Hoodoo gets set to open for the season

Hoodoo Ski Area near Santiam Pass is opening more than a month earlier than last year. Its lifts will start running on New Year’s Day.

Sno-Cats were grooming the trails and ski patrol was readying equipment on Tuesday. Cooks were in the kitchen, making sure food would be ready. All the while, puffy clouds rolled over the top of the wind-blown mountain.

The ski resort has just enough snow to open, with 27 inches. The general manager says they like to have 30 inches, but this will do.

“I kept saying, ‘They’re gonna open — wait, guys, they’re going to open,'” said Rick Geraths, a 45-year season pass holder. “And it’s opening!”

Gareths says this year’s open date is par for the course.

“I’m going to say it’s average,” Gareths said.

Hoodoo’s management is opening lifts with a sigh of relief, as last year was anything but average. The mountain finally opened in early February. It missed out on three months of revenue.

“It was just totally dry and bare dirt,” said Hoodoo General Manager Matthew McFarland.

Just one week ago, he said, the mountain looked similarly sparse.

“We’ve just been blessed in the last week with a good storm,” McFarland said.

Storms are what keep this mountain in business. But the recent snow will only make a small dent in last year’s short season.

“A year like last year will take about 10 seasons to make up for,” McFarland said. “Last year’s season was a huge hit.”

The ski resort expects up to 3,000 people to hit the slopes Wednesday. It’s kicking the season off with a bang this year, with live music, fireworks and more. While some wait for the show, most are just ready for the snow.

“It’s light, it’s dry — the skiing is going to be great,” McFarland said.

“I’ll be here bright and early,” Gareths said.

Hoodoo Ski Area is opening in a fresh year, with fresh snow and, hopefully, a fresh start.

The lifts open early and the fireworks start at 9 p.m. Fireworks are free to watch for everyone.

More information at: http://www.hoodoo.com