Hoodoo makes it official with plans to open Friday
Low early snowfall means opening nearly a month later than usual
(Update: Official opening announcement)
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Hoodoo Ski Area typically opens by early December, but this season, due to low snowfall and high temperatures, the resort near Santiam Pass will be opening Friday, nearly a month later than usual.
Matthew McFarland, Hoodoo's general manager, said Wednesday the current plan is to officially open on Friday.
"We are always optimistic that we can provide a good product,” McFarland said. “That's part of the problem. With no snow, it’s hard to open and provide a good product."
Hoodoo currently has about 15 inches of snow, which sounds like a good amount. But once the snow is treated and tilled by a tractor, warm temperatures and rain can turn that 15 inches into just five.
They made it official with this news release Thursday:
Hoodoo Ski Area to open 2019-20 season this Friday
Sisters, Ore. - Hoodoo Ski Area will open its slopes for the 2019-20 season this Friday, Dec. 27. The Manzanita, Ed and Easy Rider lifts will run from 9 am - 9 pm.
Regular lift ticket rates apply. Lift tickets for kids ages seven and under are always free at Hoodoo. Current conditions include a thin base with no grooming and many unmarked obstacles like brush, rocks, baby trees, grass, etc.
Hoodoo's popular Autobahn Tubing Park is currently closed until more snow falls. Daily schedule and condition updates will be posted to Hoodoo's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts and skihoodoo.com
Hoodoo season passes and AnyCards (five lift tickets that can be used any time with anyone, no exceptions or blackout dates) and gift certificates are available at skihoodoo.com/estore or by calling 541-822-3799.
For current conditions at Hoodoo, call the Hoodoo Snow Phone at 541-822-3337 or check out Mountain Conditions at skihoodoo.com. Operations and mountain status will change as more snow falls. Guests can also sign up for the Hoodoo email newsletter at skihoodoo.com/email.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.
Despite the low snowfall, some people are still getting their passes and preparing for the season. The lodge was open on Christmas for those folks.
“We definitely get our passes early, but it does suck that it's not open yet,” said Virginia Erickson, a Hoodoo season pass-holder. “But we understand nature is nature. It will get here when it gets here, and some are early years and some are late."
Hoodoo has been cautious in watching the weather and scheduling their opening to coincide with enough snow. That's because there’s a chance they could open too soon and have to close again because the weather is not cooperating, which has happened before.
"We have opened before and had to close because of weather,” McFarland said. “We are looking for some good long stretches of freezing temperatures to make the snow nice and hard, so we will get a tractor on it and till it and groom it."
According to Hoodoo, about 2,000 people are usually on hand for opening day. McFarland said that because of the later opening date, that number will more likely be about 1,000.
