The very first snows of winter are falling on the slopes of Oregon’s Mount Hood, and the ski resorts are gearing up for another season of skiing and snowboarding. Soon the snow-covered runs will be busy with skiers gracefully cutting their way down the mountain.
Snow that has fallen within the last two weeks has wetted the appetite of local ski and snow board aficionados, and the resorts are responding by offering weekend skiing, and looking to open full operations soon.
Mt. Hood Meadows
Dave Tragethon, the executive director of communications for Mt. Hood Meadows and Cooper Spur, touted the annual snowfall of Meadows.
“We average 430 inches of snow each year,” said Tragethon. “That’s the beauty of Mount Hood. If anybody is going to get good snow, it’s going to be us.”
Tragethon said that Meadows is well positioned to keep the slopes snow-covered all year.
“We are prepared to make the most of the snow we do get,” he said. “We can take snow from the parking lot and use it elsewhere.”
Mt. Hood Meadows has launched “The Vista Experience” an added attraction for beginning skiers and snowboarders. It is a pathway from the top of the Vista Express high-speed lift back down to the complex of beginner terrain made possible largely because of specialized grooming.
The Vista Experience is an extension of the enhanced learning terrain feature grooming efforts initiated at Meadows last season which has significantly increased both the fun and the learning progression of beginners.
“We are customizing the terrain so newcomers can learn to do basic things such as slowing down and falling down the right way,” said Tragethon. “It can really accelerate the learning curve.”
The controlled environment helps newcomers to get the feel of the equipment and learn the techniques in a way that allows them to maintain control at all times, so when they do hit the slopes they are confident that they can handle all the hazards.
Meadows will start the season with brand new Rossignol snowboards and snowboard boots for adults and children as the entire snowboard fleet has been replaced. This new equipment takes much less time to adjust for each snowboarder, so they can hit the slopes that much quicker
According to Tragethon, Mt. Hood Meadows is looking at starting full operations possibly as early as Dec. 1, which is the date set for the Season Kick Off Party. As snow allows there will be preview weekends and other opportunities to get out before the resort begins full operations.
Another move that has proven a hit among skiers is the resort’s shifting away from plastic to paper straws. Tragethon reports the response from the public has been very positive.
Also new this season is dynamic pricing for lift tickets. Prices for tickets will fluctuate based on the expected crowd size each day.
For more information, check out the resort’s website.
Timberline Lodge and Ski Resort
Timberline Lodge has recently purchased the Summit Ski Area in Government Camp. Included in the sale is the Snow Bunny snow park, a snow play area and parking lot approximately 1.5 miles east of Government Camp. Both Summit Ski Area and Snow Bunny will operate under a special use permit issued by the Mount Hood National Forest, USDA Forest Service.
Established in 1927, Summit Ski Area is the second oldest continuously operating ski area in the United States and the oldest ski area in the Pacific Northwest.
John Burton, the Director of Marketing & PR for Timberline, said the new addition will be remodeled.
“We are going forward with an upgrade to this new acquisition,” said Burton. “Its part of our commitment to providing family friendly and affordable skiing fun.”
Summit will operate with ski and snowboard rentals, lessons, snow tubing, and expanded food and beverage offerings.
Timberline also views Summit Ski Area as an opportunity to help address public transportation and parking needs, while having a greater connectivity to Government Camp. Increased usage of the mountain’s resorts is causing serious congestion in some areas, including Government Camp.
The long-term view for Summit includes exploring expanded product offerings for both summer and winter.
Burton reports Timberline, the highest of Mount Hood’s ski areas, has already received 39 inches of snow, and that was before the heavy snow falling there this week.
“It’s a good start,” said Burton. “We have a couple lifts operating and will open more lifts and trails as conditions allow.”
For information on passes and more, check the Timberline website.
Mt. Hood Skibowl
The resort at Skibowl is preparing for another season of skiing and snowboarding, although the resort offers much more. There are tubing runs, terrain parks, kids activities, and the largest night skiing and terrain park areas in the Northwest.
Skibowl provides riders with 34 fully lit runs, 65 runs total and a vertical drop of 1,500 feet.
The resort has been “farming” snow for weeks using a new, automated system that is far more efficient than the older systems.
For more information, check out the resort website.
With snow forecast in the next week, and the outlook good in coming weeks, skiers can expect another good season, and most resorts will probably open for full operations at about their usual time.
Skiers should remember to stay within the boundaries of the ski runs. That untouched snow may be tempting, but the chance of getting lost, or worse, getting injured, is serious. And, it happens to unwary skiers every year.
