Sunrise Opening a Success for All

Vivian Cadematori of Alta Crystal Resort was one of many local bus-inesses and lawmakers who worked to get Sunrise open a week earlier than planned – and it looks like their efforts paid off.

Cadematori, who was at times was tough on the Mount Rainier Nat-ional Park staff, sent them a thank you email Sunday.

She explained how she drove up Saturday and the parking lot was full with motorcycles, bicycles and cars.

“Everyone was in a great mood, playing in the snow, going in and out of the Day Lodge, snowshoeing, ski touring and hiking the service road.  Your rangers were outside answering visitor questions, and people were having fun.  We spoke with several Washingtonians who were sincerely appreciative of the Park’s efforts, and were just excited to have Sunrise back again,” she wrote.

"We overheard conversations among people from Hawaii, California, Florida, England and Germany, and they were so excited to be able to go up and play in the snow, and soak in the awesome view.”

She mentioned how important it is for Sunrise to be open for out-of-town guests, who may be makingtheir only trip to the area in their lives.

“This past week, we had guests from California, West Virginia, Boston, Illinois, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan plus many other states – and even some guests from Germany.  They were so disappointed that Sunrise was not open.  They had read about Sunrise and its incredible views, and they just wanted to be able to go up there,” she wrote in an email to Patch. 

“We have something really special here, and it makes me sad that for many of them, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they missed.”    

She also explained how opening for the three-day Fourth of July week-end helped local business. At her own resort she had feared not selling out for this holiday for the first time in 14 years. She also heard vis-itors talking about going the gondola at Crystal Mountain and horse-back riding with Crystal Mountain Outfitters.

Cadematori explained how with Bob Grubb at Wapiti Woolies progress has been made at keeping Sunrise open in the fall.

“But this was the first time our whole community came together and I, too, was pleased with the result,” she said.