Preparations for the new $5.3million  gondola began Monday, April 26th at Cystal Mountain, with the demolition of the Market and Bumps Espresso stand, the site where the bottom terminal will be located.

The gondola will travel up Exterminator and finish at the top of the Rainier Express chairlift after passing through 13 lift towers. Construction is expected to be completed November/December 2010.

There are also plans in place to install a jib-focused Terrain Park off the Forest Queen chairlift next winter.

"The addition of the gondola is a big step towards becoming a year-round resort and recreation area," said Crystal spokeswoman Tiana Enger. "It will also take a little pressure off the winter months and create year-round jobs for employees."

Foot passengers will now be able to access the incredible Mt. Rainier vista and Summit House dining during the winter, as well as the summer months. Crystal executives hopes the gondola will become big attraction for those traveling to Mount Rainier National Park during the summer. "This is going to really change the way we position ourselves here in the Northwest," said Tiana Enger.

The gondola will allow Crystal to open earlier and stay open longer, expanding the winter season. Once the lifts shut down for the day during the winter, the gondola will provide access to the mountain-top restaurant for Après and dinner. Crystal plans to expand the Summit House restaurant the summer of 2012, including a bar, additional seating and possibly private meeting space.

There will be eighteen 8-passenger cabins, with the option of adding an additional eighteen cabins at a later time. The initial cabins will bring 450 people per hour to the summit in less than 10 minutes. The max uphill capacity once the additional cabins are added will be 900 people per hour.

For more information visit www.skicrystal.com/The-Mountain/Gondola