ARE YOU READY TO CELEBRATE?!
Join in the ribbon cutting party for the new Nordic Center lodge

Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade Project

The Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade & Connected Community Trails Project is part of the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Master Development Plan, a $1.5M plan that will upgrade the infrastructure to match the commitment and enjoyment community members and visitors get from coming to the Nordic Center. The Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Master Development Plan was adopted in 2021 as part of a 30 Year Special-Use Ski Area Permit with the Shasta-Trinity USFS.

The project includes construction of a new modular guest services lodge, a double vault toilet, interpretive signs, a maintenance area with two trailers, new ski rental equipment, a new snowcat groomer, a backhoe snow plow, and a new 5.6-mile section of Gateway Trail located on the Shasta-Trinity US Forest Service property. The trail will connect the Nordic Center to downtown Mt. Shasta via the Gateway Trail System.

IMPROVEMENTS will be complete
by December 2025

Project achievements and progress as of October 2025:

• New Guest Services lodge construction is nearly complete - by the season opening in December 2025, decks, stairs and ADA ramp will be installed

• Amenities in place include the double vault toilet, paved ADA parking and access ramp, off-grid power from solar panels and a generator

• A new fleet of skis, boots and poles will be available for rent from the warmth of the new rental center in the lodge

• Five miles of trails in the Gateway Trail System have been completed with funding from the California State Parks and Recreation/Regional Park Program grant

The project would not be possible without our partners. 

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

• California State Parks

• The McConnell Fund of the Community Foundation of the North State

• CA Jobs First - Catalyst 

• The Ford Family Foundation 

• North State Giving Tuesday donations

• The Nancy Driscoll Foundation 

• Individual donors 

Partners

• Shasta-Trinity US Forest Service

• Saturn Construction 

• Big Sky Solutions

• Mt. Shasta Ski Park

• Mt. Shasta Trail Association and Trail Labs Co

• Northgate Engineering

Business Sponsors

• Berryvale Natural Grocery  • International Park Advisors

• Timberworks • Friesen Group

• Mountain Medics • AGT CPAs & Advisors

• Shasta Yoga Institute • Streamwise

• Harkness Financial • Dragon Graphics

• Dr. Shanhong Lu • Shasta Mountain Guides

• Quercus Consultants • Gray Peak Operations

• The Zimmanck Family • Chitwood Energy Management

Project history

Fall 2024 Project Update:

As of early October 2024, these elements of the Facilities Upgrade are either completed or underway:

• Double Vault toilet installed at Nordic Center Trailhead - completed in November 2023

• Purchase of new Pisten Bully Snowcat Groomer - purchase made in December 2023

• One third of Nordic Center Rental Equipment upgraded - purchased in December 2023

  • Another third of our old inventory will be replaced in December 2024 thanks to a grant from the McConnell Fund of the Community Foundation of the North State

• Trail construction:

  • BMZ 14 segment construction completed in Spring 2024; opening anticipated in late fall 2024 after Forest Service inspection. This segment has been connected to the new Pioneer Trailhead on Mt. Shasta Boulevard as part of the Gateway II expansion

  • BMZ 13 (to connect BMZ 14 to the railroad tracks near Old McCloud Road) - on hold until timber sale is complete (construction could start in 2025 or 2026)

  • BMZ 8 and 9 (which connect the Huckleberry Loop at the Nordic Center to the Bear Springs Trail) - some brush clearing done in September 2024 and some parts of these trails are roughed in by trail construction company

• New Guest Services Lodge: Construction is underway as of late September 2024. Hoping to complete construction in time for the 24/25 Nordic season

• Nordic Center maintenance trailers: One new trailer purchased in December 2023

• Interpretive signage: Some initial planning and location scouting was done in summer 2024; installation to come in 2025

MT. SHASTA NORDIC CENTER FACILITIES UPGRADE PROJECT TOTAL IS $1.4M & WE ONLY NEED $280K TO FINISH THE FULL UPGRADE

In 2022, Siskiyou Outdoor Recreation Alliance was awarded a $1.1M California State Parks and Recreation/Regional Park Program grant for the Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade & Connected Community Trails Project. The funding provides for the new guest services lodge, double vault toilet, interpretive signs, maintenance area with two trailers, and the new 5.6-mile section of Gateway trail. This project is well underway, but we do have some more elements to fund. As of April 2024, we’re looking to raise an additional $280,000 for these remaining project components:

• complete purchase of the new snowcat groomer for trail grooming by paying off the groomer quickly to save SORA the cost of $40,000 in interest. 

• purchase equipment for clearing the Nordic Center parking lot

• complete the purchase to upgrade rental equipment

• Lodge furniture, cabinets and amenities

• Additional thinning of hazard trees along Nordic trails

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The objective of the project is to integrate the ski trail network and new lodge with the Gateway Trail System to create a year-round recreation destination. Additionally, the new lodge will create a more cohesive, functional, and easily-navigable user experience for the recreating public to better serve seniors, people with disabilities, and large school groups.

QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK? 

If you have questions about this project, please contact Justi Hansen at justi@siskiyououtdooralliance.org