Meadows Blog
4/24/2013 6:06:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 8 comments
The weather is shaping up nicely for a spectacular end to our regularly scheduled season! Meadows daily operations ends this Sunday -with lifts scheduled from 9 AM - 4 PM and a special $59 lift day pass price offered. We're continuing to offer our 2-for-1 Learn to Ski or Snowboard special for adults; and our 2-for-1 Kidski and KidsRide package this weekend (Saturday and Sunday April 27 and 28).
7th Annual Sno-Kona Pond Skim Saturday!
With an awesome forecast for sunshine the spring skiing will be sensational this week - so plan on getting your final turns in. The 7th Annual Sno-Kona Pond Skim is this Saturday. Registration is filling up but is still available online (for ages 21 and older). There's a great prize package thanks to sponsors Kona Brewing and All About Hawaii, topped by a trip for two to Hawaii! The real winners of the event are our spectators, who get to see some of the most outrageous costumes, antics, dashes and splashes. This year's competition will be judged so a second successful skim is not necessary, which should encourage participants to go all out in their second run to impress and entertain the crowd. Here's some videos of last year's event to get you going!
Encore Weekend Offered May 4 and 5
We'll be offering one last weekend - reopening Saturday and Sunday May 4 and 5 with lifts scheduled from 9 AM - 2 PM each day. We'll have a special $49 lift pass with a reduced lift operational schedule. Get details here.
4/18/2013 10:11:00 AM
by Aubrey McCauley
in Connection, Media Center
| 0 comments
To our 2013 Ski to Defeat ALS Sponsors and Underwriters -
Thank you so very much again for sponsoring and underwriting our 2013 Ski to Defeat ALS which was held at Mt. Hood Meadows on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Because of your generous support and leadership, participants, guests and volunteers were moved to donate, fundraise and spread great awareness for ALS. The collective efforts of just 350 people raised an epic $167,000, to date. For this, we are so grateful.
Because of this success, we will continue to further our mission of supporting local families living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, actively participating in nationwide public policy efforts, and funding top-notch international research specific to finding the cause, treatments and ultimately, a cure for this devastating disease.
We look forward to hosting this event again in 2014!
Please enjoy our event pictures courtesy of Randy Boverman Photography.
Warmest Regards,
Aubrey
on behalf of the entire staff of The ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter
4/12/2013 1:00:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 11 comments
We've been enjoying some awesome spring skiing conditions at Meadows here in April. And it looks like winter will be visiting us this weekend with the forecast showing snow showers Saturday and Sunday with a half-a-foot or more of fresh snow!
Beginning Monday, April 15, we'll be shifting to our new midweek operational schedule. Monday - Friday we'll operate Mt. Hood Express, Cascade Express, Heather, Buttercup and the Ballroom Carpet. We'll also have a special adult lift pass price of $59. This schedule is subject to change with weather and snow conditions, so it's wise to check our conditions page for the latest information.
We expect to reopen Hood River Meadows for our remaining April weekends, depending on snow conditions and turn out. The lift pass price will be $59 daily through April 28.
This will be the last weekend for Forest Park - beginning Monday our free style offerings will be focused on the South Side parks - Rose City, the Zoo, Fireweed and Shipyard are all scheduled.
And here's a reminder that we are planning an encore weekend May 4 and 5, with lifts scheduled from 9 AM - 2 PM those days.
We look forward to seeing you on the mountain!
4/10/2013 7:02:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 5 comments
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort will extend it's season for one more weekend in May. The resort is currently scheduled to operate daily through April 28, and will offer limited lift operations Saturday and Sunday May 4 and 5. The resort expects to operate the Cascade Express – offering sensational spring skiing on wide open expanses, along with it's Mt. Hood Express high speed quad and the Buttercup beginner lift. Scheduled operations can be affected by weather and conditions –
our conditions page provides the most current operational schedule.
Lift passes will be discounted in May
- $49 for adults
- $29 ages 7-14 or 65+
- $10 kids 6&Under
- $20 Buddy Pass (up to 2 per day) for picture pass holders
Picture Pass Holders Receive $20 Buddy Pass
Any picture pass holder will be able to bring a friend for just $20. Both the pass holder and the friend need to be present for the purchase - and pass holders can bring up to two people each day. For this season's extension full season passes including the Spring Pass will be honored at no charge. 10 Time Passes (with days left) will be honored. Midweek Plus and Meadows Club Card holders will be auto-charged $20 at the gate. Limited pass holders (Midweek, Midweek Plus, Night, used up 10 Time Pass, Meadows Club Card) can upgrade to a season pass for $20, making their pass valid both days.
Ski and Snowboard School Continues Adult (13 and older) 2 for 1 Learn to Ski or Snowboard
Ski and snowboard lessons will be offered for adults and children. We'll continue to offer the 2 for 1 learn to ski or snowboard specials - just $75 for ages 13 and older (package includes a beginner lift pass, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals).
KidSki Special - Just $35 per Child!
Kids 4 - 12 can get a 1/2 day learn to ski or snowboard package for $35 - which includes lift pass, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals. Daycare will also be available May 4 and 5.
Equipment rentals and the demo center will be open for those looking to rent or demo equipment. Outer Limits Sports and the High Performance Center will be open for those looking for the best deals of the season on quality outer wear, clothing, accessories or hard goods.
The Paradise Sun Deck will offer outdoor dining in the spring sunshine, and our popular outdoor dining in the spring sunshine along with our Barbecue and snow beach seating area. Entertainment is being scheduled for both days, with a Cinco De Mayo celebration scheduled for Sunday, May 5.
4/2/2013 10:32:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 12 comments
Mt. Hood Meadows 2013/14 season passes are on sale now on the resort website and at the ski resort. Meadows continues daily operations through April 28, and is considering an extension of operations on weekends in May.
Next year's passes can be purchased in April at a discount off of last year's early season rates!
-
Adult 23-64 year old pass is $499 (compared to last year's early season price of $524).
- Age 15-22 year old passes are $349 (down from last year's $384 price).
- Age 7-14 year old passes are $249 (reduced from last year's $264 price).
- Age 65+ passes are $379 (down from $384 last year).
- Kids 6 and under can get a season pass for $25.
If you don't have a 2012/13 picture pass, you can purchase a new 2013/14 season pass here.
If you do have a 2012/13 picture pass, renew your season pass here.
Renew Your 2012/13 Picture Pass & Get Special "One Day Buddy Pass" With April Purchase
Current 2012/13 picture passholders (which include season passes, night and midweek passes, 10-Time Passes and the popular Meadows Club Card) will receive a free "One Day Buddy Pass" valid for an off-peak lift pass next season, when they purchase a 2013/14 season pass in April. Current passholders need to
"renew" their current pass media by adding next year's season pass to it by April 30 to receive the free Buddy Pass (the $25 "6 and under" pass is excluded from this offer).
Only full season passes are being sold at this time. The resort hasn't announced pricing for 2013/14 on season pass, day lift pass or specialty pass products, but confirms that season passes will not be lower in price than they are right now.
Have a question about purchasing a 2013/14 Season Pass? Read our FAQ's here!
3/28/2013 10:52:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 6 comments
We're celebrating a great season and honoring our most enthusiastic spring skiing and riding guests with a Vertical Challenge.
The rules are simple – Meadows will award ten (10) 2013/14 Season Passes – 2 in each age category – for those who accumulate the most vertical, measured by our RFID gate system – in the month of April. Vertical is measured at each RFID gate from April 1 – 28.
2013/14 Unlimited Season Passes awarded in each age category:
- 6 And Under
- Age 7 – 14
- Age 15 – 22
- Age 23 – 64
- Age 65+
Any registered picture pass media attached to an RTP customer record is eligible to collect vertical (season pass, 10 Time Pass, Meadows Club Card, Midweek+ pass). You can check your vertical by logging into this page.
The Responsibility Code, rules of safety and on slope etiquette must be followed. Any infraction will result in disqualification from the Vertical Challenge and forfeiture of your season pass. This is an event presented for fun and to celebrate April conditions and our spring season. Please ride responsibly.
Check out the leaderboard here on our site - or on the resort TVs.
Additionally, Meadows will have a grand prize drawing for one more 2013/14 season pass. Each day a guest visits (registered at our RFID gate) will be one entry into the drawing. So the more days someone visits in April, the more chances they'll have to win.
Enjoy April, get some exercise and enjoy spring riding at Mt. Hood Meadows!
3/22/2013 11:05:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Trails Blog, Weather Blog
| 3 comments
It's a sneaky storm - dropping 44" of snow this week. The best of it fell Thursday - when officially we received 13" in the base area. But the top of Star had 21". And the powder runs are amazing. Looking for some SloMo - MoJo? Try Nettie's run, which has a shallower pitch. But the thigh deep untracked powder was so light that you could slowly float down Nettie's. Untracked. Untouched. Just you and the snowflakes. Nice!
Enjoy the slide show - pictures by Krissy Fagan of mComm!
3/22/2013 12:36:00 AM
by Snow
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 3 comments
To keep our valued guests in the loop, here is some information on why Heather was closed Thursday, and will likely not be open Friday. Evaluation and Hazard Reduction are continuing.
We expect 100% compliance with our boundary lines as rope ducking will not be toleratED, and could have potentially fatal results.
This debris field was found in the Clark and Heather Drainages Thursday morning during one of our Hazard Reduction Routes, and directly following an artillery mission. The debris was fresh, but is unknown at this time where this avalanche actually originated from. When the weather clears we will have a better opportunity to fully evaluate the continuing avalanche hazard.
On March 10, 2011 we experienced a major avalanche in the Canyon. Here is a link to that original blog post, and another link to the patrol investigation.
3/18/2013 7:57:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Media Center, Connection
| 3 comments
Every ski resort has a learn to ski or snowboard package, which includes a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and lesson. Mt. Hood Meadows will also add in your best friend! The resort if offering this opportunity for enthusiasts to couple up and get a great deal on their first time on the mountain.
The individual package sells for $75 and includes a lift day pass for the Buttercup beginner lift, which also includes the Ballroom Carpet – Mt. Hood’s only enclosed over-the-snow conveyor. Also included is ski or snowboard equipment from the resort’s equipment rental center, and a two-hour group lesson taught by a professional instructor.
The special “Add a Friend for Free” allows two people to take the beginner package together for just $75. No reservations are needed, simply come to the resort and register at the resort’s equipment rental center. Participants must be 13 or older, and a parental consent form is required for those under age 18. Purchases are made at the mountain.
3/17/2013 6:00:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 0 comments
The 4th Annual Mt. Hood Meadows Film Festival was presented Sunday at the Vertical Restaurant (turned movie theater). The top 10 were culled from 20 submissions this season, and the production value and action sequences impressed the judges. You can view all the videos in this playlist below (select Playlist in the video player).
Zach St. Clair Weekend Warriors $500 + GoPro Hero Silver + BacPac LCD + BacPac Battery + Dakine Camera Bag
Ryan Walker A Hood Time GoPro Hero Silver + BacPac LCD + BacPac Battery + Dakine Camera Bag
Josh Larkin Mt Hood Film Fest Hangin at Hood GoPro Hero Silver + BacPac LCD + BacPac Battery + Dakine Camera Bag
Davis Keeney Park Laps at Meadows GoPro Hero Silver + Dakine Camera Bag
Tommy Ellingson 2013 Film Festival GoPro Hero Silver + Dakine Camera Bag
Hans Falkenhayn A Fun Day is a Hood Day GoPro Hero Silver + Dakine Back Pack
Jacob Oberlander From Huck Til Dawn GoPro Hero Silver + Dakine Back Pack
Randa Shahin Good on Hood GoPro Hero Silver + Dakine Back Pack
Myles Cameron Gotta Be At Meadows GoPro Hero Silver + Dakine Back Pack
Eamon Colbert Big League Boys @Meadows GoPro Hero Silver + Dakine Back Pack
3/15/2013 1:26:00 PM
by Matt Zaffino
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 0 comments
March is STILL my favorite month for skiing. Yeah, I know it's been 60-degrees in the valleys and near 50-degrees on the mountain. Whatever. The days are long, the base is deep and we STILL keep getting fresh snow! We're about to, anyway.
That's the pre-amble, here's the... amble:
Snow levels in Oregon will drop dramatically tonight and be down around 4,000 feet Saturday morning on Mt. Hood, and around 5,000 feet for the rest of the state. By Saturday night, it should be snowing in Bend at 3,000 feet as the snow level continues to drop to about 2,000 feet on Mt. Hood by Sunday morning.
Snow will be flying Saturday at the resorts. We should see 2-4 inches new during the day Saturday on Mt. Hood, and I'm leaning more toward the four. Another 2-4 inches falls Saturday night into Sunday morning, so if the flakes fall right, we could be skiing 8 inches of fluff Sunday morning.
Sunday is my powder pick for the weekend, but Saturday will be good too. With all the warm weather lately, make sure you gear up for winter conditions in the mountains. Cold, snow, wind.
If you can ski Monday too, you'll be treated to some sunshine and calm winds, and mid-winter conditions. Except for the strong almost-spring sun. It's super important to remember sunscreen this time of year, now that the sun angle is higher, you can burn really fast and severely. Snow, especially new, freshly fallen highly coveted snow, reflects the suns burning rays onto your pasty-white winter face. Protect it. The sunshine continues into Tuesday.
Spring begins Wednesday at 4:02 am PDT. It should be dumping again by then. The snow level will rise ahead of the Wednesday storm to 5,000 or 6,000 feet, but by Wednesday afternoon it's back down to 3,000 feet. Major dumpage Wednesday night should lead to some brilliantly awesome first-full-day-of-spring skiing Thursday. Which is not to be confused with spring skiing. Because it'll definitely be mid-winter conditions. At this point, I'm thinking another 8 inches of fresh joyful powder in the Oregon Cascades Thursday.
After that, spring skiing conditions are likely to set in, at least for a while. Which simply means it's time to get corny. As in corn-snow bring it on. If you've read any of my ski-scribes, you know I'm more than capable of that.
In the meantime enjoy March Madness, mountain-style!
Happy Trails and Turns,
Matt Zaffino
(Matt Zaffino has been forecasting powder days in Oregon for over 25 years. An avid back-country telemark skier, he’s hit the slopes of Oregon from his previous home near Mt Ashland to secret powder stashes in the Wallowa’s, while logging as many runs as possible at all of the resorts in the Oregon Cascades.)
3/9/2013 8:56:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 1 comment
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) - Mt. Hood Meadows is preparing for an amazing Spring Skiing season with events, entertainment and fun ways to improve your riding.
Meadows offers the unlimited Spring Pass - daily access for the rest of the season - for just $139 or $99 for kids ages 7 - 14. Kids 6 & Under pricing for an unlimited season pass is $25.
Meadows Adds Services for Oregon Spring Break March 23 - 31
- Park & Ride shuttle service will run daily from Portland to the mountain, at reduced rates - $20 for round trip bus, or $71 for bus and lift ticket. The shuttles run weekends
- The Nordic Center will be open from 9 AM - 4 PM Thursday - Monday through Sunday, April 7
- Night operations will continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through March 24
- Daily operations are scheduled through April 28!
(Scheduled operations can change with conditions, weather and turn out. Check SkiHood.com for any schedule changes.)
Learn to Ski or Snowboard and Bring a Friend for Free!
Every ski resort has a learn to ski or snowboard package, which includes a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and lesson. Beginning March 18 and through the end of the season, Mt. Hood Meadows will also add in your best friend! The resort if offering this spring skiing opportunity for enthusiasts to couple up and get a great deal on their first time on the mountain.
The individual package sells for $75 and includes a lift day pass for the Buttercup beginner lift, which also includes the Ballroom Carpet - Mt. Hood's only enclosed over-the-snow conveyor. Also included is ski or snowboard equipment from the resort's equipment rental center, and a two-hour group lesson taught by a professional instructor.
The special "Add a Friend for Free" allows two people to take the beginner package together for just $75. No reservations are needed, simply come to the resort and register at the resort's equipment rental center. Participants must be 13 or older, and a parental consent form is required for those under age 18.
March 16 - Freestyle Clinic
This clinic is designed for those who want to improve their skills in the park & pipe, breaking down the fundamentals of approach, takeoff, maneuver and landing so you can master each step before putting it all together. Available to advanced and expert skiers/riders ages 10 and up.
March 16 - Après Ski Entertainment with Twisted Whistle
A Portland, Oregon local Folk, Bluegrass, Americana Band, Twisted Whistle exemplifies bluegrass in such a raw, rootsy way that it's not hard to get lost in the entire ensemble.
March 17 - Steeps Clinic
Available to advanced and expert skiers and riders. These clinics are designed to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain. We will work on maintaining rhythm and flow through all terrain and conditions while exploring some of the best known and unknown runs at the resort.
March 17 - 4th Annual Meadows Film Festival
The fourth annual Meadows Film Festival will showcase local talent - on the hill as well as behind the camera. Cash and prizes for the top finalists - presented by GoPro, Full Sail Brewing, Dakine and Keen Footwear.
March 22 - Steeps Clinic
Available to advanced and expert skiers and riders. These clinics are designed to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain. We will work on maintaining rhythm and flow through all terrain and conditions while exploring some of the best known and unknown runs at the resort.
March 23 - Telemark Clinic
For beginning through expert telemarkers. Improve your technique with one of our experienced, certified instructors.
March 23 - Spring Brew Fest
Mt. Hood Meadows proudly presents the Spring Brew Fest. Last year, Full Sail Brewery, Double Mountain Brewery, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Kona, Redhook, Everybody's Brewing and Laurelwood helped us celebrate the spring season. Cool off with some beverages, while soaking up the sun on the deck!
March 23 - Après Ski Entertainment with Cody Beebe & the Crooks
Bound by their collective roots in Central Washington and Washington State University, the band calls their music Roots Rock; some radio gurus have dubbed it Progressive Americana, and others have said "Steve Earle meets Pink Floyd."
March 24 - Women's Clinic
For women and taught by our most certified and experienced female instructors. Work on your skiing/riding in a fun supportive environment. Participants will be grouped based on ability and the focus will be on improving your skills so you can ski/ride more confidently and in more conditions. Available to intermediate and above skiers and riders.
March 24 - NW Demo Tour
Free demo from dozens of ski and snowboard manufacturers. 18 and older with a credit card and ID to demo (minors must also have parent or legal guardian present).
March 25 - 27 3-Day Holiday Kids Camps / Freestyle Camps
Our 3-day camps are offered over Christmas Break and Spring Break, and provide kids with a great way to play on the snow! We provide alpine lessons for students ages 4 - 12, and snowboard lessons for students ages 7 - 12. Kids will be put in the same group with the same instructor for three consecutive days providing an excellent opportunity to make friends and bond with the instructor. You'll be amazed at the progress your child can make skiing or riding 3 straight days!
March 30 - Nike "Snake and Hammers" Banked Slalom / Slopestyle Event
A unique snowboarding competition designed to test a snowboarder's all-around riding skills. The course combines the turns of traditional banked slalom with the features of a slopestyle event. A rider's overall goal is to snake down as fast as they can while dropping their best hammers. The better the hammers, the more time deducted off their run. The person with the fastest overall score wins.
This event is invitational event - Meadows and Nike Snowboarding will select the snowboarders who will compete.
March 30 - Steeps Clinic
Available to advanced and expert skiers and riders. These clinics are designed to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain. We will work on maintaining rhythm and flow through all terrain and conditions while exploring some of the best known and unknown runs at the resort.
March 30 - Après Ski Entertainment with Left Coast Country
A "northwest bluegrass band based in Portland, OR; who deliver both high-energy original compositions and an authentic take on traditional sounds stemming from Bill Monroe to Towns van Zandt.
April 1 - 3 3-Day Holiday Kids Camps / Freestyle Camps
Our 3-day camps are offered over Christmas Break and Spring Break, and provide kids with a great way to play on the snow! We provide alpine lessons for students ages 4 - 12, and snowboard lessons for students ages 7 - 12. Kids will be put in the same group with the same instructor for three consecutive days providing an excellent opportunity to make friends and bond with the instructor. You'll be amazed at the progress your child can make skiing or riding 3 straight days!
April 6 - Freestyle Clinic
This clinic is designed for those who want to improve their skills in the park & pipe, breaking down the fundamentals of approach, takeoff, maneuver and landing so you can master each step before putting it all together. Available to advanced and expert skiers/riders ages 10 and up.
April 6 - Seventh Annual Full Sail Banked Slalom
A banked slalom is a series of high banked curves - the faster a rider goes down the course, the bigger the course becomes because of the nature of the high walls of the banked turns.
Both skiers and snowboarders can participate, filling a field of 120. Presented by Full Sail Brewing.
April 7 - Women's Clinic
For women and taught by our most certified and experienced female instructors. Work on your skiing/riding in a fun supportive environment. Participants will be grouped based on ability and the focus will be on improving your skills so you can ski/ride more confidently and in more conditions. Available to intermediate and above skiers and riders.
April 7 - Hood River Appreciation Day
Mt. Hood Meadows is holding the 3rd annual Hood River Appreciation Day. The Hood River Meadows (HRM) Lodge has a very strong local Hood River presence, and we want to acknowledge them and say thanks with music and raffles, and Hood River companies will provide food, beer and wine samples.
April 13 - Second Annual Ski To Defeat ALS
Ski to Defeat ALS raises money for the ALS Association Oregon and Washington Chapter - one run at a time! Participants can do one run or fifty runs, people with ALS are encouraged to participate because of our awesome partnership with Oregon Adaptive Sports. This event is not one to miss! Ski to defeat ALS and help benefit the ALS Association Oregon and SW Washington Chapter.
April 13 - Mountain Photo Workshop
Full day class with Grant Myrdal the workshop focuses on snow and mountain shooting to equip you with the tools to create spectacular photos in all conditions.
April 14 - Steeps Clinic
Available to advanced and expert skiers and riders. These clinics are designed to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain. We will work on maintaining rhythm and flow through all terrain and conditions while exploring some of the best known and unknown runs at the resort.
April 20 - Women's Clinic
For women and taught by our most certified and experienced female instructors. Work on your skiing/riding in a fun supportive environment. Participants will be grouped based on ability and the focus will be on improving your skills so you can ski/ride more confidently and in more conditions. Available to intermediate and above skiers and riders.
April 20 - MazotFest Charity Race to benefit Avalanche Rescue Dogs
Come meet the rescue dogs at the Mazot! Race and watch others do the same! Mazot Fest will be taking place 10 AM to 3 PM. This is a fun, charitable race benefiting the Avalanche Rescue Program.
April 27 - Steeps Clinic
Available to advanced and expert skiers and riders. These clinics are designed to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain. We will work on maintaining rhythm and flow through all terrain and conditions while exploring some of the best known and unknown runs at the resort.
April 27 - Sno-Kona Pond Skim
The 7th annual Sno-Kona Pond Skim at Mt. Hood Meadows, presented by Kona Brewing and All About Hawaii! Snowboarders and skiers, launch themselves across 90 feet of frigid water, to win a free trip for two to Hawaii.
2/26/2013 2:11:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 1 comment
On the heels of a storm that dropped 30" of snow heading into the weekend, 13" fell Monday, so intensely that the upper mountain was socked. Vista and Cascade couldn't run due to visibility. Tuesday awoke to bluebird skies and more than a foot of fresh, delightful powder some of the best of the season.
Storm recovery crews arrived early, and launched Vista on schedule at 8:55 AM and Cascade just 20 minutes later. The day was filled with powder runs as the entire mountain was covered in this powder goodness. Krissy Fagan captured some of the day for you to enjoy! We added some photos taken February 27 to satisfy your appetite for great mountain shots!
Meadows now has a base of 120" in the base area and is setting nicely for spring. Great conditions, clinics and fun family events make for a great time on the mountain. "Our future's so bright we gotta wear shades" - and sunscreen - great advice for today's bluebird powder happy guests!
2/23/2013 11:47:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 5 comments
It's the storm we've been waiting for - and it arrived midweek but kicked up its ferocity Friday, with driving winds and dumping a foot of powder. So far the storm has deposited two feet of snow, and it's forecast to continue to drop another foot or more through the beginning of next week.
Storm Riding Video by Pierce Hodges
The pent up demand for powder was expressed Saturday, as for the first time this season our parking lots reached capacity. Our parking crews are shoehorning cars in as they leave, and we expect that there'll be plenty of parking opened up for night riding after 2 or so. Wind, visibility and storm recovery is keeping Cascade and Vista from operating (looking ahead to some awesome riding after storm recovery). Avalanche reduction operations continued in Heather (although lower Heather was open Friday) and Private Reserve was open. High winds were affecting lift speed on Shooting Star, Hood River Express and Stadium Express.
Heads Up - Sunday Looks Like a Peak Parking Day
Sunday is setting up to be another peak park out day, with snow forecast throughout tonight and better weather on Sunday. There may be some partial clearing and our lift crews will be conducting storm recovery efforts as soon as the weather allows (it will be an early start for sure)! On days like these it is best to plan on arriving before 9:30 AM, or arrive later (after 1:30 or so) to avoid the time frame when turn aways due to parking capacity most likely occurs. We recommend carpooling - or taking a Park & Ride shuttle from Portland.
Kudos to ODOT the Media and to YOU!
The storm was well publicized by all the news stations, which discouraged anyone driving to Mt. Hood unprepared. This very important message made for a very orderly commute to the mountain this morning (no major incidents or accidents reported). ODOT crews were ON IT with snow removal, plowing and keeping the road way driveable. We want to thank all those guests who prepared themselves and their vehicles for the drive.
Deep Snow Safety
Finally, as you enjoy the great conditions and all this POWDER - we want you to exercise good judgment and be aware of deep snow safety hazards. Avoid tree wells - they can trap you. ALWAYS ride with friends and keep them in view. If you're going into gated access we recommend you have a beacon, shovel and probe.
We'll see you on the mountain!
2/19/2013 4:53:00 PM
by Matt Zaffino
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 2 comments
The storms of winter are about to return. Just in time, I've been getting a lot of whining and complaining, which generally goes like this: "I want freshies!" or "I want freshies, DAMMIT".
And freshies you shall have. The relatively quiet weather pattern of the last several weeks is about to change. Right now we're under a split flow with storms diving south off the coast, sending the freshies far south into the Sierra. But by Friday, the split flow consolidates into a northwesterly flow that aims right at Oregon, replete with heavy mountain snow and strong winds. Saturday is my powder pic, as there should be a foot or more of new snow on Mt Hood with the snow level dropping to the sweet spot of about 500 feet. Sweet because it's not snowing in Portland, which prevents panic in the streets and local media. But it also means it'll be COLD on the mountain, with temperatures in the teens at 5,000 to 6,000 foot elevations. A foot or more should fall on Mt Hood Friday into Saturday and it'll still be snowing on Saturday. Snowfall will be less as you head south to Mt Bachelor and east to the Wallowas, but Bachelor will still likely see a foot or so and Anthony Lakes should be approaching a foot from the storm. If you prefer better weather conditions with less wind and a few sunbreaks, then Sunday's your day. Either way you can't go wrong.
And this storm isn't a one-shot deal. It'll be preceded by a splitter on Thursday, which means southern areas like Mt Ashland may be able to squeeze 3 to 6 inches out of the system as it drops south along the coast, while an inch or two may fall on Mt Hood.
Following the break in the weather Sunday, another cold storm drops in Sunday night bringing more powder with the snow level remaining around 500 feet. While this storm won't bring as much snow as Friday's, it should come with less wind, so the snow may actually lay down better for Monday morning riders and skiers. Mt Hood will likely see 6 to 8 inches from this baby. Monday would be powder pick number 2.
The last in this series of storm seems slated for Wednesday. This storm will be weaker than the previous two and also come with a higher snow level, but only up to about 2,000 to 3,000 feet, so still good quality snow. The heaviest snow from that storm will be from Mt Hood north, with 4 to 6 inches likely in the northern Oregon Cascades.
We've been patient, now, be ready to go forth and carve.
Happy Trails,
Matt Zaffino
(Matt Zaffino has been forecasting powder days in Oregon for over 25 years. An avid back-country telemark skier, he’s hit the slopes of Oregon from his previous home near Mt Ashland to secret powder stashes in the Wallowa’s, while logging as many runs as possible at all of the resorts in the Oregon Cascades.)
2/13/2013 5:12:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 0 comments
- Mt. Hood Meadows Celebrates President's Holiday with $10 Monday Night Pass
- Special 3-9 PM Monday evening pass available exclusively on-line until 2 PM Monday
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – Mt. Hood Meadows will celebrate the President's Holiday with a special Monday evening 3-9 PM pass for just $10, available exclusively through the resort's web site.
The $10 night pass must be purchased in advance (by 2 PM Monday, February 18) and is valid from 3-9 PM Monday. The night pass can be purchased that evening at the ski resort for $20 (a savings of $10 off the regular 3-9 PM pass $30 price).
The resort enters the popular winter holiday with nearly a 100" base, a forecast for more snow and excellent snow conditions. Park & Ride shuttles from Portland will run Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a round-trip ride just $20 (
purchased on-line). In addition to it's regular ski and snowboard adult and kids lessons, Meadows will offer the
Twilight Kids Club each evening, Friday through Monday night, an incredibly affordable way for the family to place kids in a two hour lesson and get a free adult night pass! Meadows Ski School will offer a
Steeps Clinic on Saturday and a Freestyle Clinic on Sunday.
A
Nordic Extravaganza will be presented Saturday, February 16, a day full of Nordic festivities! The event kicks off with a Sam Cordell Skate Clinic for only $25. Demo skis will be available, compliments of Rossignol, Fischer and Madshus, and a waxing clinic with Call “The Wax Meister” Andersen. There will also be a barbecue, and the White Rino marimba band will be performing live.
Apres Ski entertainment will be served up at Vertical from 3-6 PM with "MessyHair" Saturday and "The Quick & Easy Boys" Sunday.
Meadows retail shops celebrate the holiday with a President's Weekend Sale - season passholders will receive 30% off of all outerwear (non-passholders save 20%) at Outer Limits Sports. Looking to finally get that new board or skis you've been staring at all season? The High Performance Center will be having a hard goods sale, where passholders save 30% and non-passholders save 20%.
And the holiday culminates with the $10 ski night Monday. See you here!
2/11/2013 9:36:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 2 comments
Make A Hero Helps Individuals with Disabilities in Oregon!
Boulder, CO (February 2013)- Make a Hero, producers of the award winning film, The Movement narrated by Robert Redford and Warren Miller announce a partnership today with Mt. Hood Meadows and Hillcrest Sports. “Our goal is to bring skiers a great ski package with proceeds going towards helping individuals with physical disabilities experience the freedom of skiing” said former owner of Warren Miller Films and founder of Make A Hero, Kurt Miller.
Oregonians can help support individuals with physical disabilities learn to ski in addition to
saving 20% on a Mt. Hood Meadows midweek day pass and save $25 on a $100 gift certificate from Hillcrest Sports. See the full details for the Oregon ski package at:
www.Makeahero.org/deals-support/deals/
For the second year, Make A Hero is partnering with Mt. Hood Meadows and Hillcrest sports to provide this great package to help grow awareness, educate and generate support for individuals with disabilities. Proceeds from this package will allow Make A Hero to inspire individuals with disabilities to “get fully engaged in the game of life,” build their confidence and help them regain their mobility and freedom through sports and recreation. This year, proceeds will also go toward documenting local individuals with disabilities learning to ski at Mt. Hood Meadows by Make A Hero’s award winning camera crew.
Mt. Hood Executive Director, Dave Tragethon added “Mt. Hood Meadows has always supported individuals with physical disabilities getting back on the mountain. We believe in the growth of adaptive sports in Oregon and encourage all people, no matter their ability, to come enjoy the freedom of the slopes.”
The special $60 day pass must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance and the voucher authorization email from Make A Hero presented along with valid I.D. to redeem the pass at Mt. Hood Meadows. Help us Make A Hero in Oregon today! To learn more about Make A Hero please visit:
www.makeahero.org
Make A Hero Today!!!
Kurt Miller
Founder, Make A Hero
Director, The Movement
2/6/2013 10:56:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 0 comments
Last week we had every kind of weather known to this mountain thrown at us. It's kind of nice to have a kinder, gentler storm softly dropping five inches of new snow - with three inches of that overnight (read: untracked since we closed at 4 PM Tuesday). This is the essence of midweek skiing at Meadows. Check out the new snow. Now look at the parking lot. Open slopes. No lift lines. The promise of more snow for tomorrow. See you Thursday?
(Updated Thursday, 2.7.13 - enjoy the slide show!)
1/31/2013 1:15:00 PM
by Meadows Crew
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 1 comment
The bounties of a wild end to January - above the cloud skiing and riding on a 100+ inch base at Mt. Hood Meadows.
On the heels of a five-day storm which dropped three feet of wind driven powder and almost every other kind of precipitation imaginable, from freezing rain to icy pellets, the last day of January could be the best day the month offers. With our base depth topping 100 inches, and a groom on most of the runs, outdoor enthusiasts are celebrating their passion on the upper mountain. Fantastic groom, awe inspiring views and socializing with friends. This is NW skiing at it's best!
Enjoy the slide show - pictures taken by Krissy in mComm at Mt. Hood Meadows.
1/27/2013 5:38:00 PM
by Parks Crew
in Connection, Media Center, Parks Blog
| 7 comments
The Crossbow has arrived! This innovative feature was designed by our parks crew, constructed by Kurt Heine. We have plans to use it in the "Snake & Hammer" Banked Slalom event March 30, but until then it will be our signature feature in Forest Park. The elegant double C-Rail design allows approaches from multiple directions, allowing you to get creative. C Rail it, go straight over the top, jib a side or event transfer diagonally. The feature is ready for you to play on it.
See you on the mountain!
1/14/2013 2:18:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 1 comment
Extreme skier and PSIA certified instructor Glen Plake will be at Meadows to teach a class Friday, January 18 as part of National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month!
Glen Plake has been featured in ski films for decades, thrilling us with his fearless charge down steeps and free fall cliffs that only the most extreme skiers dare to attempt. His spiked Mohawk is his trademark, promoting the wild side and over the edge approach to the sport and lift in general.
Glen became the first skiing ambassador for the
National Ski & Snowboard Month initiative, and has since become a certified ski instructor through PSIA. He'll be at Meadows this Friday as part of an Elan demo day, and instructing guests in an exclusive learn to ski package.
The package is limited to 20 people, and includes a beginner day pass, equipment rentals and four hours of instruction. The morning session will be with Meadows instructors to go over the basics, get everyone comfortable with the equipment, and moving on the snow. Everyone will be prepped for the afternoon session, which will be led by Glen.
The package is $85 and can be purchased here (for ages 13 and older).
Plake will be at the Elan demo tent to meet and even take runs with guests following the lesson, Friday afternoon.
.
1/8/2013 2:45:00 PM
by Matt Zaffino SkiOregon.Org Powder Alert
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 2 comments
The week begins with warmer air and snow levels rising above 5,000 feet. But keep your powder dry for dry powder, because that's what's on the way.
A strong cold front will drop through the Northwest tonight. The mountains will get plastered with snow with the front Tuesday night and Wednesday. There will be new snow to ride for sure on Wednesday, but it also looks like a nasty day weather-wise on the mountain, with strong winds and increasing colder temperatures. BUT.. it ALSO should be one of those awesome days when you make a run, and by the time you make your next run your old tracks are covered over with new snow. Gotta love days like that.
My powder pick this week is Thursday. Lots of fresh snow from Wednesday, probably 6 to 10 inches new on Mt Hood and Mt Bachelor, with the coldest temperatures of the week. Snow showers will be adding light layers of fluff throughout the day as the sun comes in and out of the clouds, and the winds will be lighter. This may be a champagne edition powder day, if we get enough snow at the colder temperatures that arrive Wednesday night.
For Friday and the weekend there will be a little new snow, maybe a few inches from snow showers. But it'll stay COLD, keeping the snow in great shape. And there will be sun, at least at times.
The long range forecast shows a massive ridge of high pressure developing offshore next week. That will keep the Oregon mountains dry and mainly sunny, with gradually, slowly, warming temperatures. So there won't be much new snow next week, but it'll be a great time to enjoy the deep snowpack at the resorts and take in our awesome alpine scenery.
Matt Zaffino
Chief Meteorologist
KGW Media Group
Republished from SkiOregon.Org Powder Alert
(Matt Zaffino has been forecasting powder days in Oregon for over 25 years. An avid back-country telemark skier, he’s hit the slopes of Oregon from his previous home near Mt Ashland to secret powder stashes in the Wallowa’s, while logging as many runs as possible at all of the resorts in the Oregon Cascades.)
1/1/2013 10:15:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 2 comments
January has been proclaimed Learn A Snow Sport Month and Mt. Hood Meadows is offering many affordable packages for new adventurers trying skiing or snowboarding for the first time. The offer is part of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, a national effort organized by the snow sports industry to get family and friends outside in the winter.
Meadows has the largest ski school in Oregon, with certified professionals and a vast amount of experience in introducing New Adventurers to skiing and snowboarding. The resort’s “Buttercup” beginner chairlift services the gradual terrain where first time lessons are conducted. Meadows also has Mt. Hood’s only enclosed over the conveyer called “The Ballroom Carpet” which gives new adventurers a fun uphill experience. Most ski areas rely on the traditional “rope tow” which tend to wear out beginners being pulled up the hill.
"Snow sports are fun and easier to learn than many people think," said Dave Tragethon, Meadows Executive Director of Communications. "You can burn a lot of calories, meet some terrific people and have an experience that can be shared among friends and family.”
Includes three days – lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals each day. First two days include Buttercup beginner lift ticket, third day is an all mountain lift. Any three days, no reservations required.
3 Time Night Passport - $99 (age 13 and older)
Includes three evenings – 3 – 9 PM lift tickets, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals each day. First two evenings include Buttercup beginner lift ticket, third evening is an all night operating lift. Any three nights (Wednesday – Sunday evenings), no reservations required.
One Day Beginner Package - $75 at the ski resort (age 13 and older)
Includes a Buttercup beginner lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals. This package can be purchased online in advance for $65.
A second two hour lesson can be added for just $20 more.
Night Beginner Package - $50 (age 13 and older, offered Wednesday – Sunday Evenings)
Includes a Buttercup 3 – 9 PM beginner lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals.
Twilight Kids Club is offered Saturdays and Sundays. Parents receive 1 free adult 3pm – close lift ticket for each child enrolled in Twilight Club. Kids are supervised from 3 PM – 7 PM with a two hour on snow lesson offered in between. Dinner is included for the kids. Equipment rentals are just $15 for kids in the Club.
Mt. Hood Meadows offers kids lessons every day - presented in 2 hour (half day) or 4 hour (full day) formats. Kids are grouped together by age and ability and coached by our best PSIA Certified Instructors.
LEARN A SNOW SPORT MONTH
January 2013 marks the fifth year for Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month (LSSM). Ski and snowboard areas throughout the U.S. offer special programs for children and adults who want to learn a snow sport. Programs vary in make-up and cost. Some are free and most are discounted during January.
A typical learning package consists of a lift ticket, equipment rentals and lessons from a professional instructor generally at a reduced cost and, in some cases, free. Retailers also may offer opportunities for newcomers to learn basic information needed for a quality on-snow experience such as how to dress for outdoor winter activity and what equipment is appropriate for someone starting out.
The www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org Web site helps newcomers locate venues in their local communities or elsewhere where learning programs take place. The site also includes information and links intended to help newcomers learn more about the world of snow sports.
A new program called Bring a Friend encourages current skiers and snowboarders to bring friends or family members to a local venue and help them sign up for lessons from professional instructors. The national Bring a Friend Challenge offers incentives, including product prizes and trips, for both current participants and newcomers. The national Challenge starts in December and runs until March 17, 2013. Details are available at www.bringafriend.org. Trips will be awarded at the end of the Challenge and are for the 2013-14 season. They include four-day packages for two to Sun Valley in Idaho, Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons in Utah and Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont.
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and Bring a Friend are supporters of the Let’s Move initiative and the President’s Challenge, two programs designed to encourage activity and good nutritional practices – particularly among our youth.
www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org
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12/26/2012 8:30:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Weather Blog, Media Center
| 2 comments
Major winter storm dumps 87" of snow in last 10 days at Mt. Hood Meadows including 17" on Christmas Day
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort celebrated reaching the 100" base mark on Christmas Day - but the gifts just keep on coming! The resort has received 87" of snow in 10 days, including 17" on Christmas Day alone. The forecast has another 12 to 18" forecast through tomorrow.
The early season storm has allowed Meadows to open all of it's terrain, including the legendary Heather Canyon which opened last Saturday. The powerful storm has gifted holiday skiers and snowboarders with an abundance of light powder. The resort is advising guests to be aware of deep snow safety hazards - to avoid tree wells, ride with a buddy and always keep that person in sight.
Here's a slideshow of pictures submitted to us Monday. Pretty awesome!
All lifts are scheduled for the holiday period, weather conditions permitting.
12/24/2012 10:08:00 AM
by Parks Crew
in Connection, Media Center, Parks Blog
| 2 comments
Meadows has joined with Windell's and USASA to present the Meadows Rail Jams this season. We kicked it off Saturday with an awesome rail jam hosting all levels of freestyle skiers and snowboarders stoked about the early season set up in Shipyard.
Video by Pierce Hodges.
Snowboard Open Class Women
1. #62 Kirsten Lee
Snowboard Open Class Men
1. #49 Kenny Srofe
2. #58 Rick Millet
3. #48 Will Dennis
Skier Open Class Men
1. #71 Abraham Barnett
2. #94
3. #68 Kevin Lund
Skier Open Class Women
1. #64 Kayla Schurton
2. Kristie Beavert
Snowboard women 14 & Over
1. #3 Meiling Huang
2. #2 Autumn Inouye
3. #70 Maddie Collins
Snowboard men 14 & Over
1. #54 Connor Goodwillie
2. #61 Cooper Harrington
3. #75 Tye McCarthy
Skier Women 14 & Over
1. #14 Maya Barnard Davidson
2 #43 Kayla Van Hoose
3. #35 Hannah Hurley
Skier Men 14 & Over
1. #65 William Reuland
2. #5 Tucker Fitzsimons
3. #51 Jake Mageau
Skier Boys 10-13
1. #55 Reese Carroll
2. #2 Chris Redlich-Colgan
3. #3 Vetea Boersma
Skier Boys 9 & Uncer
1. #81 Wyatt Duce
Skier Girls 10-13
1. #78 Abby Bergemann
Snowboard Boys 10-13
1. #4 Sean Fitzsimons
2. #66 Evan Andrews
3. #56 Wyatt Foley
Snowboard Boys 9 & Under
1. Nick Geisbrecht
Snowboard Girls 10-13
1.Livia Molodyh
The next Rail Jam will be January 12. Those participating in the series have a chance to qualify for some additional prizes through Windells.
Meadows Parks is weathering all the new snow well - with Shipyard, The Zoo and Forest Park operating. Rose City will be built up for the upcoming competitions. And with more snow we'll be able to get Park Place and ultimately the half pipe under construction.
Check out the interactive parks page, or get your parks update on the conditions page.
12/17/2012 9:00:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 2 comments
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) –
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is ready to celebrate
the holiday season with events, ski school clinics and camps. Lifts are
scheduled to operate daily beginning at 9 AM, including Christmas and New
Year’s Days and there will be extended night operations during Christmas week.
It culminates with a New Year’s Eve spectacular, exquisite dinner, fireworks
and a party with “Keegan Smith and the Fam” perfoming live at Vertical!
Here's a video from the past to put you in the holiday mood!
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is scheduled to operate daily with lifts
opening at 9 AM each day during the holiday season, and through the end of
April.
MEADOWS
AFTER DARK
evening operations are normally offered Wednesday through Sunday evenings until
9 PM. From December 19 - December 31 Meadows will operate lifts until 9 PM, except Christmas Eve (December 24) when lifts close at 4 PM, and New Year’s Eve when lifts will run until midnight.
TWILIGHT
KIDS CLUB is
regularly offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. During the holiday
the club will be offered each evening from December 19 through January 6, with
the exception of Christmas Eve (Monday, December 24) and New Year's Day (Tuesday, January 1). This provides 4 to 12
year olds supervision from 3 – 7 PM, with a 2 hour lesson in between plus dinner
and a lift ticket. The price is just $70 for ages 7 – 12, $80 for ages 4 - 6 – (add equipment rentals for just $15) and Mom or Dad gets a 3 – 9 PM Meadows After Dark ticket for free!
PARK
& RIDE SHUTTLE FROM PORTLAND RUNS DAILY December 19 – January 6, except Christmas Day (12/25). The
shuttle picks up at three convenient metro-area locations. Bus seats must be
purchased in advance through the resort’s web site SkiHood.com.
NORDIC
CENTER OPEN DAILY
9 AM – 4 PM from December 15 – January 7.
MT.
HOOD MEADOWS HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR
Dec. 21-23: Burton Mountain Festival 9 AM - 4 PM Daily
Test ride Burton's latest equipment for free (credit card, I.D. and liability release required), win prizes in the KNOW contest, get the 6 and unders shredding in the Riglet Park and attend the Apres Ski Party Saturday.
Dec. 22: Meadows
After Dark Rail Jam Series
3 – 8 PM in
Shipyard – Free registration with divisions for lower and upper level skiers
and snowboarders. Helmet required (and parental release if under 18.) Awesome
prizes from sponsors Nike, Never Summer, Icelantic and Trew.
Dec. 22: Steeps Clinic
For advanced and
expert skiers and riders to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain
taught by our most certified and strongest pros.
Dec. 23: Womens Clinic
For women and taught by our most certified and experience female instructors in
a fun and supportive environment. Available for intermediate and above skiers
and riders.
Dec. 24-25: Ski with Santa
Santa’s revving up for his big night so here’s your chance to give him your
last-minute Christmas list.
Dec. 29: Telemark Clinics
For beginning through expert telemarkers. Improve your technique with one of our experienced, certified instructors. Participants will be grouped together based on ability level and desired outcomes
Dec. 30: Steeps Clinic
For advanced and expert skiers and riders to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain taught by our most certified and strongest pros.
Dec. 31: New
Year's Eve Celebration presented by Widmer Brothers Brewing
Mt. Hood Meadows
celebrates New Year's Eve with a fireworks display, spectacular buffet dinner
and party featuring “Keegan Smith and the Fam”! We'll run the lifts until Midnight to allow revelers to ski or ride in
the New Year. A fireworks display will be launched around 10 PM. The dinner has three
seatings (5-6; 6:30-7:30 and 8-9) and “Keegan Smith” will perform from 8 PM -
12:15 AM! Vertical will be set with a casino party.
Purchase tickets, dinners, party and bus seats online in advance on-line. Brrring in the New Year at Mt. Hood Meadows - presented by Widmer Brothers
Brewing and Brrr Seasonal Ale. Adult party buses scheduled from the Monarch
Hotel in Clackamas.
Jan. 1: College Bowl Games on the Big Screen
TVs at the Vertical Restaurant and Sports Bar.
Jan 2-4: 3 Day Holiday Kids Camp
Designed for youth from ages 6 - 12, we team up the kids with others their same age and ability with four hours of on the snow instruction from a certified pro each day. Supervision is provided all day and lunch is included. Make reservations @ 503.337.2222 x1419.
Jan 2-4: 3 Day Freestyle Camp
For those wanting to learn freestyle technique of intermediate or more advanced ability. Make reservations @ 503.337.2222 x1419.
12/16/2012 10:40:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Parks Blog
| 1 comment
The Burton Mountain Festival includes an activity for kids as young as 3 years old - the Riglet Park. This is an area set aside for kids to demo small sized Burton boots strap on a Burton board with a Riglet Reel - a leash that allows for smooth pulling. The area has small snow features for fun sliding, which also helps build balance and technique.
The Riglet Park is scheduled to operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM - 3 PM. There is no charge, although parents will need to sign a liability release for their kids. No preregistration is needed, but equipment is limited to 15 sets, so there may be a wait depending on the turn out. Riglet sessions will be about 15 minutes in length (longer if there isn't a wait.) Helmets are strongly suggested. Our instructors will pull the kids through the park - parents provide support (and take pictures!)
If the slideshow below doesn't work CLICK HERE.
12/14/2012 12:27:00 PM
by Matt Zaffino
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 5 comments
Powder Alert - Dec 14, 2012
Greetings, skiers, boarders and lovers of sweet sweet powder.
It’s going to be a really good weekend. In fact, it’s been a good start to the season… gradual increases in the snowpack, no long dry spells even if we’ve not had any huge snowfalls.
We’ve got a weak storm bringing a few inches Friday, so there may be a little new snow to play with Saturday. But a stronger storm brings the goods Saturday night and Sunday, for 4 to 8 inches of fluff. Maybe more. And it keeps coming after that. A strong storm Sunday night and Monday promises more powder Monday into Tuesday. That one may create an outbreak of the “foot new flu”.
Right now, I’d pick Sunday and Tuesday as the best days: deepest new snow and lowest snow levels, about 2,000 feet Sunday and 2,500 feet Tuesday. For that matter, nothing wrong with Monday’s snow, it’ll just be a little windier and stormier.
Check out these photos from the last week of snow storms at Meadows!
Later next week, we see a dry day with light winds and good visibility Wednesday, so that’s as close as we get to a bluebird day in the next week. Then, the coldest air of the season arrives Thursday, dropping the snow level down to 1,000 feet. We’ll probably only see a couple inches of snow that day, as we may be transitioning into a bit if a dry spell. So get those turns in while the snow is fresh!
Happy Holidays,
Matt Zaffino
Chief Meteorologist
KGW Media Group
(Matt Zaffino has been forecasting powder days in Oregon for over 25 years. An avid back-country telemark skier, he’s hit the slopes of Oregon from his previous home near Mt Ashland to secret powder stashes in the Wallowa’s, while logging as many runs as possible at all of the resorts in the Oregon Cascades.)
12/2/2012 8:32:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Weather Blog, Media Center
| 2 comments
Video by Pierce Hodges shot Sunday 12.2.12 @ Mt. Hood Meadows
The change from November to December was punctuated with a powdery winter storm that dropped a foot of fresh at Meadows through Sunday morning. The storm continues to dump at a rate of an inch an hour, making for some exceptional early season powderr skiing! Photos were taken Saturday before the brunt of the storm hit. Photos by Temira @ Mt. Hood Meadows! Enjoy!
The welcome storm has bolstered Meadows base depth to 38" which is expected to grow as the storm continues through Sunday. Early season conditions still exist so you'll need to be aware of unmarked obstacles, but it's certainly the best conditions we've seen so far this very young season.
We'll be evaluating conditions once the storm rolls through (expecting higher freezing levels on Tuesday) - we'll see how we "weather that weather" and determine implications for night operations, Hood River Meadows and Nordic Center operations at that time. Keep doing your snow dances - they're working!"
11/30/2012 5:42:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 4 comments
Matt Zaffino's has issued his first powder alert for Ski Oregon. Check it out!
Skier, boarder, and lovers of mountain snow… here we go! Welcome to Ski Season 2012-2013.
But what about the season overall? Every fall I get asked “should I buy a season’s pass this year?” People just cut right to the chase. What I want to say back is “I don’t know, will you use it? Will your wife/husband/SO get mad if you do? Will you get mad if you don’t?” All things I can’t answer and really don’t care about, and besides, I know what they really mean is…
WILL IT BE A GOOD YEAR ON THE MOUNTAIN????
To which I say, this year, YES! I think it will be a good year for the Northwest snowpack and for the West in general. Maybe not as strong as two years ago, when on April 15 Timberline had 203” of snow, but then again most years aren’t.
What’s happening? First, the El Niño that seemed to be developing in late summer and early fall has stopped developing. I wasn’t too worried about this anyway, because indications were that it would be a weak El Niño, and we’ve seen some amazing snowfall in years with weak El Niño But the fact that it’s not developing and is not expected to developing the months ahead, is generally good news for Northwest skiers. There are some other patterns of climatic variability I look at, but El Nino/La Nina seems to have the best correlation to northern hemisphere winter weather. But here comes the disclaimers, and no it's not about calling your doctor if it snows for more than four hours.
Each El Nino, or no Nino in this case, is unique. And, there are probably other climatic patterns that we're missing. And perhaps the biggest disclaimer is that skill in long range winter forecasts isn't great.
That said, I see no reason to believe this won't be a good year. I expect our typical amount of variability, meaning we can go from big snowfalls with a 1,000 to 2,000 foot snow level, to pineapple express and ski slope rain. Hey we all know it happens, and there's no reason to believe it won't this year. Warm happens even in a “cold” year. Likewise, even in a “warm” year, and I'm not saying this winter will be a warm one, but even in a warm winter there can easily be a two to three week period of excellent skiing.
Full disclosure... we're planning on taking a trip to Whitefish, MT this year on the ski train. Not that I think that will be THE only place with great snow. But I don't see any reason it'll be a bad year for the northern Rockies. Or for the great Northwest!
Moving forward I plan on issuing powder alerts when the storms begin to line up, in hope of helping you plan your outings for primo conditions. I'll also post when there's anything interesting to report. And you can follow me on twitter @Zaffino, where I tend to post more immediate tidbits regarding weather and skiing.
Happy Trails and Turns,
Matt Zaffino
Chief Meteorologist
KGW Media Group
11/23/2012 5:17:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Parks Blog
| 5 comments
Pierce Hodges Video
We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. Meadows opened the season Thursday with good coverage and even some freshies for those choosing to recreate on the holiday. There were smiles a plenty and raves about the coverage, overall condition of the mountain and the new RFID gates.
An extraordinary effort to haul parking lot snow to the lifts allowed for the Thanksgiving day opening. The entire maze line at Mt. Hood Express and the other three lifts that opened were built up from the parking lot snow, thanks to a rented "Dump Cat". Thousands of cubic tons of snow was hauled over two days to enable the opening.
The Shipyard rail park also benefited from the dump cat's efforts, opening with no less than eight features and four separate lines for jibbin'.
Patrol and lift crews worked tirelessly through the day, and were able to open our 2nd high speed quad Shooting Star for some late afternoon fun.
Meadows is open for the season operating from 9 AM - 4 PM daily until night operations kick in (once we get some more snow).
Cheers to a great season!
11/21/2012 9:59:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 8 comments
For the fourth consecutive season lifts will be turning on Thanksgiving day at Mt. Hood Meadows. The resort will open for the 2012/13 season Thanksgiving, with four lifts scheduled to operate from 9 AM – 4 PM. The resort currently has a 33 inch base, thanks to almost two feet of snow which has fallen since Saturday. And with more snow forecast this weekend, resort officials are confident the resort will continue daily operations for the season.
Video by Pierce Hodges
Lifts scheduled include the Mt. Hood Express high speed quad, Daisy, Easy Rider and the Buttercup beginner chair. The “Fun Zone” serviced by Mt. Hood’s only enclosed conveyer – the Ballroom Carpet – will also operate. Early season conditions exist, with good to thin coverage on the groomed runs, with exposed grass, rocks – skiers and snowboarders should be aware of unmarked obstacles. More lifts and terrain will be opened as snow coverage and conditions allow. Meadows Shipyard park will feature several rails for some early season jibbing.
Uphill traffic will be allowed only on designated climbing routes - no uphill within the permit area as Meadows crew and equipment on the mountain preparing for opening.
Day lift passes will be $59 for adults, $39 for ages 14 and under (and seniors 65 and older) and $10 for 6 ages and under. on opening day. The price will increase as more lifts and terrain is added.
The ski and snowboard school will be fully operational, offering group and private lessons for adults and kids, including the resort’s state certified Day Care Center. Culinary services will be serving up breakfast and lunch in the Schuss with lunch and après ski in the Alpenstube. The popular “Fresh Tracks Deli” will also be open for local, fresh, organic and gluten free selections, and the Coffee Cart each morning.
The equipment rental center will be open (a good choice for early season conditions) and the resort retail shops, Outer Limits Sports and the High Performance Center will be open for outer wear, hard goods and last minute accessory (gloves and goggles) purchases.
The shops are offering Black Friday deals all weekend long with discounts up to 50%, including 20% off this year’s selection of skis, boards, bindings and outerwear. Free mounting is offered on any ski/binding purchase.
Pass holder services will be open by 8 AM each morning for those needing to have their new RFID season pass issued.
10/25/2012 1:00:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 11 comments
A new Pisten Bully snow groomer has joined our fleet of grooming machines. The PB-400 is similar in performance standards to the BR-350 Prinoth machines which constitute the majority of our grooming fleet. We received a new Prinoth last week, just before the snow arrived.
Pisten Bully 400 arrives at Mt. Hood Meadows October 25. Photo Steve Warila
These machines are powerful enough to move snow uphill (the average skier or snowboarder can displace a ton of snow in a normal ski day) and feature state-of-the-art controls so the operator can articulate and shape the blade for precision snow moving. The flex tiller is designed to lay down a smooth path of corduroy, riding over the nuances of skied up snow.
New Prinoth BR-350 arrives at Meadows October 17. Photo Steve Warila
Reaching speeds of up to 14 mph, these cats can lay down a pathway of tilled snow nearly 14 feet wide with every pass. The two new machines fortify our fleet which is already one of the most advanced in the Northwest.
Now all we need is snow to groom!
10/8/2012 6:48:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, RFID
| 16 comments
A crew of installers from Ski Data are on-site to install the access gates at our lifts in preparation for the season. Following an intense training session for Meadows staff members, the crew proceeded to the Stadium lift where these photos were taken.
In total, 35 gates will be installed over the course of the next two weeks. In preparation for the install, Meadows worked diligently to upgrade the copper wire network serving each lift location with fiber optic - to create a faster and more reliable network. "Fixed" gantries were constructed at Vista, Stadium and the Hood River Express high speed lifts, and "variable height adjustable" gantries were constructed at Easy Rider, Blue and Mt. Hood Express. These gantries allow for nearly 7 feet of travel to adjust the gantry to the changing snow depths. Cascade, Shooting Star, Daisy, Butter Cup and Heather will use "sled" gantries, which can be moved for grooming, and then slide back into place again.
The entire installation is scheduled for completion October 17.
9/13/2012 7:10:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, RFID
| 12 comments
A semi truck rolled into the Meadows parking lot today, carrying the gantries fabricated in Europe in May and June and shipped to Meadows just before the 4th of July. Eleven gantries - five of them "Sleds" and six "fixed" - were fabricated in Switzerland. Our RFID gates (which arrived a few weeks ago) will be hung from these gantries at each of our lifts.
Thanks to Steve Warila for the photos.
Our crews have been busy this summer, upgrading our mountain network from copper wire to fiber optics which will increase data transmission speed and provide greater reliability. Foundations have already been poured for the fixed gantries which will be installed this month.
Teams from Ski Data will be here in three weeks train our crews and install the 35 gates which will be used this season for pass verification at our lifts. The installation is scheduled to be completed October 17 - so if we do get an early snow we'll be ready!
8/30/2012 6:09:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 86 comments
Purchasing by November 4 nets BIG savings on Meadows season passes
New RFID gate technology offers new products and even greater passholder convenience!
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – Mt. Hood Meadows 2012/13 season passes are on sale offering a savings of nearly 50% if purchased by November 4th. Meadows offers a variety of customized passes – season long for those able to take advantage of one of the longest ski seasons in North America, or limited passes for selective midweek or night riding.
All passholders will enjoy the added convenience of the
RFID access gates being installed at every lift at Meadows for the 2012/13 season. The gates allow passage without having to physically display or scan a pass – the passholder wears the pass in their jacket. No more waiting in line while others fumble for their passes for scanning, which means faster passage to the awesome terrain Meadows is so well known for.
The
RFID technology allows the resort to offer a new “direct to lift – pay-as-you-go” class of products, offering guests who back their pass with a credit card a greater selection of products to meet their life style and pocketbook. This season the resort debuts it’s “
Midweek+ Pass” – a midweek pass which offers the passholder discounts if used weekends or peak times, and the “
Meadows Club Card” – a pay-as-you-go pass featuring discounts and FREE days.
Purchase By November 4th to SAVE BIG on these individual passes!
Mt. Hood Meadows is offering individual discounts on season passes purchased online by November 4th.
AGE
|
BY 11.4
|
AFTER 11.4
|
SAVINGS |
DAYS TO PAY*
|
23 - 64
|
$524
|
$999
|
48% |
6 OR 7
|
15 - 22
|
$384 |
$669
|
43% |
4 OR 5
|
7 - 14
|
$264 |
$449
|
41% |
6 |
65+
|
$384 |
$449 |
15% |
7 OR 8
|
6 & Under
|
$25 |
$25 |
|
3 |
10X Pass
|
$419
|
$459
|
9% |
5 or 6
|
Midweek
|
$429 |
$429
|
|
6 |
| Midweek+ |
$379 |
$379 |
|
5 |
| Night |
$129 |
$129 |
|
5 |
| 65+ w/Bus |
$454 |
$454 |
|
6 or 7
|
65+ w/Bus includes 8 midweek bus rides on Meadows Midweek Bus Program
* Days to Pay based on day lift pass pricing @ $89 on Peak Days and $74 Off-Peak
|
Passholders also receive valuable discounts on resort services; 10% off retail purchases, demo equipment, ski school lessons and day care; plus special offers in the restaurants. Passholders are automatically enrolled in Meadows vertical challenge and loyalty programs.
Midweek and Meadows After Dark Night Specialty Passes
Meadows specialty passes offer great value for those whose schedules allow midweek or night riding. The midweek pass is $429 and is good every Monday - Friday (except from December 26-31, 2012). The Meadows After Dark night pass is $129 and offers night riding from 3 - 9 PM Wednesday - Sunday evenings during the night operating season.
New “Direct to Lift” Credit Card-Backed Products
One of the many benefits of RFID gates is affordable “pay as you go” products, so the passholder receives direct to lift convenience (no stop at a ticket window) and their credit card is auto-charged at pre-determined discounted rates.
The new Midweek+ Pass is $379, and includes all week days (except December 26 – 31, 2012). The “plus” means the passholder can use the pass on weekends and peak days, and be auto-charged $59 or $79 respectively.
The new Meadows Club Card is $99 and offers the 1st and 5th days of skiing FREE! Your 2nd, 3rd and 4th visits will be auto-charges at $59 on off-peak days (saving $15), $79 on peak days (saving $10). Club Card members receive additional FREE days every 5th visit (5th time, 10th time, 15th time, etc.). Members also receive a $5 discount off night tickets (normally $30 – these visits do not count towards free days).
Meadows Club Card members and Midweek+ passholders receive the same valuable discounts on resort services as season passholders, and are automatically enrolled in Meadows vertical challenge and loyalty programs.
Pass Protection “Refund Insurance” Offered
Mt. Hood Meadows is offering “Pass Protection” to passholders concerned that their season could be interrupted due to injury, medical condition or relocation. The pass protection is $25 and the passholder must enroll within 7 days of their pass purchase. Then, if they become medically unable to ski or ride, are transferred/move out of the area more than 301 miles, or are military deployed, a refund/rollover credit will be determined at a prorated schedule. Refund requests based on weather conditions are not eligible for refunds.
Add-Ons Create Even More Pass Holder Value
- $35 Season Ski Check – Season long security for your skis or snowboard while you’re in our main lodge.
- $20 SkiGreen Offsets – Love Your Mountain by offsetting your vehicle’s CO2 emissions for the season.
- $400 Cooper Spur Family Season Lift and Tubing Pass – For everyone in your family that is purchasing Meadows season passes.
- $40 Nordic Pass – for both Meadows and Cooper Spur Nordic Centers (normally $80).
- Add Value – Charge up your pass with value to use throughout the resort – the value is on your pass for ultimate convenience.
8/29/2012 12:00:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 8 comments
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) -- Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is taking action to reduce peak day parking issues. Long-term Mt. Hood Meadows is addressing this important issue with an additional parking lot, currently undergoing review by the U.S. Forest Service. Resort officials are moving forward with additional initiatives this season to reduce the number of days it reaches parking capacity.
The multi-faceted initiative includes subsidizing transportation programs to the mountain, increasing employee shuttle bus routes, promoting ride sharing and creating peak day pricing. The initiatives are intended to significantly reduce or possibly eliminate the number of days the resort reaches parking capacity.
Nearly all the days Meadows reached parking capacity coincided with storms delivering substantial snow and powder conditions on a major holiday weekend; when the weather conditions on one of the weekend days was far superior to the other. In many cases the other Mt. Hood resorts and other resorts throughout the Northwest also exceeded parking capacity on those days.
Meadows has identified the days most likely to reach parking capacity - December 26 - 31, 2012 and Saturdays and Sundays in January and February. It is these days the resort's peak day parking plan will be most effective in optimizing the parking resources at the resort.
Subsidized Bus and Lift Packages
Mt. Hood Meadows will reduce the price of shuttle rides to the resort to $20 round trip, from last season's $30. The resort will increase the number of park and ride shuttles operating on peak days from one to four, and also offer the $20 transportation price to all guests purchasing Meadows multi-day ski and snowboard programs. The subsidized pricing is expected to increase bus ridership by 25% this season, and provide an additional 300 seats on peak days, which would remove more than 100 vehicles traveling to the resort those days.
Rescheduling Competition and Race Events
Meadows can reduce another 100 vehicles on peak days simply by rescheduling competitive and race events to off-peak days or different times on peak days.
Employee Transportation
For the past several years, the resort has achieved employee ridership of over 12,000 each season. Meadows will increase the number of employee shuttle bus routes and offer more flexible shuttle bus schedules and pick up points. The target is to reduce an additional 150 vehicles per peak day off highway 35 in the 2012-2013 season.
Carpooling
Drive Less Connect (drivelessconnect.com) was launched in November 2011 by ODOT. This website is promoted on SkiHood.com to guests to find others traveling to Meadows - and ultimately reduce the amount of vehicles coming to the mountain. Creative incentive programs are being created for guests and employees who use such resources to rideshare to Mt. Hood Meadows.
Information Sharing
Mt. Hood Meadows provides timely parking updates on its conditions page, snow report and twitter tweets, anticipating days when parking may be an issue and recommending guests alter their arrival times to the resort to avoid parked out lots. The resort will increase the number of variable message signs mounted on mountain ready vehicles located at the intersections of MHM access roads and Highway 35 to provide current traffic information messages as directed by ODOT staff.
Peak Day Pricing
The all day lift price at Mt. Hood Meadows this season is $74. However, on Peak days, the price will be $89 - the additional cost of a peak day should serve as an incentive to drive peak day traffic to off-peak time frames. Meadows is also making less pre-purchased tickets available on peak days so the result should be more people making plans to recreate on off-peak time frames.
Third Party Transportation Services
Mt. Hood Meadows partners with third party transportation services, offering season pass incentives and special lift pricing for passengers. Meadows currently works with Sea to Summit, Aspen Limo, the Grease Bus and The Inn at White Salmon which all offer guest shuttle services and scheduled to Meadows.
Après Ski
Mt. Hood Meadows' Vertical and Alpenstube Restaurants offer Après Ski promotions from 3pm to 6pm, helping to spread out the egress from Mt. Hood Meadows. Food and drink promotions along with live music and other entertainment is offered during Après Ski times.
8/29/2012 8:54:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 3 comments
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort has announced lift ticket pricing for the 2012/13 season. Adult lift tickets in Off-Peak time frames hold steady at last season’s $74 price, but this season those tickets will include night skiing for an even greater value. Peak Day adult tickets will be $89. Meadows adopted the Peak Day pricing schedule to provide pricing incentives to redirect traffic from Peak Days when parking lots reach capacity (
see Peak Day Parking Initiative Blog).
The resort will feature
RFID access gates to improve the lift boarding experience for guests this season. The traditional “ticket and wicket” will be replaced with a card with an embedded RFID chip that signals the gates at each lift for access. The card can be reused or reloaded for future visits at a discount – a much more sustainable approach than the ticket which became invalid after each day’s use.
The resort will also the
Meadows Club Card for $99 – a loyalty pass that offers the 1st and 5th time free, and every 5th thereafter for free. In between the passholder is “auto-charged” either $59 or $79 on Off-Peak or Peak days respectively.
Lift Pricing
pricing
|
OFFpeak |
peak*
|
Adult (Age 15-64)
|
$74
|
$89
|
Reload Card
|
$69 |
$84 |
Meadows Club Card
|
$59 |
$79 |
Junior (Age 7-14)
|
$46 |
$46
|
Senior (Age 65-69)
|
$56 |
$56
|
Senior (Age 70+)
|
$46 |
$46 |
Child (Age 6 & Under)
|
$10 |
$10 |
Night (3 PM - Close)
|
$30
|
$30
|
Buttercup & Ballroom Carpet Only
|
$46 |
$46
|
Ballroom Carpet Fun Zone Access
|
$10 |
$10 |
*Peak days are December 26-31, 2012, as well as Saturdays & Sundays in January & February.
**Reload Card Rates for those claiming their card and reloading it online in advance.
|
The most affordable pricing is offered to those purchasing
loyalty passes by the November 4 deadline at pricing which pays for itself usually in 7 visits or less. Meadows also offers discounted lift tickets to groups of 15 or more, to guests of select lodging properties, when packaged with special transportation, lesson and/or rental packages, through special online offers and at REI and Costco. Those deals will be announced on the
resort’s deals page.
7/30/2012 10:30:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, FAQ, RFID
| 2 comments
This is a video player featuring our new RFID access gates. Click on "PlayList" on the bottom left side of the player to scroll over the different topics of the videos. Enjoy!
7/12/2012 7:13:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, FAQ, RFID
| 56 comments
New RFID gates and passes eliminate traditional lift ticket while providing more convenience, accurate vertical feet tracking and innovative products
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – The traditional lift ticket – a staple on guests at Mt. Hood Meadows and many other resorts – will no longer be used at the resort. Mt. Hood Meadows is installing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) gates at all of its lifts this summer, allowing guests to board lifts without showing their lift ticket. Guests will carry a unique RFID card or pass in their jacket or on an arm band. An embedded RFID chip triggers the gate to open for valid passes, eliminating the requirement for guests to present their pass or lift ticket for hand scanning.
Improving the Lift Boarding Experience - #1 Customer Complaint
Resort Executive Director of Communications, Dave Tragethon expects the new technology will have a significant improvement on the guest experience. “Showing a ticket or season pass for scanning, every time a lift is boarded is the number one guest complaint at Mt. Hood Meadows. The RFID access gates will allow instant and consistent verification, with the card or pass tucked securely in a guests’ pocket. Guests will no longer need to fumble for their ticket, holding up others for scanning. This will improve lift line flow and the overall experience. In essence, we are freeing our guests and our attendants from this challenging task, particularly during stormy weather. The system will also allow our tremendous Lift Operations staff to continue to focus on safety and hospitality for our guests.”
Accurate Vertical Feet Tracking Even on the Upper Mountain
Meadows will install the access gates at every lift, including the upper lifts where in the past the resort did not regularly scan passes. Passholders and guests who “claim” their day passes will be able to track their vertical online - every lift ride, every day, for the entire season.
New Products Encourage Repeat Visits Through Lower Prices
The technology brings with it new products that encourage repeat trips to Meadows, with lower prices.
• A “Reload” card allows the user to “claim” their day on the mountain by registering the card later online. Then the owner can reload the card at reduced rates for future visits, and also keep accurate tracking of their vertical.
• Credit Card Backed “Pay as You Go” passes – These products allow guests to purchase at a low price, and then pay a reduced day rate as they use their pass. Their credit card is automatically charged each day they use their pass at the pre-agreed upon rate, essentially allowing the pass holder to create their own mini-season pass.
The Last Pass You’ll Ever Need – A Sustainable Initiative
The Loyalty Passes issued this season can be conveniently renewed on-line, at the resort, or at the new Portland Sales and Communications Office (1202 NW 17th Avenue) and used at Meadows for as long as the RFID gate system is in place. Passholders will no longer need to have a new pass reissued each season, reducing the traditional PVC card stock cost as well as reducing the hassle and inconvenience of having to purchase new passes each year.
The day passes issued at the resort can be recycled and recoded for re-use on future days, again reducing the need for replacement stock. This is a system designed to eliminate waste that the old “lift ticket and wicket system” created, and significantly improve convenience and flexibility for loyal guests.
The FreeMotion.Gate is designed and manufactured in Austria by SkiData and has been widely used at European resorts for many years. The single-arm gate swings open once a verified pass signal is received. Meadows attendants will be stationed at each gate to assist guests. The gates are scheduled to be installed by October 2012, in time for the start of the 2012-13 season.
5/14/2012 6:58:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 1 comment
Guests traveling to Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort next season will be directed by energy efficient message board truck signs thanks to a Sustainable Slopes Grant from the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA.) In the past the parking trucks needed to idle to power the message board sign. The grant allows Meadows to convert three of the truck signs to battery power, resulting in a fuel savings and carbon dioxide reduction of 75%.
The system was developed this past season by Meadows’ Vehicle Shop Manager Jeremy Evans, who converted one of the resort’s parking trucks, with a strong battery and a waterproof battery charger. Before conversion, the battery was not strong enough to hold a charge to power the electronic message board without idling the engine. The resort’s “Know Idling” program promotes idling only when necessary and the energy grant now helps the parking trucks comply with the program.
Meadows also received a sustainable energy grant last year to install bottle filling stations making it easy for guests to refill their water bottles, reducing the amount of disposable plastic bottles. Resort Sustainability Manager Heidi Logosz says the grants assist Meadows’ sustainability initiatives. “We’re constantly striving to decrease unnecessary use of resources and increase environmentally preferred ways of doing business. We’ve had many successes and continue to increase sustainable practices while reducing our impact.”
Mt. Hood Meadows is also participating in NSAA’s Climate Challenge, a voluntary program to inventory, target and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Five other ski areas received NSAA Sustainable Slopes Grants include Beaver Valley Ski Club in Ontario, Canada, Burke Mountain, Vermont, Canyons Resort, Utah, Spirit Mountain, Minnesota and Telluride Ski and Golf Resort in Colorado.
“These grants are a great vehicle for implementing sustainability projects at U.S. ski areas and in particular help us highlight the fantastic work going on at ski area members who have committed to the Climate Challenge,” says NSAA President Michael Berry. These grants were made possible by generous donations from the Sustainable Slopes Grant program sponsors, CLIF Bar, LeitWind and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
For more information on NSAA’s Sustainable Slopes Grant program or to learn more about environmental initiatives and projects visit the Environment section of nsaa.org.
4/30/2012 6:00:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 101 comments
As we draw to the end of our daily operations, we want to thank all of our guests who visited our resort this season. We appreciate your support and loyalty – particularly those who have been coming up in April. We wish there were more of you. Based on the turn out the past few weeks we know that a lot of you have moved on to the recreation and activities of summer.
And so we announce that this weekend – Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th, will be our last days of operation for this season. We would like to end on a strong note, so we’re providing this advance notice so you can plan on getting your season-ending turns in.
Lifts scheduled each day from 9 AM – 3 PM are Mt. Hood Express, Cascade Express, Buttercup and the Ballroom Carpet. Lift tickets will be $49 – and all season passes (including night and midweek) will be honored these days. The forecast is looking good now, but keep in mind that weather can affect operations.
We’ll operate ski and snowboard school for lessons, rentals, our retail shops, and Day Care. The Paradise Sun Deck and the Schuss will be open, as well as the Alpenstube. Rose City and the Zoo will offer freestyling, and the SuperPipe will also be cut for the weekend.
We hope you can make it up Saturday or Sunday, or better yet both days! And remember, a good-bye is never painful unless you’re never going to say hello again. We’re already planning on a great season for 2012-13!
See you on the mountain,
Meadows Team
4/29/2012 12:04:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 3 comments
Spectators packed the base area Saturday to cheer on the 100 brave competitors skimming across the 90 foot pond at the 6th Annual Sno-Kona Pond Skim at Mt. Hood Meadows Saturday. Hawaiian themed and outlandish costumes adorned the courageous competitors, as they rode down the in-run on skis or snowboard towards the icy pond. Nearly 70 competitors made it across the pond their qualifying run, leading to a spectacular final round.
At stake - was the coveted first prize – a trip for two to Hawaii from All About Hawaii. With fashionable and high tech costumes like Erik Brown (dressed as a robot, successfully skimmed the pond and did the robot dance) took third and won a $50 gift certificate to Portland’s Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Restaurant. Five-time veteran Bruce Kuper took 2nd (and won a Kona beach cruiser) dressed as a Hawaiian warrior. And first place was Tory Robinson – dressed as James Bond, who freed some women in distressed, killed a bad guy, and then dropped to his knee and proposed to Sabrina LaGood, who accepted and is now his fiancé.
The player below features several videos from the Pond Skim - enjoy!
Judges Matt Zaffino of KGW, Bozyk from 105.9 the Brew, Squid from 947 along with Pamela from Popina Swimwear and Brad from All About Hawaii agreed that the style, staging, and ultimately successful proposal won Tory and Sabrina a honeymoon in Hawaii.
For pictures of the final round visit Grant Myrdal's web site.
Natalie Welsch made the best impression as a women contestant with her “Victoria’s Secret Angel Fish” costume and received a $250 Popina Swimwear gift certificate.
Clayton Ewen (a whoopee cushion) and Lowell Neal (a 6’2” Oompa Loompa) got best splash prizes and received $50 Mt. Hood Meadows gift cards.
Best costume awards went to St. John Laughlin’s “Who’s your Daddy” with five baby (dolls) and luggage attached; and Kirk Zach dressed as a mug of Kona brew. Each received $50 Meadows gift cards.
The Retro Active Gamma Rays provided surf music for the event, and Jillian Rabe Productions put on the Popina Swimwear Fashion Show. The event was sponsored by Kona Brewing, All About Hawaii, KEEN, Popina Swimwear, Tim’s Cascade Snacks and Jillian Rabe Productions.
4/20/2012 3:39:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Weather Blog, Media Center
| 1 comment
April 22 is Earth Day - but really, shouldn't every day be Earth Day? Sustainability is one of our core values at Mt. Hood Meadows. We are proud of these initiatives we have taken to and are committed to to operate as sustainably as possible.
Saturday (April 21) we've invited the Quartz Creek Drummers and Dancers and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Chief Delvis Heath to present a thank you to Mother Earth ceremony on our Sun Deck. With a forecast for sunshine and spring skiing both Saturday and Sunday, we truly have a lot to be thankful for!
The Ceremony will begin at 2:30 PM with a prayer of thanks from Chief Heath.
Midweek Operations End April 23 - 27 - Special $25 Lift Ticket
We're heading into our last week of daily operations, and offering up a terrific deal on midweek lift tickets. You can purchase your 9 AM - 4 PM lift ticket for only $25, Monday - Friday next week.
This week the weather has been brutal - as April showers have been keeping you away. As we look at next week, we may need to limit operations depending on the forecast, such as not operating Hood River Express or Shooting Star on days that the weather just doesn't warrant it. We'd prefer to save our resources to operate on days when you want to come out and enjoy the weather. We'll try to give as much advance notice as possible - by the afternoon or evening before - if we anticipate changes to our scheduled lift operations.
Weekends in May
We're keeping an eye on this warmer, wetter spring weather pattern. We're hoping the rainy days stay away in May, and that we get sunny skies for our weekend operations. However, check our conditions page as we approach each weekend. We may alter the schedule depending on the forecast. So we may announce that we won't operate on Saturday (if it's going to rain) but be open Sunday that weekend only.
4/2/2012 1:38:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 20 comments
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – March precipitation set records in Portland – more than double the monthly average (and the most in 81 years!) Likewise, Mt. Hood Meadows received a heaping helping of March snow – more than 15 feet – growing the resort’s base snow depth to an impressive 174 inches. The resort has received 527” of snow (almost 44 feet) this season, most of it since mid-January, well ahead of its 430” average.
Lifts Operate Daily through April 29 - then Weekends in May
With lifts already scheduled to operate daily through April 29, the resort has announced it will extend the season on weekends into May, setting May 20 as the current end date for the season. May operations are dependent on good conditions and turnout, but the amount of snow and coverage should not be an issue. May hours will be from 9 AM – 2 PM Saturdays and Sundays, with Mt. Hood Express, Buttercup and Cascade Express scheduled to operate. Scheduled lifts, conditions and lift ticket prices will be presented on the resort’s conditions page.
The
Unlimited Spring Pass (on sale for $149) will be honored the rest of the season, included the extended days in May.
Storm recovery efforts today opened up the Cascade Express – the resort’s highest lift – providing high speed service to the 7,300 foot level. The lift had lain dormant for almost a week while the upper mountain was pummeled by a powerful spring storm dropping several feet of snow. Crews deiced the lift, knocking foot thick rime ice from the lift towers and haul rope. Snowcats plowed out the piled up and drifted snow from under the haul rope to provide clearance for skiers and snowboarders. Their tireless efforts resulted in opening the high speed quad with limited grooming shortly after noon.
3/30/2012 9:15:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 1 comment
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – Mt. Hood Meadows is scheduled to operate daily through April 29. But our popular “
Meadows After Dark” night operations will conclude this Sunday, April 1. To celebrate we're offering a
special $10 online ticket good from 3 – 9 PM Sunday evening. The ticket will be $15 if purchased at the resort.
With good November snow and a return to winter in March, we operated a record setting 96 nights this season. Meadows After Dark has become a popular and affordable alternative for those whose schedules don’t allow regular day skiing.
Nordic Center Winter Season Ends Sunday – But Special Spring Nordic Session Offered
The resort’s
Nordic Center will also wrap up the season this Sunday, having operated five days a week since mid-December. The resort will be offering Spring Nordic Skiing on a special track set at its base area for six days in June (June 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10) in conjunction with Nordic Skate Skiing Clinics for Juniors and Masters.
42 FEET of Snow So Far This Season - 165” Base Depth – and Growing!
A marvelous March will turn into an amazing April with 14 feet of snow as its base depth, and another powder making storm promising several more feet of fresh snow this week, the resort is enjoying some of the best snow conditions in the country. So far the resort has received 503” of snow since it started tallying in November, well above its 430” seasonal average.
Season Extension Into May Planned
Mt. Hood Meadows is scheduled to operate daily through April 29. Resort officials are planning on extending the season through the first three weekends of May on a weekend to weekend basis, depending on weather, snow conditions and turn out; making May 20 the new proposed closing day. Operational schedules will be updated on our conditions page and here on the blog.
The
$149 Unlimited Spring Season pass, along with Meadows other unlimited season passes will be honored on any operational days in May. The pass can be purchased at the ski resort or online.
Meadows offers a full calendar of events through April to celebrate spring!
Win a Trip from All About Hawaii! Registration begins April 1.
There’s also daily registration to win a trip from All About Hawaii beginning April 1, to be given away at the
Sno-Kona Pond Skim competition April 28 (must be present to win – one registration / person / day). The prize is an $1,800 travel voucher to be applied to a trip of your choice from All About Hawaii. (Hawaii is preferred, but All About Hawaii also offers vacations to other sunny locations.)
3/27/2012 1:04:00 AM
by Fred Noble, Honorary Chairman Ski to Defeat ALS
in Connection, Media Center
| 0 comments
Hello Everyone!
We are rapidly approaching the inaugural Ski to Defeat ALS event that The ALS Association is hosting at Mt. Hood Meadows on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
The support has been tremendous, to say the least, and we are closing in on our aggressive collective event goal of $100.000. Everyone has been so eager to help me that Team Fredinator has gone way beyond our wildest expectations. It is likely that we will exceed our team goal of $40,000! WOW! The question is: how much further can we go with this?
The answer is up to you. We have had donations of $10.00 to $11,000.00 Everything counts and whatever amount you donate, please know that you are a part of "Team Fredinator", with equal status of those who have opened their hearts and minds to fighting this dreadful disease.
If you have not joined my team, and plan to come to the event, please know that all participants, skiers, boarders and guests, must register by April 6, 2012. That is coming up fast!
For those that wish to ski or board that day, there is a $75 registration fee that includes your exclusive lift ticket, food and beverages for the day as well as participation in the contests and auction. Once registered, all participants are asked to collect a minimum of $150 in pledges. This is easy, I promise. Think of 10 friends who could each give up Starbucks for a week and donate $15. This minimum must be met by the day of the event in order to participate.
The Fredinator is practicing for the April 14 ALS event.
For those that wish to just come up for the food and beverages, and not play on the mountain, there is a $25 guest fee.
In order to make it easy for you to participate, please contact Meagan Lancaster, at The ALS Association. She can get you signed up and explain everything you need to know in order to participate - either as a skier or boarder or as a guest. She can be reached at 503.238.5559 ext 2 or ski@alsa-or.org.
For those who have already joined or made their donations, you have my deepest gratitude and I look forward to seeing you
on Saturday, April 14, 2012.
The Fredinator
Click here to visit my personal page.
Click here to view the team page for Team Fredinator
3/21/2012 11:11:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Media Center, Connection, Weather Blog
| 0 comments
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – Spring has arrived with a BANG at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort which has received almost 8 feet of snow in 10 days, including 25” in the past 24 hours. The resort’s base snow depth reached 171” and is still growing, as this storm is expected to drop several more inches, possibly feet by the weekend.
25” of snow in 24 hours – the popular “Picnic Table Shot” 3.21.12 (Photo by Krissy Fagan)
Mt. Hood Meadows has announced daily operations through April 29, and is considering extending operations on weekends into May depending on conditions and interest. The resort has also extended its “Meadows After Dark” Wednesday – Sunday night operations through Sunday, April 1. The “Unlimited Spring” season pass is good the rest of the season, and at $149 represents one of the best values in late season skiing and riding found anywhere. The pass can be purchased on the resort’s website, SkiHood.com, or at the ski resort.
Armpit deep powder adorns the slopes at Mt. Hood Meadows. 3.21.12 (Photo by Krissy Fagan)
3/13/2012 4:15:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 0 comments
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) – Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort’s new “Unlimited Spring” season pass went on sale Monday – offering the rest of the season for just $149. And right on cue the weather changed to winter, bringing a severe winter storm, which since Saturday has dropped more than two-feet of snow at the resort, a foot of it overnight. With a winter advisory and storm watch posted, the short term forecast has more snow with accumulations of two or more feet the rest of the week. The resort currently has a 140 inch snow depth in the base area, one of the deepest in the country.
Mt. Hood Meadows has announced daily operations through April 29, and is considering extending operations on weekends into May depending on conditions and interest. The resort also expects to offer “Meadows After Dark” Wednesday – Sunday night operations through Sunday, April 1. The “Unlimited Spring” season pass is good the rest of the season, and at $149 represents one of the best values in late season skiing and riding found anywhere. The pass can be purchased on the resort’s website, or at the ski resort.
The resort’s Nordic Center will also continue Thursday – Monday operations through Sunday, April 1, and a special $40 unlimited track pass is available for cross country skiers.
In addition to the primo snow conditions, Meadows offers up some great events in March.
Women’s Clinic – Saturday, March 17
For women only and taught by our most certified and experienced female instructors. Work on your skiing/riding in a fun supportive environment.
3rd Annual Meadows Film Festival – Sunday, March 18
Top 10 finalists will be presented at the Vertical Restaurant from 4 – 7 PM, with the grand prize winning $500 cash. Go Pro cameras and Columbia Sportwear backpacks are also included in the prizes. Full Sail Brewing, KEEN Footwear and vitaminwater® also sponsor the event.
NW Demo Tour – Sunday, March 18
Demo next year’s skis and snowboards for free (liability release with i.d. and credit card required) with more than a dozen manufacturers expected to attend.
Spring Brewfest – Saturday, March 24
Live music on deck, and beers by Oregon’s favorite microbrews. Cool off with some beverages, while soaking up the sun on the deck!
Steeps Clinic – Sunday, March 25
Available to advanced and expert skiers and riders. These clinics are designed to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain.
3 Day Holiday Kids Camps and Freestyle Camps – March 26 – 28
Ski and Snowboard camps for kids ages 4 – 12, along with freestyle camps for freestylers of any age.
Hood River Appreciation Day – Saturday, March 31
The Hood River Meadows (HRM) Lodge has a very strong local Hood River presence, and we want to acknowledge them and say thank you! We'll have music and raffles, and Hood River companies will provide food, beer and wine samples.
2/22/2012 6:35:00 PM
by Dave Tragethon
in Connection, Media Center
| 5 comments
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort has announced pricing and dates for the popular
Unlimited Spring Season Pass. The pass is $149 and will offer daily skiing and riding beginning March 12 through the rest of the season, including any bonus weekends the resort may add in May. Currently the resort is scheduled to operate daily through April 29.
Guests who purchase the pass early receive an additional bonus – $20 midweek lift tickets through March 9 – giving the passholder a jump-start on the spring skiing season. The midweek ticket is limited to one purchase each midweek day to be used by the passholder. The resort is also reducing the price of its season ski check to $15 to provide theft protection in its ski corral for the rest of the season.
The pass can be purchased
online, or at the ski resort.
2/22/2012 12:03:00 PM
by Dave Tragethon
in Connection, Media Center, Parks Blog
| 0 comments
The next stop on the national Under Armour 3RD RAIL JAM is Mt. Hood Meadows this Saturday, February 25. Now in it's 5th year, the 3rd Rail Jam is a national, touring, grassroots snow sport competition coupled with live hip-hop music, art, fashion, technology, and culture.
The Competition:
A slope styled rail contest held in true jam format. Judges are present at all features to provide the best scoring coverage possible. Each event allows for up to 150 riders separated into 4 divisions: all girls, 15 and under, best of breed, and skiers. Each division competes separately in a two round elimination for cash and prizes. There is a $25 entry fee, and $5 from each entry fee will be donated to AMPED 4-A-Cure to erase cancer. The event runs from 3 – 8 PM at Meadows’ Shipyard Rail Park.
Register on 3rd Rail Jam SiteAlso need a
Mt. Hood Meadows ReleaseLifestyle:
The 3RD Rail Jam has invited graffiti artists to create and present during the competition, while DJ’s spin hip hop and regional bands perform live (weather permitting.) The entire event will be presented to add vibe to the competition, and raise awareness and funding for AMPED 4-A-Cure to erase cancer.
1/28/2012 4:20:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 4 comments
Heather Canyon opened up from Moon Bowl down Friday at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort. Following avalanche reduction efforts and a final lift maintenance check, patrol opened the access gates to lower Heather for the first time this season. Also opened was the steep cliffed terrain of S&R Cliffs.
Pierce Hodges was on hand to video the first day in the Canyon.
And photographers Grant Myrdal and Richard Hallman were captured the rapture of fresh, untouched in the Canyon.
See more of Grant Myrdal's pictures here.
1/23/2012 7:43:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Weather Blog, Media Center
| 3 comments
The advanced gated access terrain in Private Reserve was opened for the first time this season Sunday. Elk and Yoda bowls and God's Wall were open and enjoyed by powder hounds. Private Reserve is part of our daily operational schedule, pending avalanche control work and conditions. We strongly recommend riding with a friend and carrying a beacon, shovel and probe. Pierce from mComm caught the action in PR Sunday.
The access gates to Heather Canyon and S&R Cliffs have not been opened, pending continued snow bridge building at the bottom of the canyon and assessment. Efforts continue and we'll provide updates here on the blog but for now please respect the boundaries - DO NOT duck a rope or pass through a closed gate. It only delays getting this terrain open.
Vista and Cascade are both on storm recovery. Our lift maintenance crews face major deicing - Vista was started Sunday and crews faced ladders totally encased in ice frozen to the tower itself. The break in the weather today will help and we'll get these lifts open as quickly as possible. Vista is much more likely than Cascade - since Cascade last opened we've had 115" of snow, 2.3" of rain, and 100mph wind gusts. It's going to be a huge undertaking to open it.
All the snow has also affected our park operations. They were buried so we're basically starting from scratch with rebuilds of The Zoo, Shipyard and Forest Park. The good news is we now have enough snow for constructing Rose City and Park Place, our more advanced parks which will have larger features and jumps.
1/20/2012 7:21:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 2 comments
A powerful La Nina storm has dropped 90” of snow on Mt. Hood Meadows this week, bringing the resort’s settled base depth up to 87 inches. Mt. Hood Meadows now has one of the deepest snow packs of any ski resort in the country. At the height of the storm the resort received 31 inches of snow in 24 hours.
The storm provided some primo powder the first three days, and then turned wet and wild delivering a mixture of snow, sleet and rain. Over the six days the water equivalent deposited by at Mt. Hood Meadows is almost 13 inches – quite the moisture pump. The temperature remained cold enough for the majority of the moisture to fall as snow and build the snowpack.
Telemetry: NWAC data station at bottom of Mt. Hood Express. Click to enlarge.
Resort officials and guests are delighted by the storm, which has more than doubled the snow pack, upon which the resort will build the rest of the season. Once the storm passes freestyle grooming and parks crews will construct the Rose City and Park Place intermediate and advanced terrain parks, featuring medium and large sized jumps. The resort will also be rebuilding The Zoo, Shipyard and Forest Park – small to medium parks which had been operating but were buried by the storm this past week. Work will also begin on the in ground Super Pipe.
The new snow will also allow for bridges to be built at the bottom of Heather Canyon, the first step towards the eventual opening of advanced gated access to Heather, Clark Canyon and Private Reserve.
1/12/2012 10:31:00 AM
by Parks Crew
in Connection, Media Center, Parks Blog
| 9 comments
The Vista Halfpipe opened today (Thursday). It's 200 feet long and has 18 foot walls. We cut it with the Zaugg. An extraordinary effort was made to farm the snow and then patiently cut the walls - kudos to Freestyle Grooming Manager Jason Stankevich. The Vista pipe is the only halfpipe in the Northwest. It's accessed by the Vista Express high speed quad. It's located higher up on the mountain which has more snow than the 4 feet we have in the base area. It's in a natural gulch which helps collect the snow and shape the walls, and is often the earliest opening halfpipe in the Northwest. Enjoy!
1/12/2012 10:19:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Parks Blog
| 0 comments
The Burton Mountain Festival includes an activity for kids as young as 3 years old - the Riglet Park. This is an area set aside for kids to demo small sized Burton boots strap on a Burton board with a Riglet Reel - a leash that allows for smooth pulling. The area has small snow features for fun sliding, which also helps build balance and technique.
The Riglet Park is scheduled to operate Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9 AM - 3 PM. There is no charge, although parents will need to sign a liability release for their kids. No preregistration is needed, but equipment is limited to 15 sets, so there may be a wait depending on the turn out. Riglet sessions will be about 15 minutes in length (longer if there isn't a wait.) Helmets are strongly suggested. Our instructors will pull the kids through the park - parents provide support (and take pictures!)
If the slideshow below doesn't work CLICK HERE.
1/9/2012 11:24:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Parks Blog, Media Center, Connection
| 19 comments
For the first time ever, Burton is launching the Burton Mountain Festival tour, a completely new experience that offers riders a full day of FREE on-snow activities, including Burton 2012 product demos, music, sponsor giveaways, mini parks for the smallest snowboarders and an amateur snowboard contest. The Burton Mountain Festival will be presented at Mt. Hood Meadows January 14 – 16 over Martin Luther King weekend.
Burton Mountain Festival includes four key elements: Burton Test Ride, Riglet Parks, Pro-Test and an après ski party for an entire day of good times. And while each festival stop is unique, the foundation of the festival is the Burton Test Ride program - where virtually the entire 2012 Burton hardgoods line will be on tap for riders to test at absolutely no charge. Riders can try out a variety of boards, boots and bindings to get a feel for their ultimate set-up.
In addition to Test Ride, the Mt. Hood Meadows stop will have a Pro-Test Rail Jam event, Sunday, January 15 and a Pro-Test Half Pipe competition Monday, January 16. These are amateur snowboard competitions for men and women. Riders can also win wildcard spots to compete in the US Open pre-qualifiers, and all Pro-Test events are 4Star TTR World Snowboard Tour events. For complete Pro-Test dates, details and formats, head to http://www.burton.com/pro-test
For the youngest riders, every Burton Mountain Festival stop will also feature a Burton Riglet Park where kids as young as three can try out snowboarding for FREE. Burton will provide snowboards, boots and bindings sized for the smallest kids to borrow at no charge. Kids will also be able to try out Burton’s revolutionary Riglet Reel, a specially designed reel attached to the nose of youth snowboards that makes learning easier than ever. And certified snowboard instructors will help kids learn to ride on mini features like boxes, ramps and rails.
Finally, all Burton Mountain Festival stops will feature special après events and live music. Stay tuned to www.burton.com/bmf for updates on live music acts and party details as they’re announced.
And thanks to presenting partner MINI and partners Kodak, Mountain Dew, Mitch by Paul Mitchell and Snowboarder Magazine for their support of the all new Burton Mountain Festival.
1/5/2012 1:08:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 1 comment
Fred Noble skied Mt. Hood Wednesday - for what was probably his 2000th time. He's been skiing for more than five decades. He was a featured skier in some early Warren Miller films. He's traveled around the world and escaped death a number of times. Now he's taking on his next big adventure - ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease.
The disease is advancing, and is affecting his legs. Last year Fred skied as a "four tracker" using two "outriggers" - poles with skis on the bottom of them as crutches, along with his skis. This season, Fred will use a bi-ski - a seat mounted on skis that can be maneuvered by leaning.
Fred donated his outriggers to the Meadows adaptive sports program, for other four trackers to use. And Fred took several runs Wednesday.
Fred is the honorary chairman of the "Ski to Defeat ALS" coming up April 14. It's a vertical challenge event at Meadows - you can register online, get some pledges, take some runs and meet Fred. And raise money for the Oregon and SW Washington Chapter of ALS. For more information on the event, to make a pledge or to organize a team, visit the Ski to Defeat ALS website.
Fred was also featured at the Make A Hero movie premier of "The Movement" which appeared in Portland in November. Meadows is supporting the Make A Hero foundation with a special lift ticket offer. You can purchase the discount lift ticket from Make a Hero - and they receive the proceeds, which are designated to be donated back to Oregon adaptive sports organizations, and the local ALS chapter. You can purchase the lift ticket from MakeAHero.org.
Check out the coverage on KATU of Fred's day on the slopes.
1/1/2012 6:35:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 1 comment
January has been proclaimed Learn A Snow Sport Month and Mt. Hood Meadows is offering many affordable packages for new adventurers trying skiing or snowboarding for the first time. The offer is part of Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, a national effort organized by the snow sports industry to get family and friends outside in the winter.
Meadows has the largest ski school in Oregon, with certified professionals and a vast amount of experience in introducing New Adventurers to skiing and snowboarding. The resort’s “Buttercup” beginner chairlift services the gradual terrain where first time lessons are conducted. Meadows also has Mt. Hood’s only enclosed over the conveyer called “The Ballroom Carpet” which gives new adventurers a fun uphill experience. Most ski areas rely on the traditional “rope tow” which tend to wear out beginners being pulled up the hill.
Governor Kitzhaber has declared January as Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in Oregon, proclaiming, “This initiative encourages children and adults to take lessons from professional instructors during the month of January. Skiing and snowboarding are both lifestyle and life-long sports and are great wintertime activities for exercise, entertainment and satisfaction. Anyone can discover the dynamic world of skiing and snowboarding by getting out of the house, escaping from the city, and being energized by spectacular alpine scenery and mountain fresh air.”
"Snow sports are fun and easier to learn than many people think," said Dave Tragethon, Meadows Executive Director of Communications. "You can burn a lot of calories, meet some terrific people and have an experience that can be shared among friends and family.”
3 Time Passport - $139 (age 13 and older)
Includes three days – lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals each day. First two days include Buttercup beginner lift ticket, third day is an all mountain lift. Any three days, no reservations required.
3 Time Night Passport - $79 (age 13 and older)
Includes three evenings – 3 – 9 PM lift tickets, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals each day. First two evenings include Buttercup beginner lift ticket, third evening is an all night operating lift. Any three nights (Wednesday – Sunday evenings), no reservations required.
One Day Beginner Package - $70 at the ski resort (age 13 and older)
Includes a Buttercup beginner lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals.
A second two hour lesson can be added for just $20 more.
Night Beginner Package - $35 (age 13 and older, offered Wednesday – Sunday Evenings)
Includes a Buttercup 3 – 9 PM beginner lift ticket, 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals.
Twilight Kids Club is offered Saturdays and Sundays. Parents receive 1 free adult 3pm – close lift ticket for each child enrolled in Twilight Club. Kids are supervised from 3 PM – 7 PM with a two hour on snow lesson offered in between. Dinner is included for the kids. Equipment rentals are just $10 for kids in the Club.
Mt. Hood Meadows offers kids lessons every day - presented in 2 hour (half day) or 4 hour (full day) formats. Kids are grouped together by age and ability and coached by our best PSIA Certified Instructors.
LEARN A SNOW SPORT MONTH
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is an industry initiative organized by Mt. Hood Meadows, the National Ski Areas Association, the Professional Ski Instructors of America-American/Association of Snowboard Instructors, the National Ski Patrol, SnowSports Industries America, numerous state and regional resort associations, industry partners and the snow sports media.
Children and adults are encouraged to learn from a professional instructor. General information about getting ready for a snow sports experience is available at
www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org.
12/30/2011 7:30:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Weather Blog, Media Center
| 1 comment
We all have been waiting (patiently) for this storm to chill out and bring us some long awaited snow. Well it arrived with a vengeance this morning - as the rain turned to snow around 3 AM. Since then we've accumulated a foot of new snow at the top of Shooting Star (6600 foot level) with 4" in the base area (5500 foot level.) With the slurpy slope conditions last evening, we couldn't put groomers on the mountain until after the snow piled up - particularly on the lower mountain trails serviced by Hood River Express. And the storm is expected to pick up through the morning hours, so don't expect a lot of grooming today.
Additionally, the freezing level dropped quickly which is great for changing rain to snow, but that also left a coating of ice on every lift. Lift maintenance was called out early to start the deicing process. During that process we use our transport cats to take patrol up for AC work and trail marking. We expect to have lifts operating at 9 AM - focusing on Mt. Hood Express and over to Shooting Star. We'll get as many lifts operating as soon as we possible.
ODOT plowed our lots, but since this storm is forecast to drop a foot or more throughout the day be prepared to drive through deep snow as you leave. Experienced mountain enthusiasts will have a shovel in their vehicle and this is the kind of day that it comes in handy.
We've been waiting for it - and we are prepared. A lot needs to get done to ready the mountain after and during a substantial storm such as the one we're experiencing. But every crew member is smiling - and happy to make this extraordinary effort to prepare the mountain for some great skiing and riding.
See you on the mountain!
12/28/2011 10:53:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Weather Blog, Media Center
| 2 comments
Well, the forecast pretty much is delivering as expected – lots of rain driven by high winds. Our forecasters indicate that the rain will continue and the winds should increase this afternoon and evening.
We're going to suspend lift operations today (Wednesday) at 1 PM – there will be no Meadows After Dark this evening.
Looking ahead to Thursday, Mt. Hood Express, Butter Cup, Easy Rider and the Ballroom Carpet are scheduled from 9 AM – 9 PM, with Shooting Star possible from 9 AM – 4 PM. Check our conditions page or call our snow phone (503.227.SNOW) for updates.
Not operating Thursday are the HRM lodge, HRE, the parking lot and the Nordic Center. Park&Ride has been suspended for Thursday, but is scheduled to run Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
We will continue to offer ski and snowboard lessons, food service, rentals, retail and day care, providing the best experience possible even with limited operations.
We will assess weather and snow conditions again at 10 AM Thursday. Hang in there - the forecast is indicating a change to snow Thursday and into Friday. We should have some fresh snow to enjoy by the weekend.
Here's what Temira's Mt. Hood forecast looks like:
"On Friday, the snow level goes from 5500’ at 4am, to 3500’ at 7am and keeps falling to 1000’ by 7pm. So, Thursday’s heavy rain switches to snow early Friday morning, and then we get 1.5-2” of water value for 10-16” of new snow during the day, depending on when it switches over.
We’ll probably see another 4-6” of new snow Friday night, leading into a bluebird day on Saturday."
See you on the mountain Friday and Saturday - enjoy our New Year's Eve celebration!
12/27/2011 11:39:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Weather Blog, Media Center
| 0 comments
We asked for a change in the weather - and we are getting it! La Nina can be nasty, and she is delivering a powerful wallop here Wednesday. Warming temps, rising freezing levels, several inches of moisture and high winds will make for a less than ideal Wednesday.
In anticipation of this weather, we expect our lift operations to be limited to Mt. Hood Express, Easy Rider, Buttercup and the Ballroom Carpet on Wednesday. With this forecast even those lifts could be affected by the wind. We're still scheduled to operate at 9 AM, but we don't know how long we will be able to maintain operations with the extreme weather forecast. That means we may not have night operations Wednesday. You should check our conditions page or call our snow phone (503.227.SNOW) for the latest information before heading to the mountain.
Hood River Meadows lodge and the Hood River Express will not operate Wednesday. The parking lot will be open for our cross country skiing guests as the Nordic Center is scheduled to operate.
We'll do our best to make the most of what the weather offers. We'll still have ski and snowboard lessons, food services and rental operations. Select hardgoods and softgoods are marked down 10% (20% off for pass holders) at Outer Limits Sports and the HPC. Day care will still operate.
Park&Ride from Portland has been canceled Wednesday.
Thursday's forecast improves a little, but still has some extreme elements to it. Fortunately the forecast is looking a lot better (perhaps even some fresh snow) Friday and into the weekend. Hopefully we'll end 2011 with some great conditions and start off the New Year right!
12/26/2011 12:50:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 0 comments
That blocking high ridge of pressure positioned over the northwest for most of December gave way today - allowing a wintry blast to bring snow to Mt. Hood Meadows. Six inches of snow had accumulated into the evening - and as the video shows our guests were loving it!
This is going to be a wild week of weather with major precipitation heading our way. Watch the freezing levels, which will be yoyoing up and down. Pick your days wisely and you may be rewarded with waist deep powder. Happy holidays everyone - and thanks for all the prayers and snow dances. We're looking forward to a great season!
12/22/2011 9:12:00 AM
by Cliff Mass Weather Blog
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 2 comments
From Cliff Mass Weather Blog:
A number of you have commented or emailed the same questions and comments that run like this:
" I thought it was a La Nina year--aren't they supposed to be wetter than normal"
"The National Weather Service said this fall would be wetter than normal--boy did they mess up!)
December is turning out to be one of the driest on record--in fact, there is a chance it could be the driest December since record-keeping began at a number of western Washington sites.
Take a look at the precipitation at Sea-Tac for the past 4 weeks (blue is normal, red this year):
Amazing...precipitation has almost been flat-lined since December 1--we are about 4 inches below normal, with only about .5 inches this month.
In general, La Nina years are wetter during the entire fall-winter season....but that is only on average. You can think of weighting a coin---instead of heads and tails being equally probable, heads is more likely. Throw the coin ten times and it could be heads eight times--BUT you STILL will get two tails.
This year it is more LIKELY to be wetter than normal, but some La Nina years HAVE been drier than normal.
Here is a plot that summarizes the situation for Washington State. The dots representation individual years, which can be El Nino (red), neutral (green) or La Nina (blue) years. The y axis gives the precipitation amounts for October through March. Yes, the blue (La Nina) years typically have more precipitation than the other years. But there is a considerable range for the La Nina, El Nino, and neutral years, with a number of La Nina years being relatively dry. This year may well be one of them--although it is too early to know what the final winter's total will be.
You can think of NWS forecasters as casino operators---over a period of time the house will win, but occasionally someone can walk away with a jackpot.
But there is something else... a characteristic of La Nina years is the persistence of a major ridge in the eastern Pacific (see NWS graphic below). Normally, that ridge is far enough west that we are in the
downstream trough...giving us cool, wet weather. This year, the trough has been farther east than normal...giving us drier than normal conditions. And we have seen the ridging day after day. For some reason the ridge is shifted--and so we have been generally dry and cool.
The current model runs show a return to more normal, wetter conditions soon.
12/16/2011 7:00:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 3 comments
MT. HOOD, OR (Immediate Release) –
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is ready to celebrate
the holiday season with events, ski school clinics and camps. Lifts are
scheduled to operate daily beginning at 9 AM, including Christmas and New
Year’s Days and there will be extended night operations during Christmas week.
It culminates with a New Year’s Eve spectacular, exquisite dinner, fireworks
and a party with “The Essentials” the top rated dance party band on the west
coast!
Here's a video from last season to put you in the holiday mood!
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is scheduled to operate daily with lifts
opening at 9 AM each day during the holiday season, and through the end of
April.
MEADOWS
AFTER DARK
evening operations are normally offered Wednesday through Sunday evenings until
9 PM. From December 21 - January 1 Meadows will operate lifts until 9 PM, except New Year’s Eve lifts operate until
after midnight, not closing until 12:15 AM.
TWILIGHT
KIDS CLUB is
offered Saturday and Sunday evenings beginning December 17. During the holiday
the club will be offered each evening from December 21 through January 1, with
the exception of Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24.) This provides 4 to 12
year olds supervision from 3 – 7 PM, with a 2 hour lesson in between plus dinner
and a lift ticket. The price is just $75 for ages 7 – 12, $80 for ages 4 - 6 –
and Mom or Dad gets a 3 – 9 PM Meadows After Dark ticket for free!
PARK
& RIDE SHUTTLE FROM PORTLAND RUNS DAILY December 17 – January 1, except Christmas Day (12/25). The
shuttle picks up at three convenient metro-area locations. Bus seats must be
purchased in advance through the resort’s web site SkiHood.com.
NEW
GOVERNMENT CAMP SHUTTLE RUNS DAILY December 17 – January 1
Destination
guests staying in Government Camp can hop the shuttle to Meadows for just $12
round trip, leaving Government Camp at 7:30 AM and department from the mountain
at 2:30 PM.
NORDIC
CENTER OPEN DAILY
9 AM – 4 PM from December 15 – January 1.
MT.
HOOD MEADOWS HOLIDAY EVENTS CALENDAR
Dec. 17: Meadows
After Dark Rail Jam Series
3 – 8 PM in
Shipyard – Free registration with divisions for lower and upper level skiers
and snowboarders. Helmet required (and parental release if under 18.) Awesome
prizes from sponsors Nike, Never Summer, Icelantic and Trew.
Dec. 17: Steeps
Clinic
For advanced and
expert skiers and riders to improve your ability to ski steep ungroomed terrain
taught by our most certified and strongest pros.
Dec.
17: Les Vaughn Performs Live @ Après Ski in Vertical 3-6 PM
Les brings country standards, oldies, and rock and roll to the forefront and
performs them in a way that is in fact, "original" and in his own
style.
Dec. 18: NW
Ski & Snowboard Demo Tour
Free demo to test and ride the latest ski and snowboard technology. ID / Credit
card required – come early, these demos go fast!
Dec. 18: Women’s
Clinic
For women and taught by our most certified and experience female instructors in
a fun and supportive environment. Available for intermediate and above skiers
and riders.
Dec. 19-21: 3
Day Holiday Kids Camp
Designed for youth
from ages 6 - 12, we team up the kids with others their same age and ability
with four hours of on the snow instruction from a certified pro each day.
Supervision is provided all day and lunch is included. Make reservations @
503.337.2222 x1419.
Dec. 19-21: 3
Day Freestyle Camp
For those wanting
to learn freestyle technique of intermediate or more advanced ability. Make
reservations @ 503.337.2222 x1419.
Dec. 19-21: Adult
3 Day Holiday Camp
Join our Ski & Snowboard School
for 3 straight days of coaching from the same instructor with the same group
each day. Groups will be divided based on Skiing / Riding ability and desired
speed. Topics include Steeps and Cruising the groomed.
Dec. 19-21:1st
Time Adult 3 Day Holiday Camp
Make this the year you become a
skier or snowboarder with our 3 day Adult Holiday Camp for first timers. This
package includes 3 days of lift (buttercup only the first two days), Lesson
& Rental. Lessons will be 4 hours each day from 10am - 12pm & 1pm -
3pm. Make great progress skiing or riding with the same instructor in the same
group for 3 straight days.
Dec. 23: Jack Quinby Holiday Brass Band
Your traditional
favorites performed by this brass ensemble.
Dec. 24-25: Ski
with Santa
Santa’s revving up for his big night so here’s your chance to give him your
last-minute Christmas list.
Dec. 30: Tony Smiley Performs Live at Après Ski
Tony Smiley “looping extraordinaire” will perform from 3-6 PM in Vertical
Dec. 31: New
Year's Eve Celebration presented by Widmer Brothers Brewing
Mt. Hood Meadows
celebrates New Year's Eve with a fireworks display, spectacular buffet dinner
and party featuring “The Essentials” – the top rated dance band on the west
coast! We'll run the lifts until Midnight to allow revelers to ski or ride in
the New Year. A fireworks display will be launched at 10:15 PM. The dinner has three
seatings (5-6; 6:30-7:30 and 8-9) and “The Essentials” will perform from 8 PM -
12:15 AM! A live DJ will entertain between band sets leading up to a balloon
drop and champagne toast at midnight.
Brrring in the New Year at Mt. Hood Meadows - presented by Widmer Brothers
Brewing and Brrr Seasonal Ale. Adult party buses scheduled from the Monarch
Hotel in Clackamas.
Purchase tickets, dinners, party and bus seats online in advance at
SkiHood.com.
Jan. 1: College Bowl Games on the Big Screen
TVs at the Vertical Restaurant and Sports Bar.
12/13/2011 6:36:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 0 comments
Our Decembers 16th deadline for receiving a $50 discount on January multi-week program lesson is fast approaching. Weekend programs are unique products which offer the opportunity to come to the mountain 4 consecutive Saturdays or Sundays in January or February. For those taking lessons you will have the same instructor and the same group for 4 consecutive weeks which allows participants to build on the improvements they have made in the previous week each time out.
Multi-Week programs are discounted significantly from our daily products and offer optional bussing for participants. We offer programs for a wide range of ages and abilities Sno-Blasters(Elementary School), Trailblazer(Middle School) & Adult/High School Programs. Below is some additional information on our Sno-Blaster & Trailblazer programs but you can head over to the Weekly Group Coaching section of our website for more information on all our programs: http://www.skihood.com/Lessons/Weekly-Group-Coaching-Sessions-Bussing.
Our Sno-Blaster Program for Elementary School age kids is an all-day supervised program with exclusive space in our lodge. Kids ski with their instructor from 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3pm each day and are supervised indoors before and after the lesson and at lunch. Groups are divided based on participant ability level and we have classes ranging in ability level for those skiing/riding our most difficult terrain to kids who are trying skiing or snowboarding for the first time.
This season we remodeled our Sno-Blaster room bringing in brand new tables that take our seating capacity from 180 to 280, plumbed in water, installed a hot chocolate machine, created more shelving for participants to store their gear and our new Stadium Express Chair is just a few feet from our Sno-Blaster Corral giving participants easy access to whole mountain.
Sno-Blasters who sign up for both January and February sessions receive a free season pass.
Get more information here.Trailblazers is our program designed for Middle School Age kids and combines two or four hour lessons with free time for participants to explore on their own. As with other programs Trailblazer are in the same group with the same instructor for 4 consecutive weeks allowing for each week to build on the previous week.
Our lesson offering for Trailblazers include New Adventure(First Time), Cruising the Groom(Green - Beginner), Exploring the Mountain(Blue - Intermediate), All Mountain Freeride (Black – Advanced/Expert) and Freestyle (Black- Advanced/Expert). Check our more information on our Trailblazer Program here.
12/2/2011 6:55:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 0 comments
The Nordic Center at Mt. Hood Meadows opens for the season today. There will be 3 KM of groomed and set track for classic and skating style cross country skiing. More trails will be added as the Nordic Center receives more snow.
The first race in the Mt. Hood Nordic Series – a 5K skate will be held Saturday. Registration begins at 9 AM – just $10 to enter – and the event starts at 11 AM.
The Nordic Center is located adjacent to the resort’s Hood River Meadows (HRM) parking lot. It is a full service Nordic Center, offering equipment rentals, clinics and lessons. The center will be open 9 AM – 4 PM Friday – Sunday, and is scheduled to operate next week Thursday – Sunday, and then daily from December 15 – January 2 for the Christmas holiday, depending on snow conditions.
For a complete operational schedule, track fees and pricing, visit our
Nordic Center page.
11/24/2011 2:31:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 1 comment
"Meadows After Dark" Mt. Hood’s premier night riding and skiing experience kicks off for the season Friday. Meadows offers 140 acres of illuminated runs for night riding.
The lift operations schedule for the holiday weekend will be 9 AM – 9 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday. After the weekend the resort plans to operate on its regular season schedule 9 AM – 4 PM Mondays and Tuesdays; 9 AM – 9 PM Wednesdays through Sundays, weather and conditions permitting.
Meadows will also operate restaurants, the ski and snowboard equipment rental center and its retail shops.
Adult group lessons start at 4 PM and 6:30 PM. Private lessons are also available including the Late Bird 2 hour special for $135 (normally the cost is $165). More information on evening lessons can be found on the After Dark Ski School page.
Nighttime riding is fun and offers a chance to explore and discover Meadows in a whole new light. Meadows After Dark also offers terrific affordable lift tickets and learn to ski and snowboard packages, as well as discounts for families.
Meadows After Dark Deals
- Evening Lift Ticket from 3 – 9 PM is just $30
- 5 Time Night Pass - $89 (individual picture pass good for five evenings)
- Night Season Pass - $129 valid 3 – 9 PM
Ski & Snowboard School Packages
- Learn to Ski or Board Package - $35 (ages 13 and older) - Packages a Buttercup lift ticket with a 2 hour lesson and equipment rentals for new adventurers trying the sport for the first time.
- Meadows After Dark 3 Time Learn to Ski or Snowboard Passport (age 13 and older) - $79 - Packages your first three evenings (3–9 PM) of lift tickets, lessons and equipment rentals all for one low price! First two days include Buttercup beginner lift ticket, last day is all night operating lift access.
For more information visit our
Meadows After Dark page.
Enjoy the video from last season's After Dark experience at Meadows!
11/20/2011 10:50:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 4 comments
Phenomenal! Epic! Awesome! Best ever! Those were the accolades coming from skiers and snowboarders taking the opening day plunge at Mt. Hood Meadows. An extraordinary weather system dropped 2 feet of fresh, light Cascadian crystal powder on Meadows Friday. Thanks to the Herculian efforts of our mountain crews, six lifts turned for the 9 AM opening, including three high speed quads. The ceremonial launch of the new Stadium Express high speed quad set the upbeat tone for a remarkable day.
The powder was amazing - check out the opening day video put together by M-Com's Pierce Hodges.
Join the conversation - see what our guests are talking about on Facebook. You can also see other opening day photos in our photo and video gallery, where you can post your pix from opening day at Mt. Hood Meadows!
11/18/2011 4:48:00 PM
by Dave Tragethon
in Media Center
| 12 comments
An early blast of winter dropped 23 inches of snow in 24 hours at Mt. Hood Meadows, prompting the resort to add more lifts and terrain to opening day. The resort has six lifts scheduled – Mt. Hood Express, Shooting Star Express, Daisy, Easy Rider, Buttercup and the Ballroom Carpet – from 9 AM – 4 PM. Resort officials are hopeful that the new Stadium Express will also run Saturday, and a launching ceremony is set for 8:30 AM.
Meadows has a current snow depth of 39 inches and snow continued to fall throughout the day. Resort officials advise staying on groomed runs, expect early season conditions and be aware of unmarked obstacles. Any changes or updates to the scheduled operations or conditions will be announced on
conditions page.
Passholder services will be open by 8 AM to take pictures and issue season passes. Lift tickets will be $64 for adults, $59 for ages 65-69, $39 for juniors age 7-14 and seniors 70+. Kids 6 and under are $10.
Meadows retail outlets (Outer Limits Sports and the High Performance Center) and its equipment rental center will be open. The Schuss, Alpenstube, Fresh Tracks Deli, Vertical and Higher Grounds Coffee restaurants are also scheduled to operate. Group and private lessons for adults and kids will be offered at our Ski and Snowboard School, and Daycare will also be operating.
This marks the third consecutive season Meadows opened before Thanksgiving, with openings on November 20 last season and November 11 two seasons ago.
11/17/2011 11:54:00 AM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center, Weather Blog
| 16 comments
Mt. Hood Meadows plans to open for the 2011-12 season this Saturday with limited operations. Currently, two lifts – Buttercup and Easy Rider – are scheduled from 9 AM – 4 PM, but more lifts may be added as additional snow is forecast Thursday into Friday. The resort will announce scheduled lift operations and lift ticket pricing for Saturday by Friday afternoon.
Scheduled operations will be announced and updated on our conditions page.
Meadows has a current snow depth of 19" - more higher up on the mountain. Early season conditions exist, with good to thin coverage on the groomed runs, with exposed grass, rocks – skiers and snowboarders should be aware of unmarked obstacles. Resort officials caution that Saturday’s opening is dependent on receiving more snow. The forecast is calling for a foot or more by Saturday, which will affect both conditions and the scheduled lift operations.
With enough snow the resort could open high speed quads, including Mt. Hood Express, Shooting Star Express and the new Stadium Express Saturday or Sunday.
Uphill hiking not allowed within the ski resort boundary. The resort has machines and people on the slopes moving snow, placing boundaries, and starting early season preparations. Those seeking backcountry skiing, are directed to use designated uphill routes outside the ski area and should not descend within the ski area boundary.
11/14/2011 12:04:00 PM
by Meadows Team
in Connection, Media Center
| 9 comments
It's on everyone's minds - we all are anxious about getting the season underway. We've received our initial early season "teases" of snow dustings, as early as October. Each one builds the anticipation and excitement about the opening of a whole new season - Meadows reborn! And while we're optimistic about a November, possibly even pre-Thanksgiving opening, we need to see what nature blesses us with. Our entire season will be built on this base of snow, so hopefully it will be abundant, substantial, something we can pack down and build a great season out of. But for now, like you, we are in waiting mode, as far as opening goes.
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