Timeline: 1950's

1950

In March, Mary Lea Griggs, Tacoma civic leader, puts the finishing touches on proposal to the US Forest Service to develop a ski area at Corral Pass, south of present-day Crystal Mountain Ski Area. 

1950

Mary Lea Griggs leads winter scouting parties to Corral Pass. 

1951-53

Korean War stymies Corral Pass development-steel needed for the war effort is unavailable for ski lifts.

1954

In June, Reverend Leo Gaffney, a Seattle University pro­fessor, restarts Corral Pass Development Committee.

1955

In May, Corral Pass Inc. incorporates and starts fund­raising to study feasibility of ski area at Corral Pass.

Donald H. "Don" Amick becomes president of the board through 1957.

1955-58

Attention shifts in 1955 from Corral Pass south to Sil­ver Creek basin. Scouting and planning parties to the new location ensue.

1956

In November, Corral Pass Inc. formally changes name to Crystal Mountain Inc.

1957

Joseph E. "Joe" Gandy becomes president of the board through 1961.

1958

In April, the Board of Directors settles on "Silver-Six" at the head of Silver Creek as the site for what will become Crystal Mountain Ski Area.

The board recruits Melvin "Mel" Borgersen from its ranks to be the future ski area's general manager, a po­sition he holds until the summer of 1966.

1958

In July, the Forest Service issues a prospectus for "Crystal Mountain Area Development." Stipulat­ed construction parameters for the access road cost $350,000 more than anticipated by Crystal Mountain Inc ., which is unacceptable to the board.



In November, Forest Service agrees to issue a tempo­rary three-year permit to Crystal Mountain Inc. as dis­cussions about access road continue, enabling fund­raising to go forward.

Crystal Mountain Inc. issues first public offering of stocks and bonds, seeking to raise $850,000. Class A stock in the company is exchanged for ski passes, termed the "lift privilege." By July 1959, the stock and bond issue is oversubscribed, with investment from 824 families in thirty-six commu­nities of Washington.

1958-60

Crystal Mountain Inc. carries our public-relations campaign to convince the state Highway Commission and US Bureau of Public Roads to add the access road to the forest highway system, thus shifting some of the cost of construction and maintenance to the public. Governor Albert D. Rosellini and Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Henry Jackson are key allies.

1958-62

Volunteer work parties ramp up, with regular week­end trips to an old miner's cabin for trail clearing and other construction.