Friends of Santiam Pass Ski Lodge

05/09/2026

Today we had the honor of Andre and Jennifer Fortin, Friends of Tilly Jane Cabins and their friends Mary and Rob from Sunriver visit us at the lodge. We are preservation buddies. Both historic structures were built by the CCC in 1939-40. They have donated funds to the restoration of the lodge and have encouraged and followed us along the way. We are just getting in the swing of things and forgot to get a picture so we got this photo of them from their OFG segment.

Ian McCluskey, the Oregon Field Guide did this segment on the Tilly Jane Cabins in 2019 just click on the link to view very short video.

https://www.opb.org/news/article/tilly-jane-mount-hood-backcountry-ski-cabin/

04/06/2026

We are delayed in sharing this sad news and most of you already know that Grant McOmie, "Grant's Get Aways", KGW News died recently, March 26, 2026. He will be missed!

Grant had been interested in telling the the journey of the Lodge's restoration project for years. We started planning his visit to film & interview way back in July 2019, our first work season. Lots of things happened and it never seem to work out until Oct 2023. Unfortunately he was unable to attend because he was injured but Jeff Kastner, KGW photographer came and did the filming and interviewing for Grant. We again started to schedule an update visit last summer 2025 and nothing seem to work out. We were ready to start working on 2026 visit when we got the news Grant had passed away.

Here is the segment from 2023.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ATqvoDoAs/

Dwight and Susan Sheets are the frontrunners of saving 80 years of prized recreation history, which was once a rundown wreck that had been closed for thirty years.

02/14/2026

https://youtu.be/OsTENNiJwvA?si=pFDQcspzC_R1lCi5

This video shows the dramatic transformation made to Santiam Pass Ski Lodge since the work began in 2019. The exterior is almost completed, our focus is now ...

02/04/2026

86 years ago today the lodge had its grand opening (2-4-1940) and was in operation for 46 years until it was closed in 1986. This year marks 40 years closed.

The end of 2016 we toured the lodge and decided to apply for the SUP. In 2018 we were approved and the journey to restore this beautiful beloved lodge began. We are in our 8th year of the project and we are so close to having it ready to operate again.

A huge shout out to all of you that have supported the restoration with donations, volunteering and encouraging us along the way.

We are so close to completion but need funds. If you would like to help us with a donation please go to our website: www.santiampassskilodge.org or mail a check: FSPSL, PO Box 1135, Sisters, Oregon 97759. All donations go 100% toward the restoration.

If you want more information about the project or the progress please go to our website (above) or our FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/SantiamPassSkiLodge

01/03/2026

Here is an article about the lodge in Bend Source Magazine!

When Susan and Dwight Sheets toured the defunct Santiam Pass Ski Lodge on a rainy October day in 2016 with Willamette National Forest Ranger Terry Baker, they were saddened with the condition of the historic lodge that had been unoccupied since 1986. “The archaeologist wouldn’t come in because i...

12/31/2025

What a special day for us at the Lodge - we had several special families come by and visit.

We also got a visit from part of the Ed & Alice Patterson Clan. Alice and her 4 sons: Tim, Mark, Ben and Paul. Paul and Darlene's entire family was visiting for the holidays and we got a group picture! (son) Matt and wife Natalie. Lindsey Patterson Hertlein (daughter) and Travis (SIL), Owen & Rhys Hertlein. Kyle (son) and Marlene, Kara, Paige & Keegan. Thank you Paul for arranging this visit. Its always a highlight when any of the Pattersons visit!

Dwight's Sprague High school Classmate P**i (Clark) and Steve Tansill came by with their dear little friends Bryn, McKale & Cade. Can't forget doggies Brody & Maise.

An added surprise was a visit from Mike Caccavano and his son Daniel, Jenni (DIL), grand-daughters Hanna & Madeleine. Mike has helped us in so many projects and given good advise, we really appreciate him. He will be working with us this season on the interior finishing work.

12/29/2025

This article came out today.

It's been seven years since Dwight and Susan Sheets started restoring the Santiam Pass Ski Lodge. Now, they're getting close to reopening.

12/24/2025

12/17/2025

If you did not receive our 2025 Newsletter Report, you can see it at the link below. "Become a friend" at santiampassskilodge.org and you will receive it via email.

https://mailchi.mp/ef7ac0774a04/end-of-year-newsletter-14188832?e=e9912b1755

Last year work began on Phase Two, the lodge interior, in 2025, focus on the interior went full tilt. Work completed by carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians, have brought water, restrooms, electric and heat into the lodge for the first time in 39 years! The following gives pictur...