Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Upgrade
The Nordic Center Facilities Upgrade & Connected Community Trails Project is part of the Mt. Shasta Nordic Center Master Development Plan, a $1.4M plan that will upgrade the current infrastructure to match climate changes in Siskiyou County. The objective of the project is to integrate the ski trail network and new lodge with varied elevations and the Gateway Trail System, to create a year-round recreation destination in years with varied snow pack.
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.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
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 objective of the project is to integrate the ski trail network and new lodge with varied elevations and the Gateway Trail System, to create a year-round recreation destination. Additionally, the new lodge will create a more cohesive user experience for the recreating public to better serve seniors, people with disabilities, and large school groups.
IMPROVEMENTS ARE UNDERWAY
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.
As of July 2025, 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
One third of Nordic Center Rental Equipment upgraded- 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
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 2026New Guest Services Lodge: Construction is nearly complete and lodge will be installed in fall 2025—and will be open to the public for the 2025/2026 ski season!
