In the winter of 1934, Seattle made national news by opening one of the first municipal ski areas in the country at Snoqualmie summit, championed by Mayor John F. Dore, a skier who envisioned the project as one that could lift his city's spirits during the midst of the Great Depression. The Ski Park grew, installing a rope tow in 1938 and a chairlift in 1954. The Milwaukee Railroad offered access by train from downtown Seattle in two hours. The pass now consists of four alpine ski areas: Alpental, Summit West (formerly named Snoqualmie Summit), Summit Central (formerly Ski Acres), and Summit East (formerly Hyak).

This photograph, taken about 1961 shows seven ski school students and their instructor during a lesson at Snoqualmie Summit. One of the tow ropes is visible in the background.

Caption information source: "Seattle's Municipal Ski Park at Snoqualmie Summit (1934-1940)," John W. Lundin and Stephen J. Lundin, http://www.historylink.org/File/10362