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.


  
Picture from Cle Elum Tournament, 1920s.