Crystal is good but it's a complete f*ckin' zoo. The entire population of The Greater Puget Sound Area is crammed into that place every weekend. I would never, ever ski there on a holiday or a weekend....unless you like having to stand in line to ski down the mountain. Gondola, Schmondola. Those c*cksuckers actually make you pay extra to ride their stupid cable car, which is something I've never heard a ski area doing. As it is they want $75 per ticket, WITHOUT the stupid gondola pass. There is lodging available there, but I've never met anyone that's stayed there. In my younger days I was banging a resort employee but that was when they lived in singlewides. I don't think that's an option for you.

White Pass. Yes, White Pass is prolly the most pathetic excuse for a Ski Resort on the West Coast, but they did just double their acreage with a huge expansion. Yes, they're all Blue Square runs, but If you haven't skied in a long time, you need to brush up, right? Forget about lodging. Best you'll do is down in Yakima or at that dump down in Packwood.

Mount Hood Meadows is another great place with lots of terrain, but it has the same problem Crystal has. On weekends and holidays, the entire City of Portland is there and every last one of them is a 19 year old wearing some clown suit on a snowboard he had no control over whatsoever.

Mission Ridge has nice terrain but their lifts date from the 1790's. That and they can get the schitty end of the stick when it comes to total snowfall. Staying in Wenatchee makes for a short drive up the next day.

Whistler is World Class. Debatably the best resort in North America. No shortage of hotels after the Olympics.

Stevens- Lots of Terrain. The Stay in Leavenworth/Ski Stevens plan I was going to attempt this winter. It's too far from Oly for a day trip. Check out their website for their trail map. There's a Super 8 or something like it in Leavenworth.

Mt Baker gets tons of good reviews but its way up by Bellingham. Why not drive another hour up to Whistler? Oh yeah your DUI...I forgot, sorry.

Place to make a big trip out of:

Sun Valley. The Original. Awesome. Insanely expensive. If you have never been there stay at the lodge once for the experience. Hang out with washed-up gold medalists and celebs by the pool. Eat Sunday brunch in the ballroom. After that, save a few grand and stay at the Motel 6 right across from the ski area.

Alta in Utah. No Snowboarders Allowed. What could be better?

Banff, Alberta--More skiing than you can shake a stick at: Lake Louise, Sunshine & Mt. Norquay are a trifecta of ski orgasm within 20 minutes or so of Banff. Stay in Banff or save a few bucks and stay down the road in Canmore.
If you get a clear sunny day, head to Sunshine and ski along the Continental Divide in powder so light it feels like you're flying, or got to Lake Louise and literally get lost on the miles of runs. Either one you could ski for days and days and not hit every run. One thing--It gets cold up there. Not Cascades cold, that's for pussies. I mean middle of Canadian Rockies cold. Last time I was there it was MINUS 30...Fahrenheit! I wore wool longjohns and every shred of ski gear I had and still froze my ass off. After a long day of skiing you can soak in the many hot springs around the area.

BANFF:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n8NbElDXg4k/SfSH0toXLNI/AAAAAAAAA1c/A7Cs6fJp9F4/Banff+Springs0007.JPG




Hope that helps.