Mt. Shasta Nordic Center is opening a new amenity this season to welcome in skiers and snowshoers - a brand new guest services lodge. For years the Nordic Center has served guests with the seasonal yurt and outdoor rental unit. This season, visitors will have the pleasure of walking into a warm, cozy lodge with views of the mountain and an indoor rental center to get set up for a day on expertly groomed trails winding through trees to mountain views.
We’re looking forward to winter views from the snug interior of the lodge.
The new lodge is the centerpiece of the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade & Connected Community Trails Project, part of the larger Nordic Center Master Development Plan—a $1.5 million dollar effort adopted in 2021 under a 30-year special-use permit with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
As the only Nordic ski area between Lake Tahoe and Bend, Oregon, Mt. Shasta Nordic Center serves thousands of visitors and hundreds of school children each winter season. Over the past three years the Nordic Center’s Facilities Upgrade Project has secured a new Pisten Bully groomer, purchased a new fleet of rental skis, installed a double vault toilet and now, built a new lodge. Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance (SORA), which operates the Nordic Center, has been able to do this with grant funding from state agencies and private foundations, as well as generous donations from community members.
When the new lodge opens in December 2025, visitors will step inside a warm space framed in wood and mountain views and then step directly onto trails that lead into the trees and toward Mt. Shasta’s alpine views. The Nordic Center has been dialing in its grooming since the purchase of the new snowcat in December 2024 and now confidently offers meticulously groomed trails.
“It has taken 20 years of community effort to achieve the vision of this magical place,” said Dave Tricamo, longtime supporter of the Nordic Center and SORA board president. “First we achieved the product, which is great grooming, and now we have achieved the place for folks to hang out with other Nordic skiers.”
The grooming crew gets the best views! You can too!
At Mt. Shasta Nordic Center, you’ll find breathtaking views, 14.6 miles of groomed ski trails and 2 miles of snowshoe routes, and a relaxed atmosphere that lets you truly unwind. It’s more affordable, less crowded, and every bit as spectacular—without the chaos, crowds and prices of big resorts.
The new lodge and supporting facilities are more than just upgrades—they’re invitations. Families learning to cross-country ski for the first time will find a welcoming environment. Seniors will discover easy access to nature and movement. School groups will experience outdoor education in a living classroom. And advanced skate and classic skiers will find pristine trails.
Mt. Shasta Nordic Center is located one mile below Mt. Shasta Ski Park on Ski Park Highway, just a few miles east of Interstate 5. The Nordic Center offers day passes and rentals, lessons, special events, youth programs and season passes. You can book any of those services on the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center website. Season passes can be purchased there as well, with early bird pricing available until December 1st. Keep an eye out for the announcement of opening day on Mt. Shasta Nordic Center’s Facebook and Instagram pages or sign up for the email on the Nordic Center’s website.
The project would not be possible without our partners and funders. Together, these investments are transforming Mt. Shasta Nordic Center into a vibrant, four-season destination that strengthens the local economy, supports healthy living, and celebrates the outdoor spirit that defines the North State.
Funders for the Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade Project include: California State Parks, The McConnell Fund of the Community Foundation of the North State, California Jobs First - Catalyst Program, The Ford Family Foundation, North State Giving Tuesday donations, The Nancy Driscoll Foundation and individual donors. Our partners in making this vision happen are: Shasta-Trinity US Forest Service, Saturn Construction, Big Sky Solutions, Mt. Shasta Ski Park, Northgate Engineering and Mt. Shasta Trail Association working with Trail Labs Co.
Learn more about the full Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade Project and its history on the project page.
Thank you to all of our partners, funders, community supporters and longtime supporters to moving this vision forward to create an outstanding Nordic ski facility for all to enjoy.
