Mt. Bachelor gears up for long-awaited opening day on Monday
(Update: adding video, Leigh Capozzi comments)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The long wait for Central Oregon skiers and riders is finally over.
Mt. Bachelor announced on its website the resort will open for winter operations on Monday, Dec. 13.
“As of this Tuesday, we have had mountain operations teams here at the mountain 24 hours a day," resort Brand and Marketing Director Leigh Capozzi told NewsChannel 21 Friday. "We are taking all kinds of measures to move snow for opening day.”
The first major storm of the winter season is set to hit the area over the weekend. As of Friday morning, the mountain only reported five inches of snow at the base area after being bare for much of the last 1-2 months.
The resort will begin its typical seven-days-a-week schedule, with lifts running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Opening day terrain will be off of the Little Pine lift and Woodward Hike Park, with the goal of expanding the footprint as soon as possible, according to an email sent to passholders.
The resort has recently closed uphill traffic routes a week before opening day, and the routes, with the exception of the cone route, will be closed effective immediately.
The last time Mt. Bachelor opened this late into December was in 2008.
Mt. Bachelor originally was shooting for a traditional opening day the day after Thanksgiving, then a week later, but warm temperatures and too little snow made for further delays.
Meanwhile, up by Santiam Pass, Hoodoo Ski Area is cheering the late but welcome snow and shooting to open in a week, on Dec. 17.
So far, about 10 inches has piled up, General Manager Matthew McFarland said Friday.
"Right now, our fingers are crossed that we're going to get all the snow that's in the forecast," McFarland said. "We need 30 inches and we'll be good to go, but we look very promising."
