SNOW HURRY.Byline: Mike Stahlberg The Register-Guard Like a snowball snowball: see honeysuckle. rolling downhill, Oregon's 2007-08 alpine ski Alpine Ski is an Alpine skiing arcade game, released by Taito in 1981. Description The player controls a skier, who can move left, right, or increase forward speed. season is expected to start small, then grow as it picks up momentum and, of course, more and more snow. "The climatologists weren't necessarily predicting an early snow year, but they were predicting that each month would get better than the one before," said Chuck Shepard, owner of Hoodoo Ski Area at Santiam Pass Santiam Pass (el. 4817 ft.) is a mountain pass in the Cascade Range in central Oregon in the United States. It is located on the border between Linn and Jefferson counties, about 18 mi (29 km) . "Overall, we should look for lots of snow and colder-than-normal temperatures." The predictions of a slow start, at least, are holding true to form. Only one of the three alpine resorts in the central Cascades east of Eugene - Mount Bachelor Ski Resort - was able to meet its annual goal of opening on or before Thanksgiving Day (which fell on the earliest date possible this year). While Hoodoo and Willamette Pass ski areas Willamette Pass is a ski area located in the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests in the Cascade Range of Oregon. The summit elevation of the ski area is 6683 ft (2037 m), and the total vertical rise from the base is 1563 ft (476 m). are still waiting for enough snow to begin operations, Mount Bachelor's Thursday opening was limited to two of its 10 lifts and a few runs augmented by artificial snow. As a result, opening weekend lift tickets were deeply discounted (by $21). Speaking of ticket prices, that is one of the hot topics going into the winter of 2007-08. Mount Bachelor made front-page news in the Bend paper in August when it announced it was raising lift ticket prices for the fourth straight year. This time, the cost of a basic adult daily lift ticket went up 7.7 percent, to $56. An even bigger price hike is in store for skiers who visit Oregon's busiest ski area during prime school vacation and holiday periods. Skiing Mount Bachelor on any of 23 "holiday period" days this winter will cost $66 - 13.8 percent more than last winter's $58 prime-time tariff. A resort spokeswoman said the price increases will help improve all aspects of the ski area's operation, including lifts, grooming, online ticketing and customer service. Prior to last season, the resort spent $3.5 million replacing the Pine Maren lift. Meanwhile, Willamette Pass Ski Area raised its adult daily ticket price to $40, an increase of $2 (5.3 percent). However, the resort rewarded its most loyal customers with a reduction in season ticket prices. The adult season pass sells for $499, compared to $549 last season. Season ticket-holders, in effect, will ski for free after 13 visits this winter, compared to 15 visits last season. Willamette's student season pass was cut $20, to $349. Hoodoo Ski Area held the line on the price of its lift ticket and will again charge $39 most days and $42 during holiday periods. "We didn't raise our rates, and that's kind of a big deal in itself," Shepard said. "We are confident of a good year, partially because of the predictions for good snow, but also because I suspect our prices are so good people are going to realize that this is the year to Ski Hoodoo. "We suspect that because Bachelor increased prices so much, we'll get a lot of people who are price-sensitive. Even Willamette Pass Willamette Pass (el. 5128 ft.) is a mountain pass in the Cascade Mountains in the U.S. state of Oregon. The pass is traversed by Oregon Route 58. Willamette Pass ski area is located there. is more than we are this year,. The rising cost of gasoline "could also work in our favor," Shepard said. "It's a lot easier to use four gallons of gas to get to Hoodoo than it is to use eight gallons of gas to get to Bachelor, so it may mean a lot of people ski more locally." Hoodoo regulars will notice one significant change on the mountain this year. A thick patch of trees below and to the west of the Green Machine lift was thinned over the summer, with a couple hundred small trees being removed. "The Forest Service spent the whole summer clearing trees because that area had gotten so thick that trees were starting to get diseased," Shepard said. "The purpose was to promote a healthy forest, not promote skiing. But it will help by opening it up for more tree skiing." The biggest change in the Oregon ski scene this winter, however, is at Mount Hood Meadows Mount Hood Meadows is one of the premier ski resorts in Oregon, USA, and the largest ski resort on or near Mount Hood. It is located about 67 miles (108 km) east of Portland, off of Oregon Route 35. , about 160 driving miles from Eugene. The Portland-area resort opened a new express lift that serves 220 acres previously undeveloped, but part of its Forest Service permit. The new Still Creek Still Creek is a long stream flowing across Central Burnaby, British Columbia and into Burnaby Lake (which outflows into the Brunette River). Still Creek's path lies mainly through the industrial area which contributes to its high level of pollution, although through dedicated Basin includes eight runs that together total about five miles. But the new area is not operating yet, as it is relatively low on Mount Hood and needs more snow. Mount Hood Meadows began its 40th anniversary year last week when it opened on a limited (two lift) basis. Hoodoo, the second-oldest continuously operating ski area in Oregon, is 70 years old. It began operations in 1938, 20 years before Mount Bachelor opened. Willamette Pass will again operate only four days per week (Thursday-Sunday) except during holidays and school vacation period, when it will be open daily. One change at The Pass resort is that it has closed its Eugene sales office. "We're going to focus on online sales and no longer have a Eugene presence," said Ray Gardner Ray Gardner may refer to:
"Just a couple" people were employed at the Eugene office, Gardner said, "and those were just moved up here." Skiers will find "the same level of products and services" at the resort, with one significant improvement, he said. "Over the summer we finished some work up on top on a new terrain park A terrain park is an outdoor area that contains terrain that allows snowboarders and skiers to do tricks. Jibs Jibs are any type of fixture which can be ground, buttered, or tricked off of. , so we'll be building terrain features in there above Rosary rosary [rose garden], prayer of Roman Catholics, in which beads are used as counters. The term, applied also to the beads, is extended to Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist prayers that use beads. Lakes," Gardner said. That area gets better snow depth "so we can increase some of our snowstyle features in quantity and size," he said. "We'll probably keep the boxes and rails down on the lower end so they're available for night skiing Night skiing is the sport of skiing or snowboarding after sundown, offered at many ski resorts and mountains. There are usually electric lights along the piste which allow for better visibility. ." Meanwhile, the Willamette Pass Express motorcoach service will continue to operate out of the parking lot at Joes, Gardner said. With the high-cost of fuel, the bus service should be even more attractive to skiers, he said. Round-trip tickets Noun 1. round-trip ticket - a ticket to a place and back (usually over the same route) return ticket ticket - a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment) are $14, or $10 for season ticket-holders. The potential impact of fuel costs on skier visits "is a concern," Gardner said. "But I like our proximity to the Valley, and we offer a very affordable price, so I think we situated ourselves very well." Gardner said he's optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op that this will be a good winter for skiers. "Everything kind of looks like it's going to be pretty good if you believe the climatologists and the long-range stuff," he said. Based on ocean temperatures and historical records, Oregon state climatologist cli·ma·tol·o·gy n. The meteorological study of climates and their phenomena. cli  ma·to·log George Taylor's long-range forecast calls for
"an above average snowpack snow·pack n. An area of naturally formed, packed snow that usually melts during the warmer months. snowpack 1. in the mountains," along with temperatures "slightly cooler than average in western Oregon This article is about the region of Western Oregon. For the University, see Western Oregon University. Western Oregon is a geographical term that is generally taken to apply to the portion of the state of Oregon that is west of the Cascade Range. and warmer than average east of the Cascades. "All in all, we anticipate a very good ski season The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. ," Taylor said in his annual winter forecast. "After a slow start, we expect mountain snows to accumulate quickly. ... January and February mountain snows are expected to be significant." ALPINE SKI GUIDE TO THE CENTRAL CASCADES Things to know before you go skiing or snowboarding in the Cascade Mountains Cascade Mountain can refer to:
HOODOO SKI AREA Where: Santiam Summit, one mile north of Highway 20, about 84 miles east of Eugene. When: Scheduled opening Friday, snow permitting. Open daily except non-holiday period Wednesdays. Lift hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except open until 9 p.m. for night skiing Fridays and Saturdays beginning Dec. 21.) Tubing is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays. The lift scene: Hoodoo's 5,703-foot elevation summit is served by three "quad," one triple, one double and two surface lifts. Cost: Regular adult daily lift ticket is $39 ($42 during holiday periods). Night skiing, $20. Ages 6-11 and 65+ are $29 (holiday price, $31). Adult Nordic trail pass costs $14. Tubing starts at $12 for 10 runs. Best deals: "Tightwad tight·wad n. Slang A miser. Noun 1. tightwad - a miserly person cheapskate miser - a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably) Tuesdays" (Jan. 8-Mar. 18), $19; "Anycard" ($165) good for five daily lift tickets any day, any time period, for anybody. Main events: Dec. 31 New Year's Eve party with fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to , Feb. 9 Winter Carnival A Winter carnival is an outdoor celebration that occurs in wintertime. Winter carnivals, or festivals, are popular in places where winter is particularly long or severe, such as Scandinavia, Canada and the northern United States. . Telephone: (541) 822-3337. On the Web: www.hoodoo.com. MOUNT BACHELOR SKI AREA Mount Bachelor ski area is a ski resort located in central Oregon approximately mi ( km) west of Bend, Oregon, at the end of the Century Drive Highway. The resort lies directly over Mount Bachelor, a stratovolcano built atop a volcanic shield in the Cascade Range. Where: 20 miles southwest of Bend on the Cascade Lakes For the microbrewery, see . The Cascade Lakes are a collection of lakes in central Oregon in the United States of America. They include Elk Lake, Hosmer Lake, Lava Lake, Cultus Lake, North and South Twin Lakes, as well as Crane Prairie Reservoir. Highway; approximately 140-mile drive from Eugene. When: Opened Thanksgiving Day on limited basis. Operates 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tubing park open Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The lift scene: Seven quad, three triple and three surface lifts serve 3,683 skiable acres topping off at 9,065 feet elevation. Cost: Adult daily lift ticket, $56 ($66 during holiday periods); ages 6-12 are $34 ($42 peak periods); ages 65-69, $48 and $57. Adult Nordic Trail Pass is $13 midweek, $16 weekends and holidays. Tubing starts at $10 for two hours for ages 12 and under ($13 during holiday periods). Best deals: Free skiing for age 70-plus; Multi-day ticket - ski any three days in a five-day period for $156 ($198 holiday period); Flexride ticket ($70), good for 10 lift rides anytime over two seasons, including holidays. Mark your calendar: Feb. 1 - Neighbor Impact Free Ski Day. Donate three cans of non-perishable food and get a free all-day lift ticket; Feb. 8-10, Bend Winterfest. Telephone: (800) 829-2442 On the Web: www.mtbachelor.com. WILLAMETTE PASS SKI AREA Where: At the summit of Willamette Pass on Highway 58, about 70 miles southeast of Eugene. When: Opening day when snow conditions permit. Operates Thursday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., plus holidays and vacation periods; night skiing 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays Dec. 21 through spring break. Tubing hill and Nordic Center open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends and holidays. The lift scene: One six-person lift, four triples and two surface lifts serve 29 alpine runs on two peaks, including Eagle Peak. Cost: Adult daily lift ticket, $40. Ages 6-10 and 65-plus, $24. Night skiing, $20. All lift passes require a "Ski Key," a reusable $2 ticket device. Adult Nordic trail pass is $6. Tubing is $12 per person for the first two hours. Round-trip Willamette Pass Express bus tickets are $14 ($10 for season pass-holders). Best deal: Five-day mini-pass ($159), good any five days during the current season. Mark your calendar: Feb. 2, Special Olympics Special Olympics International sports program for people with intellectual disability. It provides year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type summer and winter sports for participants. regionals. Telephone: (541) 345-7669. On the Web: www.willamettepass.com |
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