Local craftsman rebuilds a
part of history

BY CHUCK TUCK | JOURNAL REPORTER Snohomish County has a new destination spot for recreation and relaxation thanks to one of its residents.

A restored and remodeled ski cabin from the 1950’s is home to anyone wanting to take a break from the mundane and monotony of everyday life.
Brad Whitsell has taken a father’s dream and a little boy’s curiosity and turned it into one of Snohomish County’s “must experience” destinations.
It was Whitsell’s father Gayle who had the foresight to preserve a part of local history for other’s to later enjoy but is was his son who fulfilled a dream.

Two years ago, Whitsell decided to finish what his father had started, and convinced his mother to let him remodel the old Pilchuck ski buildings that sat on their riverfront lot.

In the 1950’s Mount Pilchuck found its slopes to be a great recreation area for local skiers and it grew in popularity very quickly.

Operated by the Everett and Pilchuck Ski Club for many years until 1970 when private investors took over, it flourished until the late 1970’s.

By then, other ski resorts in the area had begun to grow, and the Pilchuck ski slopes were no longer profitable and closed its doors.

The ski equipment was sent to Crystal Mountain, and the ski rental business was relocated to south Everett and changed its name to Mt. Pilchuck Ski and Sport where it still operates today.

The remaining lodge buildings sat on the mountain until the forestry service took over.

Brad recalls that sometime in the early 1980’s the forestry service looked for ways of removing the old ski buildings and had a trucking and moving company remove them from the mountain.

However, according to Whitsell the relocation of the buildings ran into some problems.

“Apparently, the planned relocation was stalled when they realized that they could not get past the bridge without dismantling the buildings,” Whitsell said.

It was then his father Gayle purchased one of the buildings, and had it moved to the family lot along the river east of the bridge near milepost 11.
It sat there for nearly 25 years Whitsell says, and then it was time for him to start fulfilling a dream and remodel the old ski building.

Wanting to share the love for nature, Whitsell set out with intent of making the cabin one of Snohomish County’s destination spot for hikers, fishermen, campers, and cross-country skiers.

After two long years and many hours of hard work and dedication the cabin was finished and opened for business.

His labor of love shows in the rustic décor and workmanship.

Boasting three floors, and a spa tub for relaxation, Whitsell says the cabin and mountains offer many distractions.

Interested parties are encouraged to visit www.mountpilchuck.com for reservations and photographs of the cabin.

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