After 10 years of work, plans approved by the U.S Forest Service mean big changes and dramatic expansion at The Summit at Snoqualmie ski resort.

The Forest Service green-lighted the Summit’s Master Development Plan, allowing the resort to build a mountain-top restaurant at Summit East, additional parking, six new chair lifts, three new surface lifts, realignment and replacement of existing lifts, and night lighting on 25 new trails.

“This decision will help usher in an era of remarkable improvements to our resort,” said Dan Brewster, general manager at the Summit. “We are thrilled to have the go-ahead to implement many of these improvements and additions in the next several years.”

Under the agreement, the Summit will donate about 390 acres near Summit East to the Forest Service for conservation. Another 100 acres of land near Cave Ridge at Alpental will be donated to be added to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

The Summit submitted its development plan to government about 10 years ago. The Forest Service then embarked on an extensive environmental study. During the process, the Summit worked with environmental groups including the Sierra Club, Mountains to Sound Greenway, Alpine Lakes Wilderness Society, and Conservation NW to recommend ways to benefit the environment and skiers.

“Our goal has always been to continue to improve our resort, while striking a balance between what best benefits both people and the alpine environment,” said Trevor Kostanich, the Summit’s director of planning and development.

“Ten years and countless hours of collaboration and hard work have led to this decision,” Kostanich added. “This is truly an exciting time for us and our guests.”

More about the decision and the master plan can be viewed at www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/projects/summit-at-snoqualmie.

The Summit at Snoqualmie is operated by Boyne Resorts, the largest family-owned four-season resort company in North America.