Mt. Bachelor operations limited, delayed by big snowstorm’s impacts, while Hoodoo finally opens for the season

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Crews on the slopes of Mt. Bachelor dealt Wednesday with the impacts of a major storm that dumped plenty of fresh powder overnight but also brought conditions that limited operations, while Hoodoo Ski Area near Santiam Pass picked quite a day to finally be able to open for the season.

The biggest storm of the season is still in full effect at Bachelor, with about 5 feet of snow in the last 7 days and over 2 feet in the last 24 hours, Director of Marketing and Communications Lauren Burke said Wednesday.

"We have five lifts spinning today, but have experienced operational impacts and delays due to blizzard conditions, strong winds and heavy icing across the mountain," Burke wrote in an update.

Tuesday brought winds gusting over 100 mph "and some of the more extreme conditions we’ve seen in the last 10 years," she said. "Multiple more feet of snow are in the forecast through Saturday which will allow us to expand terrain next week.

"Base depth is currently sitting at over 70 inches and will continue to increase through the weekend. Powder turns on the lower mountain are deep, light and plentiful – and there’s a lot more to come," Burke said. 

Hoodoo, meanwhile, finally was able to open for the season, thanks to the plentiful but late-arriving snow. They reported just 20 inches on the snow gauge as of Tuesday morning – and just 24 hours later had close to four feet, with no signs of slowing down.

Officials advised of early-season seasons, and that also means a danger of tree wells and suffocation from deep snow. Visitors were urged to visit deepsnowsafety.org, stay close to groomed runs and “keep a close eye on your riding buddies.”

The Autobahn Tubing Park and Nordic trails will open when snow conditions allow.