Ski Areas Are Keeping Open

Union-Bulletin

Walla Walla, Washington
November 17, 1946
WASHINGTON AP – The national park service closed the door Saturday against winter use of Yellowstone, Glacier and Teton parks, but promised snow sports on a prewar basis in half a dozen other areas.

As in past winters, the most elaborate skiing development will be at Mt. Rainier, Yosemite, Crater Lake and Sequoia, in that order.

The park service, in a summary of its winter plans, announced that Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks, in Montana and Wyoming, are outside the winter-use development program “at this time” because of:

Distances from centers of population.

The “very expensive” installations that would be required.

Severe climate and unfavorable snow conditions.

Negligible demand for winter use.

For similar reasons of climate and distance, winter use of Mt. McKinley national park in Alaska will not be attempted. The army operated McKinley park hotel as a major winter sports camp during the war.

Rainier Most Popular

By far the most popular winter sports park is Mt. Rainier, which drew 140,000 winter visitors, principally from Seattle and Tacoma, in 1940-41, and 102,000 last winter.

“For this winter,” the report said, “the national park service proposes to keep the road open to Paradise valley, to operate the NPS ski lodge (capacity 100) and possibly Paradise lodge (capacity 80), and a cafeteria.

“Pending procurement of funds for installation of a modern tow at Paradise valley, rope tows will be operated under contract at Paradise and at Cayuse pass. A study is being made of ways to provide additional overnight accommodations at Paradise valley.”

Crater Lake Open

Crater Lake national park Oregon will be kept open this winter for the first time since 1940-41 when 20,000 skiers made use of the area. The park service has prepared for almost continuous snow removal from 25 miles of roads and parking area. A concessioner will operate a ski tow, gasoline station, cafeteria and possibly limited overnight accommodations in the cafeteria building.

Lassen Volcanic national park in Northern California which formerly attracted several thousand skiers each year, likewise will remain open all winter for the first time since 1941.

Other park areas:

Olympic, Northwestern Washington – to operate on pre-war basis in anticipation of 1,000 or more visitors each week-end; rope tow, kitchen and sleeping accommodations for 45 in old CCC building road;  road to be kept open 18 miles from Port Angeles to Deer Park.