of the list for everyone; especially if you're looking for a place to wow your guests. On a nice day the views are amazing, with Mt Rainier there is all its glory, and further south Mt Adams and Mt St Helens. Don't assume that cloudy weather in Seattle means bad weather in the mountains; give a call. It was almost raining when we left Seattle and yet a beautiful sunny day at Crystal. The restaurant on top reminds me a bit of the Eagles Nest by Königsee at Berchtesgaden, and the best part is the prices are actually not bad. If you can, book your tickets online a week before to get a discount. read more

it's a nice ride up for 30 bucks takes about 10 mins oh so, the resturant at the top prefer credit because they dont have change or much or it. here's a point nothing to do with the food which was okay I have a pretzel and a pork sandwinch, wheres the hot dogs and nachos. Also this has nothing to do with the food or ride does anyone clean the tables up there , or has spray available to wipe down the table between customers or from birds stuff. read more

Wow. This new 10-minute, 2,500 vertical foot gondola ride to Crystal Mountain's summit is spectacular and a new destination for my out-of-town visitors. The ride is stunning and the breathtaking view of Mt. Rainier and foothills and Cascade Range is second to none. You just can't get a better experience than this of the mountain, especially for a diverse group of ages and those with mobility issues. The Summit House, a restaurant at the top open for lunch and dinner (we didn't have reservations for lunch and got in, but dinner was booked solid for weeks), is an added treat. The Townsend chipmunks are entertaining, especially for kids, and did I mention the views? read more

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A great place to see Mount Rainer, if you want to see it pretty up close without any hiking. This gondola ride is closed for now until ski season. But it's a must-see! Scenic ride over meadows, there are also restaurants and gift shop atop. Soak in all the views of Mt. Rainer and the Cascade Range from the sling back chairs they offer along the ridge. $22 per person There are also hiking trails along the gift shop! But didn't have time to check it out. Pet-friendly, great for kids and families. Each gondola cabin can hold up to 8 people, and each ride is 12 minutes. read more

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One of my favorite out of town guest experiences! I love seeing the reaction of friends & family when they experience the breathtaking views! read more

Mt. Rainier Gondola - Tours Near Me - Enumclaw, Washington

An easy ride up the mountain and absolutely stunning views. A few vendors with drinks and snacks as well as a restaurant quench your thirst and hunger pains. Trails to walk if you want to. Was a little pricey but overall worth jt . read more