Cle
Elum Ski Hill - Summit Lodge
(Three-sided
shelter)
First
organized ski area west of Colorado! (1921-1934) Vertical Drop: Top: Base: Northern Pacific Railroad provided a tramway
through a coal mine shaft to get near the ski jumps. Fans were hauled by truck, then boarded mine
cars and hauled through the shaft by hoist. Others were pulled in sleds by tractor. 3 Ski Jumps Two Story Lodge, Long shed 12'x100' with
tables
and 6 stoves to prepare food. Note: Headed
by John Bresko, Cle Elum is said to be the first 'organized' skiing
west
of Denver Colorado.
100-400 people would be on the ski hill every
weekend through the winter.
At the time that skiing ended in Cle Elum Bresko
had to drop his plans for a big ski development which included
an arial tramway. The old Northwest
Improvement
Company of Northern Pacific was prepared to install the
tramway but the dream never became reality.
Bresko also had a plan in 1924 to purchase the government land
at the summit of Snoqualmie for a winter sports
area. The land was priced at $2.85/acre but the bank wouldn't
advance the money, claimed the lack of
transportation
would hold it back from being profitable. (later 4 ski areas
would be developed at Snoqualmie Summit).
1931 saw the largest crowd est. at 8,000
spectators.
The depression brought and end to the events in 1934 and
the end to skiing in Cle Elum. .
Operated by the Summit Ski Club of CleElum.
Located between CleElum and Teanaway, 3 miles
north of Kiwanis site
The Cle Elum ski area was said to have been conducting a freak
tournament
for some years. It included events like obstacle races and races in
costume,
and cash prizes were awarded.
More CleElum ski information from 1921 - 1934 can be found at the
Alpenglow
site here.