Meany Lodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meany Lodge |
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 Meany Lodge
Location in Washington (state)
Meany Lodge
Location in the United States
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| Location | near Stampede Pass, Washington, US |
| Nearest city | Cle Elum, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°16′49″N 121°19′14″W / 47.28028°N 121.32056°W |
| Vertical | 440' |
| Top elevation | 3,200 ft (980 m) |
| Base elevation | 2,800 ft (850 m) |
| Skiable area | 54 acres |
| Runs | 32 (4 groomed) |
| Longest run | 1000' |
| Lift system | 3 surface lifts |
| Snowfall | NWS weather report |
| Snowmaking | No |
| Night skiing | Yes |
| Website | http://www.meanylodge.org |
Meany Lodge is a 54-acre ski area in Martin, Washington. It is located near Stampede Pass, Washington, United States. It was built in 1928. This makes it the oldest ski area in Washington. It is also one of the oldest in the entire U.S.
Volunteers from The Mountaineers run Meany Lodge. The Mountaineers are a non-profit group. The lodge is in the Wenatchee National Forest. It is close to the Stampede Pass Train Tunnel.
Meany Lodge has a certified ski school. They offer lessons for many snow sports. You can learn alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. Lessons are available when you book your visit.
You need to make reservations to visit Meany Lodge. This is true for both day visits and overnight stays. If you stay overnight, you get a bunk bed and all your meals. The lodge can hold up to 97 people.
Fun Snow Sports
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Downhill skiers and snowboarders have 32 runs to enjoy. Four of these runs are groomed, meaning they are smoothed out. You get to the runs using three rope tows. A rope tow is a type of ski lift where you hold onto a moving rope.
The longest rope tow is called Mach. It is the longest certified rope tow west of the Rocky Mountains. The ski slope has a 450-foot vertical drop. This means the top is 450 feet higher than the bottom.
Cross-Country Skiing
Meany Lodge has about one mile of groomed cross-country trails. These trails are around the lodge. There are also more groomed trails in the nearby area.
You can explore historic Stampede Pass. The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is also close by.
Ski Touring Adventures
Ski touring is still popular at Meany Lodge. This is how the first skiers explored the area. Today, skiers use special bindings for touring. These include Randonee, Telemark, and Alpine Touring bindings. Ski touring gear is often seen before the yearly Patrol Race.
Exciting Ski Runs
The Lane
The Lane ski run was created in 1931. Workers cut down trees on Meany Hill to make the run. The logs from these trees were used to build a small hut for the rope tow.
Lower Slobbovia (South)
In 1954, a power line was built over the south end of Meany property. This cleared area became a great place for skiing. The Mach rope tow was moved in 1957. This gave skiers better access to this slope.
North Slobbovia (North)
In 1963, another power company built a transmission line. They thought they were on the right property. But they were actually on North Slobbovia. The company agreed to bury the line and cut the stumps. This was in exchange for an easement. You can reach North Slobbovia from the Mach tow.
Henrietta's Meadow
The Forest Service logged Section 34 in 1978. This area then became a ski run. It used to be known as Henrietta's Woods.
Rope Tows at Meany
Mach
The Mach rope tow was built in 1938 by Jack Hossack. It used a Fordson tractor to pull skiers up the Lane. It gained 280 feet over an 835-foot run. Mach was one of the first rope tows in the Northwest.
Over the years, Mach was improved many times:
- In 1943, the top pole was moved. This increased the vertical gain to 340 feet.
- In 1945, it was moved again, increasing the vertical gain to 380 feet.
- In 1946, a Chevy engine made it faster and more powerful. More skiers could be towed.
- In 1957, the tow was made longer. It became 1000 feet long with a 440-foot vertical drop.
- In 1986, a control tower was added.
- In 2014, the gas engine was replaced with an electric motor.
Super Worm
The Worm rope tow was added in 1973. It goes halfway up the Lane. It is 450 feet long and 160 feet high. This tow is great for beginners.
In 1987, the Worm tow was upgraded. It became 510 feet long and had a stronger motor. It was renamed the Super Worm.
Turtle
The Turtle tow was installed in 1987. It uses parts from the old Worm tow. It has a 7.5 HP motor. The Turtle tow goes very slowly, which is perfect for beginners.
Meany Lodge History
Early Skiing Days
Skiing started in the Pacific Northwest around 1915. Some Mountaineers began using skis instead of snowshoes. For the next 20 years, skiing mostly meant "ski touring." The main spot for skiing was Snoqualmie Lodge. By the early 1920s, more and more people were skiing.
In 1927, The Mountaineers wanted a ski hut near Stampede Pass. A group explored the area. They rode the Northern Pacific Railroad to Martin. The train ticket was very cheap, only $1.80 round trip.
In 1928, Edmond S. Meany bought the 54-acre plot for $125. He gave it to The Mountaineers. A cabin was built that fall. On Armistice Day 1928, it was named the Meany Ski Hut.
Other ski areas also opened nearby. In 1937, the Milwaukee Railroad built the Milwaukee Ski Bowl. In 1938, the Northern Pacific Railroad built the Martin Ski Dome.
In 1956, Meany Lodge had its deepest snow ever, with 15 feet at the lodge!
Ski Competitions
Meany Lodge started offering ski lessons in 1929. On March 10, 1929, they held their first cross-country race. Ellen E. Willis and Hans Otto-Giese won the trophies.
In 1930, club slalom and downhill races began. The first annual Patrol Race was also held. This race was opened to other ski clubs in 1936. The Patrol Race stopped during World War II. It was brought back in 2014.
Lodge Building History
In the fall of 1927, 100 Mountaineers worked together. They carried supplies by hand up a hill. In just two months, they built the first cabin. It was 20 feet by 50 feet and two stories high. It could hold 50 people. They also built tables and benches. A 1,700-pound kitchen range was pulled up using ropes and pulleys.
In 1939, a new part was added. It was 25 feet by 30 feet and three stories tall. The lodge then had four levels.
In 1953, the old coal-fired kitchen range was replaced. A new propane range made cooking much easier.
In 1970, the basement was made bigger. A drying room was added, and another dorm room was built.
How People Traveled to Meany
The Sunset Highway was not always open in winter. So, the Northern Pacific Railroad was the main way to get to Meany Lodge. By the late 1930s, Snoqualmie Pass was plowed more often. Some skiers would park at the Rustic Inn and ski three miles to the lodge.
In 1960, the railroad stopped passenger service to Martin. Meany Lodge then leased a snow tractor. It was named Tomcat. Tomcat hauled gear and towed skiers the three miles from I-90.
In 1966, the trail above the railroad tracks was made wider. This allowed vehicles to access the lodge.
In 1983, the BNSF Railway stopped using the train line through the Stampede Tunnel. But they did not give up the land. On December 5, 1996, they started regular train service again.
Today, you can get to Meany Lodge in winter using tracked snow machines. These include Tomcat or snowmobiles. They run on a schedule. You can also snowshoe or ski to the lodge.
Electricity at the Lodge
In 1963, an electric line was built from the Martin station. This brought power to the lodge.
In 1980, falling trees knocked out the power. The railroad then said their power line would be removed. So, in 1981, a new power line was built. It connected to Puget Sound Energy. Transformers change the high voltage power to a safer 240V for the lodge.
