just saw this on the Crystal website
If you wish to use the gondola midweek to ski tour and/or access the backcountry, you may do so but you are at your own risk (no ski patrol midweek). You’ll need to purchase a scenic gondola ticket for $20 and will be asked to sign a waiver before you board the gondola. This may require walking over dirt, mud and rocks to get back to the base area.