SEATTLE – Want to skip the lift lines at Crystal Mountain Resort this winter? Prepare to pay up.

While many residents in Western Washington struggle to adjust to the recent rainy weather, skiers in the area see it as a blessing. That’s because rain in the city usually means snow in the mountains.

When Chef Chris Barth opened his second Retro Bistro in Crystal Lake on June 15, he at first didn't realize the significance of the day. It happened to be when he and two partners opened the first ...