With the storms that arrived recently bringing snow to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, the 2014-2015 winter season has begun. Several resorts opened for operations last weekend and more are looking to open for the holiday weekend. Here is a rundown:
WASHINGTON
Mission Ridge Ski and Snowboard Park had their season opening weekend on Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 23. They are planning to reopen for the holiday weekend on Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30 with Chair 1 operating. More information about Mission Ridge’s operations can be found on their website http://www.missionridge.com/news/re-opening-friday or contact Sam Chapin, schapin@missionridge.com, 509-588-9404.
49 Degrees North Mountain Resort is possible on Friday, November 28. Opening is weather dependent, so changes to opening day plans are possible. For current information on possible opening operations check the website http://ski49n.com/snow_report.php or contact Alexis Hartmann, AHartmann@ski49n.com, 509-935-6649 x 607.
Mt Baker Ski Area will be open on Thursday, November 27 from 9 AM to 2 PM with a limited operation on the Heather Meadows Handle Tow and Chair 2. The Heather Meadows Day Lodge will also be open, as well as the retail and rental shops. For more information about operations and conditions go to the website at http://www.mtbaker.us/snow-report/ or contact Amy Towbridge, amy@mtbaker.us, 360-734-6771
OREGON
Mt Bachelor opened for the 2014-2015 winter season with 10 features set up in a terrain park beneath the Sunshine Accelerator lift. The resort will be closed Thanksgiving Day and reopen on Friday, November 29 with operations dependent on the conditions. For up to date information about Mt Bachelor’s operations go to their website http://www.mtbachelor.com/site/plan/info/winterconditions or contact Spencer Weimar, sweimar@mtbachelor.com, 541-693-0953.
Mt Hood Meadows had a season preview that featured three lower mountain lifts on Sunday, November 23. Easy Rider, Buttercup and the Ballroom Carpet lifts operated plus a rail park. Also, the Sahallie Falls trail for cross country skiing opened. Weather permitting; the resort is planning to operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday this Thanksgiving weekend. Watch for announcement of the lifts expected to operate and the amount of terrain offered closer to the weekend on their website www.skihood.com or contact Dave Tragethon, dave.tragethon@skihood.com, 971-373-8111.
Timberline Lodge operated on Sunday, November 23 featuring Bruno’s lift. Watch for announcement regarding re-opening on Friday, November 28. For more information about operations please go to their website http://www.timberlinelodge.com/conditions/ or contact Jon Tullis, jtullis@timberlinelodge.com, 503-272-3134.
Mt Hood Skibowl will open their Snow Tube and Adventure Park at Skibowl East Thanksgiving Day through Sunday, November 30th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Full food service is available in the Multorpor Lodge with the Multorpor café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; and the 70 Meter Bar and Grill Cosmic Tubing® kicks off the season on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30 from 5:00pm to 11:00pm. To get more information about Mt Hood Skibowl operations go to http://www.skibowl.com/winter/ or contact Hans Wipper, hans@go.skibowl.com, 503-819-0712.
IDAHO
Schweitzer Mountain Resort opened the 2014-2015 this past weekend. The resort will re-open Friday the 28th for Thanksgiving weekend for skiing and snowboarding from 9 AM to 4 PM operating 2 lifts (Basin Express and Musical Chairs). They will close Monday thru Thursday and re-open Friday 12/5 for daily operations. More information about Schweitzer’s operations can be found on their website http://www.schweitzer.com/mountain/snow-report/ or contact Sean Mirus, smirus@schweitzer.com, 208-263-9555.
Lookout Pass Ski Area will open Friday, November 28th with the majority of the front side open for top to bottom skiing and riding off Chair #1. The beginner triple chairlift, Chair #4, will also operate. Lifts operate from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Services will include the Lodge, rental shop and ski school. The resort will close Monday through Wednesday reopening on Thursday, December 4 for regular December operations, Thursdays through Mondays. For more information go to their website https://skilookout.com/ or contact Phil Edholm, phil@skilookout.com, 208-744-1234.
Silver Mountain Resort will be opening for skiing, boarding, tubing, snowshoeing and scenic rides Saturday November 29th and Sunday November 30th. The first gondola will load at 8:15am; skiing and tubing will start at 9:00am and go until 4:00pm. For current conditions and operations check the website http://www.silvermt.com/site_Snow-Report/SnowReport.aspx or contact Neal Scholey, Neals@silvermt.com, 208-783-1531.
Many of the resorts in the Northwest are evaluating their current snow depths and watching the weather forecasts to determine when they will be opening. PNSAA will send updates as more resorts announce their opening dates. For the most up-to-date information on your favorite resort, please visit their website.
