Fodor's Expert Review Alta Crystal Resort

This small resort with family-friendly amenities feels remote yet is very close to Mt. Rainier's Sunrise entrance and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort; suites feature fireplaces and full kitchens, and the property has a year-round outdoor pool and hot tub, sports field, and a recreation center. The 23 suites are in three chalet-style buildings. Each has a bedroom on the main floor and a fireplace; larger suites also have an open loft accessed by ladder stairs, with a bed and additional bathroom. Three stand-alone cabins on site offer more privacy—the Hawthorne log cabin overlooks a creek and sleeps two adults and two kids on sofabed; the Tahoma is the largest cabin on the resort property, with two bedrooms, and sleeps four adults and two kids; and the Creekside has its own private hot tub. For even more privacy, the River View and White River Bend cabins are off-site by the White River and have their own hot tubs, plenty of sleeping options, and full access to resort amenities. The resort has a mini-grocery store, extensive rental movie library, snowshoe and bike rentals, and limited Wi-Fi throughout. In summer, nightly activities include bonfires, barbecues, movie nights, wilderness bingo games, and even karaoke.