Crystal Mountain, WA – After eight months of construction and two postponed openings the wait is finally over, as the first gondola to be installed at a Washington State ski resort opened this morning at Crystal Mountain.nThe cable splicing and load testing of the Mt. Rainier Gondola were successfully completed this week after cable stretching delayed the previous scheduled opening on Dec. 22. Crystal Mountain employees were able to test ride the new lift prior to today’s public debut.

“I rode up and down the gondola three times, it was such a breathtaking ride,” said Crystal Mountain Spokeswoman Tiana Enger.

Throughout the day today riders have been surprised by random prize cabins loaded with eight presents, enough for each passenger, from local outdoor brands and retailers including JanSport, Smith, UnderArmour, Outdoor Research, Marmot, Spacecraft, Crystal Mountain Lodging Association, Pow Gloves, Wapiti Woolies, Greenwater Outfitters, Evo, Sturtevants and more.

The Mt. Rainier gondola, completed at a cost of $5.5 million, rises 2,456 vertical feet from a base elevation of 4,400 feet to a top terminal at 6,856 feet. Initially, 17 eight-passenger cabins make the 6,901-foot trip in just under 10 minutes, and another 19 cabins are expected to be added to the cable sometime in the future.