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).

In this photo by Seattle Times photographer Josef Scaylea, skiers and spectators alike enjoy a sunny day at Snoqualmie Summit. Notice the makeshift ski racks in the foreground. Skiers have jammed their poles into the snow then rested the ski tips through the pole's wrist loops.

Handwritten on verso: Snoq. Summit Ski area, 1954. Josef Scaylea.

Caption information source: "Seattle's Municipal Ski Park at Snoqualmie Summit (1934-1940)" John W. Lundin and Stephen J. Lundin, HistoryLink.org Essay10362