Oregon skiing, snowboarding areas announce openings as snow arrives in mountains
Oregon’s two largest ski areas plan to open for the season this week as snow pummels the mountains in western Oregon, although it’s unclear if the state’s smaller ski spots will follow suit.
Mount Hood Meadows announced that it would open on Tuesday while Mt. Bachelor said it would open on Wednesday. Both said the openings were coming as “conditions permit.”
Timberline Lodge is currently open for skiing, with two lifts running Monday. Mount Hood Skibowl is open weekends for snow tubing.
Hoodoo Ski Area, east of Salem and Eugene, is unofficially targeting Dec. 8 to open, although officials are waiting to see what this week’s storms bring. Willamette Pass hasn't mentioned opening on its website and hadn't returned inquiring emails as of noon Monday.
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About seven to 15 inches of new snow fell from Sunday and into Monday at the ski areas while the forecast is calling for another one to three feet this week, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Portland.
Meadows has 37 inch base of snow while Timberline has 41 and Bachelor has 21.
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Meadows, according to a news release, would be offering a “soft opening,” with four lifts providing access to groomed beginner and intermediate terrain.
“Meadows expects to open more lifts and terrain by the weekend, including Mt. Hood Express and possibly Shooting Star Express,” the news release stated. “Ticket prices are dynamically priced and will increase with demand and as more terrain is opened. Early season conditions exist and guests are advised to stay on groomed runs and watch for unmarked obstacles.”
At Hoodoo, general manager Matthew McFarland said the most recent storm didn't bring as much snow as hoped for, leaving them with a base of 17 inches. He said there was a slim chance they could open by this weekend, but for now they were targeting Dec. 8.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon ski areas announce openings as mountain snow arrives
