Deeper snow, so it’s a go: Hoodoo announces Wednesday opening; Mt. Bachelor deals with icy conditions
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The heavier snow skiers and snowboarders have been waiting, even praying for has arrived this weekend, allowing Hoodoo Ski Area to announce it'll open for the season next Wednesday. It also allowed Mt. Bachelor to open its Outback Express for the season Saturday, followed by some challenging conditions Sunday.
Hoodoo Ski Area announced Sunday it will open its 2023-24 season on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Guests can see the daily Hoodoo operating schedule at skihoodoo.com/events. Hours are subject to change depending on weather, road conditions, etc. The Autobahn Tubing Park, however, is currently closed until further notice.
Regular schedule
Wednesday – Saturday: 9 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 4 pm
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Hoodoo will also be open Monday, Jan. 15, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Hoodoo is still hiring for various positions. Those interested can apply at skihoodoo.com/employment.
On Sunday morning, amid quite a storm, Bachelor's new six-pack Skyliner Express lift started the day on hold for de-icing, as did Outback, amid winds gusting to 50 mph or higher in some areas.
Crews got both lift open later, but a "skigee" was recommended for goggles as icing and riming affected visibility and posed other operating challenges. That didn't matter much to those who filled up the resort's parking lot before 11 a.m.
After too-mild and pretty dry conditions in recent weeks, Mt. Bachelor picked up about a foot of snow during the past week, followed by a “blue bird” Friday and heavy snowfall moving in late in the day and it “hasn’t stopped since,” Director of Marketing & Communications Lauren Burke said in a “powder alert” Saturday afternoon.
“We’ve seen about six to eight inches of snow since 3 a.m.,” she said, “and it is expected to continue through the evening.”
Thanks for the fresh powder, 10 to 12 lifts were open on the mountain and more than 80 open trails.
“Base depth sits around 40 inches today and is expected to grow significantly throughout the week,” Burke said. “Heavy snowfall is in the forecast for most of the next week, with multiple feet of cold, dry snow headed our way. We will continue to expand terrain as snowfall and conditions permit.”
