Snow time: Mt. Bachelor aims to open before Thanksgiving

The first coating of snow brings hope that a better season might be on its way. Mt. Bachelor gets around 500 inches of snow per season. Last year, it was just 207 inches.

“We just came out to see if we could play in the snow today,” said Bend resident Rion Patch.

Tuesday might not have been the best for that. Gusty winds and thick fog made for less than ideal conditions on the mountain, but at least there was plenty of snow.

“This is the first time I’ve seen this high of snow around a parking lot,” said Kelley Smith, who just moved to Bend from Georgia.

Everyone hopes for a better season than last — and hopeful signs are at hand.

“It was probably the worst I’ve ever seen, and I’ve lived here since the ’70s,” said Todd McGee, the owner of Powder House Ski & Snowboard. “We’re already busy, which I’m super-excited about, after last year. “

Although last year was not a great one on the mountain, it was better than most other ski areas around the region, and that’s been helping ski shops in Bend.

“So far, we’ve been really lucky. We didn’t have to lay anyone off,” McGee said.

This year seems off to a good start.

“Everybody is coming in with a big grin on them,” McGee said.

Central Oregonians can hardly wait to get on the slopes.

“It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve been snowboarding, so it’s going to be interesting, to say the least,” Smith said.