SNORTING_ELK_50th logo finalCelebrating Home Spun Memories, Old and New, Making this a Season to Remember….

We are celebrating our 50th Anniversary by honoring the home spun memories made in the Alpine Inn and Snorting Elk Cellar. Help us revisit memories throughout this season by gathering good times of all seasons past so we can reminisce together.


 How it all began….

Construction of the Alpine Inn. Photo Courtesy of Anne Corrock

Construction of the Alpine Inn. Photo Courtesy of Anne Corrock

In 1961, the dream of Crystal Mountain began. Jack and Lila Corrock were founding stockholders and volunteer fundraisers for the new ski area, proudly selling the most stock. Crystal Mountain opened in 1962.

Following the creation of Crystal Mountain, a need for overnight lodging on the hill began. With their Austrian experience, passion for skiing and Jack being a builder by trade, the idea of building a hotel at Crystal Mountain was hatched. Ten families, all avid skiers, formed a partnership and created the Alpine Inn Hotel, opening in 1964. The slogan was, “Built for Skiers, by Skiers”. The Alpine Inn Restaurant and the Snorting Elk Cellar opened in 1965. Jack and Lila ran the hotel, restaurant and bar for the next four years.

In 1966, wanting to get back to skiing, Jack and Lila handed the management of the whole operation off to Leopold (Leo) and Maureen (Mo) Scheiblehner and bought the first lot at the top of the T-Bar at Gold Hills from Ward Meeks.

The Snorting Elk Cellar circa 1996. Photo Courtesy of the Snorting Elk

The Snorting Elk Cellar circa 1996. Photo Courtesy of the Snorting Elk

In 1995, Jack and Lila as President of Alpine Inc., along with the partners, sold the Alpine Inn, Alpine Inn Restaurant and the Snorting Elk Cellar to the Snorting Elk LLC when Leo and Mo retired.

The Snorting Elk LLC is made up of family and friends, all long time skiers at Crystal Mountain, from the Seattle area.  The Quicksilver Lodge was purchased by the Snorting Elk LLC in 1996. The Village Inn was purchased in 1997, rounding out their collection of hotels, now operated under the umbrella of Crystal Mountain Hotels.


Great details in Alpine Inn & Snorting Elk history include the story of the Auger Award and the Left Handers Club. Both are vital, and rather entertaining, parts of Snorting Elk history! Check out the articles and pictures here:

Auger Award

Left Handers Club 


During the 2014-2015 Ski Season, we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the the Alpine Inn and Snorting Elk Cellar! Throughout this coming season we will be hosting parties at the Snorting Elk to commemorate 50 years of memories and good times at the Alpine Inn, the Alpine Inn Restaurant and the Snorting Elk Cellar.

We extend an invitation to everyone who has had fond memories old or new at the Alpine Inn, the Alpine Inn Restaurant or the Snorting Elk Cellar, to send in stories, pictures and videos of your memories. It can be any season or occasion: elk parties, shotskis, wedding, anything! We want to see and hear about your fondest memories in this place we love! Your submissions can help us reach our goal of collecting stories and photos of the Alpine Inn’s great history! With these submissions, a slideshow may be made and shown in the Snorting Elk and during our celebratory parties!

Time to Celebrate!

Parties at the Elk will include Live Music and special 50th Anniversary memorabilia

January 30th, 2015
March 27th, 2015
August 1st, 2015
December 26th, 2015

 How to Participate:

Email us : groupsales@crystalhotels.com

Facebook: Post to the Snorting Elk facebook page OR post to the Crystal Mt Hotels – Alpine Inn, Quicksilver Lodge & Village Inn

Comment on this blog post with stories and memories

*Crystal Mountain Founders Club 2014 Summer Celebration at Crystal Mountain
[Program].(2014) (N.P.): Crystal Mountain Founders Club
*Ernest, S. (2000). Family Finds rooms for growth at Crystal Mountain. 
Puget Sound Business Journal, 40A-40A.
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