Summit Nordic Center

1) Personnel at top wouldn’t slow down the lift for me to get off the chair safely with my skinny skis.
2) Trails maps and markers are totally confusing — inconsistencies between the printed map and info at top. Trail names? Trail numbers? Who the hell knows.
3) Wasn’t given correct information on how to get back down from the top (lift I was told to download from wasn’t running).
4) Going down a blue alpine run to get back to base was my only option and totally scary on skate skis.

This year they have decided not to open the lower Cold Creek trails. This means that you have to take a chair lift up to the ridge (and ski back down). Clearly they don’t want Nordic ski business anymore. Don’t bother going here unless you feel quite confident in your ability to ski downhill ski runs on Nordic.

The sky was blue and the air was crisp. It was a perfect day to learn how to cross country/​nordic ski.
About an hour after leaving Seattle we were up in the beautiful, magnificent mountains… and ski lessons with skis and boots was only 59 dollars each!
The lesson was 1.5 hours and mostly involved going around and around and around a small loop again and again and again with elderly people, children and some embarrassed adults.
The instructor was funny and stayed on topic and did a good job of making sure each person got help.
My one star off is that the ski lodge is too small and lots of people were eating their packed lunches on the floor. I couldn’t find a water fountain to refill my water bottle. I read all the other reviews and knew not to buy any of the food there.
The parking lot was insanely full when we left at 2 pm. We got to the lot at 9 am and had no problem parking near the lodge area and didn’t need to wait in line to sign up for lessons.
From the website:
The Nordic Center typically operates from mid-​December through early April. Since we rely on natural snow, opening and closing dates each season may vary due to snow conditions. Closing dates are also influenced by business levels. The Nordic Center is a WEEKEND operation for The Summit at Snoqualmie and maintains business hours Fridays (during peak season), Saturdays, Sundays, and some Holiday Periods. During hours of operation, The Summit Nordic Center is open from 9am-3:30pm. Standard drop-​in group Lesson times are at 10:30am and 1:00pm.

Great place to start snowshowing or cross-​country skiing at Cold Creek Trail. A short hill to the rim, the main trail is groomed and you can socialize with people along the way. Good place to gear check for later backtrails elsewhere.