Meadows Blog
August 31, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Connection
| 8 comments
Hi Folks!
Hope your summer has been nothing less than awesome!
Fall is just around the corner and the anticipation of great days and nights of recreating on and exploring this magnificent mountain is growing. The excitement of reflecting back on the great times diving into familiar or unknown terrain, meeting new friends and sharing those great experiences with those close to us is also building. Each fall and winter season is a chance to renew and recreate ourselves returning to riding this mountain that we love. Bring on the snow and the new season - here's your invitation to Recreate Yourself at Mt. Hood Meadows!
We've been busy doing just that over the past several months! Meadows has recreated its logo - we haven't changed the shield - it still represents the sun, sky, mountain, tree and snow elements as it has for the past 41 seasons - but the font is bolder and more contemporary. We also have a new trail map illustrated by James Niehues - the industry's foremost mountain resort illustrator.
In keeping with our recreation theme, we are stoked to introduce our re-engineered web site - skihood.com. It has been “recreated” from the ground up, just like building a great snowpack for a fabulous season. Check out the new look, streamlined efficiency, easy navigation and the killer content. Be sure to let us know what you think by using the new direct feedback to management option.
The site features a comprehensive events calendar keeping track of winter recreational happenings that go beyond our own slopes, so you can keep in touch with what's going on in your own neighborhood. It also features an innovative media gallery, combining pictures and videos in one viewer, and allowing you to easily upload your own videos and pictures of Mt. Hood Meadows.
The re-engineered front page responds to your input regarding updated mountain conditions and lift status so you can stay current with our unique maritime weather. In fact, this season our weather conditions will be delivered automatically near real time and the lift status changes will be date stamped. You'll know as soon as a lift is opened, or if conditions have caused it to be placed on weather standby. You'll be able to follow this information on our web site, on your PDA and even on Twitter as we send out tweets with changing lift status. You can subscribe to our weekly eNews or daily snowpack reports to keep informed, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
The site's open invitation for you to give us feedback and comment on our operations is vital. There's a connect button at the top, a contact button on the side, and contact information in the footer of each page. These will allow you to reach us through email delivered directly to me and our exec team regarding the topic of your concern, observation or suggestion.
- There's a survey invitation so we can continually evaluate and improve our overall operations and guest service initiatives.
- Our blog page will feature frequent updates regarding our operations. A special Parks Blog will talk about what we have going on in Paradise Parks, and there'll be an FAQ Blog which we'll use as an online resource for helping others with their Meadows experience, either online or at the resort.
- You can share your experiences by submitting your story to our moderated Guest Stories page.
- You can “Tweet” at us with your comments and observations.
- We have a Facebook page so you can comment or write on our wall, and share it with others.
- And if you're old fashioned, we have department phone numbers listed so you can pick up a phone and give us a call (communicate directly with MHM executive management - what a concept!)
And while these electronic forms of social connecting are great, the best communication is always face-to-face. I, along with our dedicated management team, will be at Mt. Hood Meadows and Cooper Spur Mountain Resort throughout the season collecting your input and working with it to continue planning more improvements for your recreating experience at Mt. Hood Meadows.
There will never be a virtual replacement for the pure rush, freedom and excitement alpine recreation delivers. So I'm closing up the lap top, putting down my PDA and heading out for bike ride to get ready for another fantastic season. I invite you to do the same as you get ready to Recreate Yourself at Mt. Hood Meadows this season!
Onward!
Matthew Drake, CEO
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort
August 31, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Trails Blog
| 3 comments
They were the first runs we ventured on when we were first figuring our how to negotiate down a snow covered hill. Filled with excitement, wonder and awe; heightened by the pure thrill of it all, these green trails hold a special place in our minds and our hearts. We would not have advanced to the blue and black signed runs had it not been for friendly green.
Share your story. What's your favorite beginner run at Meadows - and why?
August 30, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Trails Blog
| 3 comments
Fresh off of our first days on the mountain, still filled with the adventurous zeal which attracted us to this sport to begin with, we encounter Blue. Intermediate terrain can be a faithful friend, building our confidence and guiding us to new places. Blue can also humble, throwing a sharp pitch or unexpected curve in our way, reminding us that the mountain still rules. It's this unpredictable nature and surprises that hooked us.
Cruising, reliable, sometimes impulsive Blue. What's your favorite Blue run at Meadows - and why?
August 30, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Trails Blog
| 11 comments
Black Diamond - perhaps the most seductive of all the trails a mountain has to offer. From the time we take our very first run we hear about those Black Diamond runs where only experts dare to take on the challenge of the steep and the deep. As your skill grows so does your curiosity, until finally you take the plunge and take your first expert run! The thrill, the chill and the spill - all you proudly share with friends time and again.
Have you mastered your favorite Black Diamond run at Meadows yet? Tell us about it!
August 30, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Trails Blog
| 11 comments
Double Black Diamond. It sends a shiver right down your spine. But is that shiver fear or excitement? At Mt. Hood Meadows these trails offer sheer exhilaration and are accessed only through gates because of the extreme conditions. Sustained near vertical pitches breaking over cliff outcroppings too steep to hold snow. Gladed trees holding the fresh snow longer and tempting you for just one more run, and another, and another..
If you dare to share - what's your favorite Double Black Diamond run at Meadows?
August 29, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Guest Stories
| 3 comments
This blog is all about celebrating the sport and the mountain we enjoy so much and sharing it with others. It's a chance to declare why skiing and snowboarding are so enlivening and to provide some insight into those passionate people who pursue the slopes in search of .. what?
Tell us about your most memorable day at Mt. Hood Meadows, who you were here with and what made it so special? Share with us that day you conquered the trail you had avoided but wanted to explore for so long. Did you have a chance encounter on the slopes that led to a life-time relationship? Enlighten us! We are all adventurer seekers so satisfy our taste for excitement and curiosity. Pique our interest with your story.
Submit your story and a picture here.
August 28, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in FAQ
| 34 comments
Those who seek out the adventure and thrill of snow sports in the mountains are naturally curious. And boy do they have questions! So here's a place to find out what others are curious about. Perhaps you haven't been to Meadows before and you have some basic questions which need to be answered. Maybe it has to do with something on the mountain, why we do something a certain way, or an observation you had. Could be you're having a technical issue in the online store.
Whatever your question - ask it here. We'll receive your question and get back in touch with you with an answer. And we'll post those that are asked a lot or is good knowledge for others.
Your questions and feedback will help us improve the guest experience at Mt. Hood Meadows. Thanks for asking!
August 28, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Media Center, Connection
| 6 comments
Mt. Hood Meadows has announced pricing for season passes for the 2009/2010 season. Back by popular demand are the 4x4, 3x3 and 2x2 group season pass purchase plans, allowing friends and/or family to group up and receive substantial savings on their passes. New this year is early purchase pricing for individual season passes for those who don't want to group up with others. Kids 6 and under receive a FREE season pass when a parent or grand parent purchases an unlimited season pass for themselves.
The group purchase plan price for adults (age 23 - 64) is $449 each when purchased on-line in with a group of four - the regular season pass price is $900. The 3x3 unlimited pass offer for ages 15 - 22 (purchased on-line in a group of 3) is $339 compared to the regular season pass price of $600. The 2x2 unlimited pass allows two 7 - 14 year olds to purchase passes together for just $229. These group deals must be purchased on-line at skihood.com by October 31.
For those wanting a great deal but not able to join or put together a group, Mt. Hood Meadows is offering individual discounts on unlimited season passes purchased on-line by November 8: $499 for ages 23 - 64; $389 for ages 15 - 22; $279 for ages 7 - 14. Meadows will be at the Portland Ski Fever and Snowboard Expo November 6 - 8 for those looking for the best individual deal. This offer ends November 8, when regular season pass prices begin.
The unlimited Platinum season pass includes season ski check, a season locker and up-front reserved parking space all season long. The pass includes Nordic track privileges at Meadows and Cooper Spur Nordic Center and a Cooper Spur season lift and tube pass.
Mt. Hood Meadows lift ticket pricing is $57 offpeak, and $69 during peak times. The resort sells several multi-time picture products offering direct-to-lift convenience. The 10 Time Pass is $349 (under $35 / day).
August 27, 2009
by Dave Tragethon
in Media Center
| 1 comment
Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort is making upgrades and improvements this summer to enhance the guest experience for the 2009 - 2010 season. Some projects such as the paving of the Sunrise Parking Lot (formerly known as “The Annex”) will be noticeable creating a marked improvement for guest access to and from the resort. Other projects such as the scanning system improvements are subtler and will have a great cumulative impact making the guest experience faster and smoother. All of the improvements will add up to Meadows guests being able to get better information on the resort and enjoy its quality skiing and snowboarding experience.
New SkiHood.com - Mt. Hood Meadows web site is already established as the most popular winter recreational site in Oregon serving more inquiries for snow conditions, mountain operations and ski and snowboard experiences than any other site. The site has a fresh new look and delivers content more efficiently to both PC and PDA platforms. The site also provides a new mixed (video and photo) media gallery, allowing guests to upload and share their experiences on the mountain with others. A new online store makes purchasing Meadows products and services faster and easier, particularly discount deals that bargain hunters will be looking for. Most importantly the site enables guests to subscribe to a variety of news feeds for weekly, daily snow condition or even minute-to-minute lift operational updates; and provide guests a direct line of feedback to Meadows management.
Telemetry / Communications - Meadows is enhancing its telemetry reporting capabilities allowing for real time reporting of weather conditions at its two weather stations (located at the bottom and top of the Mt. Hood Express). The improvements will allow for real time condition reporting through the resort web site (skihood.com) and to other snow / weather reporting services. An essential part of the improvement to the resort's web site this season will be reporting weather and lift operational information real time (minute to minute) as well as allowing guests to monitor through a variety of social networks this information on portable devices. The result will be improved communications with up-to-the-minute snow condition and operational information for guests and staff members to make for a better experience on the mountain.
Passholder Services Center - The old “desk” is being moved to the primary corridor in the South Lodge providing more convenient access for support services for pass holders - picture taking, reissuing, receiving pass holder benefits and information services regarding their pass.
Sunrise Parking Lot Paved - Paving the old “Annex” lot allows for a better parking experience, wetland restoration and improved storm drainage. It should also allow the grooming department to focus more resources on the mountain as in the past Meadows was responsible for plowing this lot. Now that it is paved ODOT will be plowing this lot.
New Snowcat - Meadows continues its commitment to providing the best surface conditions possible with the acquisition of another new Prinoth 350 snow cat with terrain master tillers and blades. Meadows already has the most advanced fleet of trail grooming and terrain park shaping equipment on Mt. Hood.
Scanning System Improvements - Last season Meadows moved to lift access control utilizing bar coded tickets and scanners at each lift. The system has been enhanced this year to achieve a faster, smoother and more efficient flow through to the lifts.
Night Lighting Improvements - The night lighting enhancement program continues this season, switching out older fixtures with more efficient bulbs which provide more uniform coverage with less electricity. The improvements will be especially appreciated on Stadium (where night ski race training is held) and on the trails serving the night lighted Rose City Slopestyle and Superpipe.
Ballroom Carpet - Last season Meadows installed an enclosed conveyer known as a “Wonder Carpet” in its beginner area. The “glass tunnel” is nearly as long as a football field, and mounted on a hydraulic system which allows the carpet to be raised and lowered with the snowpack. The lift was renamed “The Ballroom Carpet” last season and dedicated to long-time instructors Don Ball, Mignon and Ray Whitcher. This season the Ballroom Carpet and the other over the snow conveyer the Magic Carpet will be used to provide innovative, fun and progressive instruction to beginners of all ages learning to “dance” on the snow.
Additional Smart Carte Lockers - Based on the success of the installation of Smart Carte locker system two seasons ago, Meadows will add several more banks of smart lockers which allows repeat in and out convenience throughout the day with a keyless numeric combination.
Race Timing System - Meadows is investing in a new TAG Heuer FIS Certified timing system with wireless capability which will improve timing accuracy and reliability for race events even in the most extreme of weather conditions.
Sport Skis and Snowboards - The Equipment Rental Center is replacing its Sport Line of rentals skis, snowboards and boots offering better performing equipment for intermediate level riders looking to improve their technique.
HPC Direct Access - Pass holders and other guests can register for their demo equipment rental faster and more efficiently thanks to computer stations, which avoids having to hand fill out a form. A simple scan or swipe of the season pass will bring up the account and print out the rental form, expediting the process.
August 27, 2009
by Parks Crew
in Parks Blog
| 21 comments
Welcome to our new Parks Blog. This is where our park groomers and crew will be posting updates and happenings this season in Paradise Parks. When we add a cool feature, get a park ready to open, have some information on an event or want to share some freestyle news we'll post it here.
We've had a busy summer - the big news is the big grind on Park Place. As you know we didn't get Park Place open last season due primarily to the lack of snow depth down at HRM. We now know just how important that Park is - Park Place is the best terrain park on Hood so we need to get it open as early as possible. A big problem was the four foot high stumps that lined the trail, which prevented grooming until we had a substantial base built up. Well this summer we've been grinding those stumps down which will allow us to groom and build features with less snow. So we'll get Park Place open as soon as early snow allows.
Here's the parks plan for the upcoming season. With the first snow we'll set rails on Shipyard - this allows us to get our jib on even if the opening base is thin. The Zoo on Mitchell Creek and Rose City Slopestyle will most likely be the next to open, depending on how much snow we get. Hopefully we'll be able to get both Forest Park, which was an absolute hit last year, and Park Place open shortly after. And we'll construct the SuperPipe when we get more snow - those 18 foot walls require a massive amount of snow as Meadows has one of the only all natural snow SuperPipes in the country! We'll also be adding the Banked Slalom course next to Rose City Slopestyle for OSIA training. With some help from Mother Nature we should have the majority of our parks operating Christmas break. So bring on the snow – we’re ready for it!
As the other parks open the size of Shipyard will be reduced, but this year we're planning on maintaining some rails there through the season. Even two or three good features make for some fun sessions as last year's Charity Jam proved. That gives us a great park product for Meadows After Dark - Rose City Slopestyle, the Superpipe, the Banked Slalom and Shipyard are all lighted for your After Dark Freestyle enjoyment.
The snow will be flying soon and we will be ready for it. We hope you like this new Parks Blog and that you visit it often. If you have questions or suggestions feel free to post a comment - we'll review it and get back to you directly and post the comment if it is appropriate. You can also send an email to the Parks crew directly on our Contact Us page. And we invite you to submit videos and pictures to our new Media Gallery.
It's going to be a great season!
Parks Crew