Powder House Ski sees business surge with Mountain Opening

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Opening day for Mount Batchelor is less than 24 hours away. The announcement already had a big effect on local business as thousands of visitors pour in for the holiday season.

KTVZ News visited Powder House Ski Shop in Bend. It was already very busy. With the ski season starting, people are rushing to get their boots fitted and boards waxed.

With less than two feet of snow at the base and unforgiving lava rock poking out everywhere, many customers were buying a second pair of cheaper skis, which gets scratched up. They called them 'rock skis'.

Store owner Todd McGee says everything has started up all at once. "It was amazing. Once that announcement got made by Mount Baxter this morning, the light switch was turned on." said McGee. "Our season leases, getting phone calls left and right on that, even rentals. Our boot bench has now been full, so it's been great. Everybody's so excited and stoked for the news."

There's probably going to be a rush on equipment maintenance. Powder House says if you get your equipment in before noon, they'll have it ready the next day. If you lease, now's the time to get your rentals.