Frequently Asked Questions

Didn't the Lassen Chalet used to be part of a commercial ski area?

The Chalet at Lassen Volcanic National Park was built in 1970. It was originally designed to support a concession-operated ski area. Competition with the Mount Shasta ski park and other economic factors led to the decision to close the ski area. In keeping with a National Park Service policy issued in 1992, the downhill ski operation was removed from the Park. At that point, the Chalet became functionally obsolete. The building housed a concession-operated gift shop, snack bar, and provided restrooms, first aid room, and limited storage.

Why is the Chalet being replaced?

The old chalet cost over $30,000 per year in heating costs alone. The Park spent an average of $20,000 per year on repairs to the structure just to make it usable. The building was in such bad shape that the National Park Service has prohibited any special funds from being spent on the structure. The results created such a deferred maintenance backlog that the structure was no longer viable for repair.

At present, the Park has no year-round visitor service or orientation facilities. The only information station that was available in the Southwest Area was an 8' x 12' portable shed which the Park rolled out from mid-June to Labor Day. There are no facilities available to orient visitors or provide basic safety information during the majority of the year, especially during the harsh, avalanche-prone winter months. Nearly 400,000 visitors per year enjoy the area. The park staff need to be able to disseminate safety messages and information about the Park to visitors and be prepared to respond to visitor accidents and injuries on a year-round basis.

How will the new Visitor Center benefit the public?

The new accessible and modernized center will provide visitors with an overall educational experience that the Park has not been able to provide in the past. The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center will include an information desk where visitors can obtain materials, wilderness permits, park maps and educational information. There will also be interpretive exhibits, displays and an auditorium for showing park films and holding special events. A new outdoor amphitheater is to be created for summer evening programs and interpretive talks. Enhanced concession services will be offered.

How much will the project cost and how will it be funded?

The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center project will cost approximately $8,000,000.

The project is funded by the National Park Service's Line Item Construction program. Our park partner, The Lassen Park Foundation, has pledged $500,000 to fund exterior exhibits and the production of a new park film.

When will the project begin and end?

Construction for this project began in April, 2007. The anticipated opening of the new facility will be October 6, 2008.

The Chalet had a gift shop and a food service facility. Will there be similar services available during construction?

The Chalet was removed in June, 2005. Services previously provided at the Chalet (gift shop, food services, park information and restrooms) are temporarily relocated to a temporary building at the southwest parking area for safety and visitor convenience.

Will the Southwest Campground be open during construction?

The Southwest Walk-in Campground will remain closed throughout construction of the new visitor center. Potable water is not available at the Southwest Walk-In Campground during the fall and winter months.  The campground will be closed until construction is complete. However, other Lassen Volcanic National Park campgrounds will be open. If you are looking for a less-used campground, Butte Lake Campground provides campers with plenty of solitude, lakes for swimming and boating, and some of the best hiking in the Park. Private and USFS campgrounds are available less than 10 miles away from the Southwest Entrance in the towns of Mineral and Mill Creek.

Will any of the trails be closed or re-routed due to construction?

During construction the Mill Creek Trailhead will not be open to visitors. Trailheads along the Park Road (including Lassen Peak and Bumpass Hell Trails) will not be affected by construction.

Will I still pay my entrance fee in the same place?

The old entrance facilities have been replaced with new facilities and are in operation.  Road signs will let you know when you are approaching the new fee area. Please be sure to pay attention to all informational signs as you enter the Park.

Will I still be able to park my car and enjoy snow play activities during the 2007/2008 winter months?

During the winter of 2007/2008 the parking area will be open with a limit of 40 vehicles. The remainder of the parking lot will be closed for construction during the winter of 2007/2008. Please obey off-limit areas in the construction site.  We will update this website as changes occur, so stay tuned!

Who do I contact for construction employment?

The construction contract was awarded to Slayden Construction Group Inc. (Slayton, OR) and Ward Young Architects (Truckee, CA) on June 13. They have just begun design work and will not begin construction until Spring, 2007.

Can I make comments about this project?

An Environmental Assessment with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was distributed for public comment on April 21, 2004. That comment period ended on August 25, 2004, when the National Park Service Regional Director signed the FONSI. We thank everyone who contributed their comments during that review period.