2025 - A Year of Very Significant Progress

2025 was a very important year for the restoration of Santiam Pass Ski Lodge. Final projects of Phase One were completed (Septic and Water Systems), and utilities were installed in the ground floor (Plumbing, HVAC and Electric). The completion of these projects put the restoration in a position to make very rapid progress in the future. We are now able to work throughout the year rather than having to close from Novemebr to May. The pictures below show the work completed in 2025.

Volunteers!

Much of the focus this season was on interior work that required licensed contractors, but there was still a lot of work needed clearing the grounds, applying sealer, digging ditches and cutting downed trees. We are so grateful for the wonderful volunteers who take ownership of this project!

Staircase to Dining Hall

The existing staircase from the ground floor to the Dining Hall was too steep. The dimensions of the area left no easy fixes for reworking the stairs, so a new staircase needed to be built. To fix the problem we called our “go-to” people, Steve Keeton and Lee Friend of Steve Keeton Construction in Sisters, OR. The new staircase is built to code and rises gently to a platform, then turns to the right into the Dining Hall. Cast iron stair nosings were installed and will protect the staircase from heavy boot wear. The milled lumber used to build the staircase was from the timber granted to us by the US Forest Service, Willamette National Forest, from the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020. The staircase was funded by generous donations from FSPSL Friends.

Beautiful Wood Doors Installed

Because of damage, deterioration or loss, only a few of the lodge’s original 3-inch-thick solid wood exterior doors remain usable. This created the need to not only restore the existing doors, but also replicate new doors. While removing the lodge’s deteriorated siding, a few areas had solid wood that was beautiful on the inside. Although it could not be reused as siding, we thought it would be perfect for restoring and replicating the new doors. In stepped regular contributor Mack Strawn of Stayton Wood Windows, in Sublimity, OR. Using the lodge’s original blueprints, Mack built 12 exterior doors with windows out of the siding removed from the lodge We could not be more pleased with the results; they are beautiful! The doors were delivered in the spring and installed by Tim Lungren and Rick Hale of Lundgren Construction in Salem, OR. Many of the interior doors were also restored on site. The door restoration was funded by the generosity of The Kinsman Foundation, and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Preserving Oregon Grant.

Plumbing Installed

The lodge’s existing heavy cast iron drains and steel pipes were removed in 2024. In 2025, all new rough-in plumbing was installed. The crew from Sweeney Plumbing in Sisters, OR, worked on the system beginning in July, and we kept them busy on and off through November. The plumbing installation included both restrooms, the main floor kitchen and the utility room. They also installed the propane gas lines and water heater. These rooms are now ready for finish work. Thanks to Zach Sweeney and Micah Hollzhouser for the great planning. The plumbing was funded by generous grants from The Roundhouse Foundation, The Oregon Cultural Trust, and the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund.

Furnace Installed

The finished lodge will have three furnaces. This summer the first of these was installed in the ground floor. A 130,000 BTU furnace was installed to heat the foyer, large gathering space and restrooms. The cold stone walls of the ground floor make this area very difficult to heat. A large wood stove will be installed in 2026, which working together with the furnace, will keep this area toasty warm for winter visitors. Steve Olson of Olson Heating and Air in Sisters, OR, did the installation of the furnace. Thanks Steve and your crew for a great job! We are so thankful to The Oregon Cultural Trust, the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and the Murdock Charitable Trust for funding the furnace and water heater installation.

Well System Completed

In 2025 the new well control box was installed, and with the plumbing in place, we fired it up and … we have water! No more need to continually fill up the tote tanks with water graciously given to us by Hoodoo Ski Area. It’s amazing how good it is to just turn on the spigot! The water system has been a long time in coming, and we are so thankful for all those involved in making it happen. Thanks Aiken Well Drilling, Abbas Well Drilling and Pump Service, and Ridgeline Electric for the great work installing the system. A huge thanks goes to Dann and Susan Boeschen, FSPSL Friends, the Murdock Charitable Trust, and the Roundhouse Foundation for funding the work. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Brand New Septic System

As with all of the utility infrastructure, the existing septic system had not been used for over 35 years. This required that we install a new system. In 2024 Brian Rabe of Elkhorn Consulting, in Baker City, OR, designed a very capable system. With Brian’s help, all of the engineering and county permits were in place by the end of 2024. In 2025 Rick Jonas of A-Affordable Septic Service, in Canby, OR, installed the system. It was a huge job! Four 2000-gallon septic tanks and 860 ft of drain field were installed just to the west of the lodge. It’s a high-capacity system and will serve the lodge for many years. This was the last of the very expensive infrastructure installations. Thanks goes to Rick Jonas and the crew for their excellent work! The septic system was funded by Oregon Cultural Trust, the Murdock Charitable Trust, Friends of Tilly Jan Cabins (A new partner!), and FSPSL Friends. We are so thankful to these organizations for funding a necessary part of the lodge restoration. We are also very thankful to engineer Brian Rabe for his expert engineering and donating a major portion of his work.

Propane, Trees & Concrete Cutting, Roof

A number of other important projects were performed. A 1000-gallon propane tank was installed on one of the few snowy days in October. The crew from Ed Staub and Sons in Redmond, OR, braved the weather to set and fill the tank. (Left) On one very sad day in October we had to cut about 50 trees surrounding the lodge. Despite regularly cutting “threatening” trees, every year we have had trees fall close to the lodge. Some would have easily destroyed the structure. The lodge also had no fire break, leaving it susceptible should a forest fire burn through the area. (Center-left) Power Concrete Cutting in Salem, OR, came and cut the short stem-walls from the ground floor gathering space. This took the ridges out where walls were (Center-right). Our good friends at AM-1 Roofing in Bend, OR, came out and installed flashing for the plumbing vents and the utility chimney (Right). These projects were funded by donations from our wonderful FSPSL Friends and the Great American Outdoors Acts Grant.