Rain in weekend forecast postpones Hoodoo’s opening
(Update: Mt. Bachelor still plans Friday reopening)
Due to a warm, rainy forecast throughout Thanksgiving weekend, Hoodoo Ski Area said Tuesday it will postpone its previously announced opening this Friday until further notice.
In his initial decision to open on Nov. 24, Hoodoo General Manager Matthew McFarland noted the possibility of “rain and warm weather forecast for early next week and as long as the snow holds out we will be open and ready for another great season.”
Unfortunately, the forecast now includes much more rain and higher temperatures, prompting the delay in opening the 2017-18 ski season, the resort said.
The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center notes that the West Coast will receive “persistent onshore flow and deep moisture moving inland. The result of this atmospheric river will be a heavy rainfall event along and west of the Cascades, with the potential for amounts in excess of four inches possible.”
The same warm storm prompted Mt. Bachelor to close for three days this week after last weekend’s opening, though it still plans to reopen on Friday.
Mt. Bachelor spokesman Drew Jackson told NewsChannel 21 Tuesday, “With a base depth of 33 inches, our snowpack is holding up well, given the circumstances.
“Based on what we see on the mountain right now and factoring in the weather forecast, we’re still comfortable with our Friday reopening plan,” he said.
Last year, Hoodoo opened on Dec. 3, its earliest opening date since the 2005-06 season. Hoodoo staff is now in place and will be ready to open as soon as conditions are optimal to adequately pack and groom the slopes, the resort said in Tuesday’s announcement.
In the interim, Hoodoo’s pre-season pass sale has been extended through Friday. Discounted season passes and AnyCards (five lift tickets that can be used any time with anyone, no exceptions or blackout dates) are available at skihoodoo.com or by calling 541-822-3799. In keeping with its reputation as the most family friendly ski area in the Northwest, Hoodoo will also now give free lift tickets to any child age seven and under all season long.
For current conditions at Hoodoo, call the Hoodoo Snow Phone at 541-822-3337 or check out Hoodoo’s weather page. Operations and mountain status will change as more snow falls. Updates will be posted to skihoodoo.com and Hoodoo’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. Guests can also sign up for the Hoodoo email newsletter at bit.ly/HoodooEmail.
Hoodoo Ski Area is a family-owned, locally operated mountain recreation area operated on federal land by agreement with the Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River ranger district. Located on the summit of Oregon’s Santiam Pass, 20 miles west of Sisters, Hoodoo is one of the state’s most centrally located, economical and family friendly winter sports destinations. Visit us online at skihoodoo.com and see why Hoodoo is “The Mountain in Your Backyard!”
