Meadows Blog

16 Comments

1. BendRipper

   November 10, 2009

   Awesome guys!! Been hiking at Mt. Bachelor. Its gonna be nice to sit my butt on a chairlift finally. Haven't had the Big Daddies for opening day in years!! Good Stuff!! I'll be the one with the stealy on my helmet to represent!!!

2. RW

   November 10, 2009

   That is a pretty great line up given the amount of snow -- and that it's Nov. 11th! Good work. I completely understand that you can't say for sure. But with that disclaimer in mind, if the snow keeps piling up as planned throughout the rest of the week (say we get at least another 8-10"), do you think that might allow for getting additional lifts open for the weekend? How much, on average, does it take to get Cascade open? I know it depends on the snow, and how it falls, but just wondering what it might take to even more open. I'm greedy.
   
   Meadows: We are motivated to open more as soon as the coverage allows. Can't pin down a number on snow depth on Cascade because of so many variables, particularly wind scouring. But we'll see what happens following this week's storm.

3. Really?

   November 10, 2009

   Yikes-- $52 for early season conditions? Why not make like Timberline and give us a $20 break for having limited access instead of $5?
   
   Meadows: The terrain serviced by Mt. Hood Express and Shooting Star are very much worth it. See Bendripper's comment - after hiking for early season turns a padded seat feels pretty good!

4. Hawksfan12

   November 11, 2009

   I agree with Really? - a $5.00 discount for what in effect is only two lifts running seems very customer-unfriendly. Can we expect a similar discount off peak-day pricing this weekend when ALOT more people will be on the mountain? I don't mind a lesser experience if pricing is appropriately adjusted to reflect the lack of full service.
   
   Meadows: This is a terrific product well worth the price. Come on up and give it a try - we're sure you'll agree!

5. Brian

   November 11, 2009

   Had an awesome time today! I never thought I would ski powder in 2 Bowl for the first run of the season! What an opening, especially after last year's being a month (and change) later, with EZ rider, B-cup, and Daisy :)
   
   I saw a snowcat pushing snow around up at Cascade, any chance we'll see the chairs moving this week? I'm guessing Vista is a few days/weeks out, but there was some tasty windpack just above where we could traverse to going S from the top of MEX...
   
   Meadows: We expect to open more lifts / terrain as we receive more snow. One factor that is rather unique about this last storm is there was very little wind so the coverage was more evenly distributed than our normal more violent wind deposited storms.

6. Grim

   November 11, 2009

   I dunno, but I can think of some very tasty runs off of Shooting Star (SSEX?) and MEX! $52 seems reasonable to me.

7. Steve

   November 12, 2009

   Sounds like the early conditions are off to a good start! With that said, I must agree with other posters that a $5 discount for only what amounts to only 2 of the major lifts operating does not amount to "value for the dollar".
   
   Don't get me wrong, I very much enjoy the terrain at Meadows, but at todays ticket prices I feel that I should be able to get what I paid for. Sorry, but a $5 discount for only 2 major lifts does not cut it.
   
   Meadows: That choice is yours - and isn't it great to have a choice as usually the lifts aren't running this early in the season. Others believe getting early season turns in is worth it.
   FYI: Friday looks like an epic powder day - special weather statement says up to 1 1/2 feet of snow @ 2,000 foot freezing level. POWDER ALERT!
   

8. Night guy

   November 12, 2009

   When will nights start up?
   
   Meadows: We haven't determined that yet.

9. boar2m

   November 12, 2009

   I am a season pass holder and for selfish reason, I like to see short lift-lines and empty slopes, and obviously high lift-tix price will serve me well in that regard. But at the same time, I don't think it's necessary for Meadows to be so smug about their monopoly – “The terrain serviced by Mt. Hood Express and Shooting Star are very much worth it.” Yes, we know Meadows is the only game in this P-town, and yes, we know it’s all about supply and demand. Btw Crystal is open with almost all their lifts -2 couches (6-seater Chinook & FQ), REX, GV, etc. with less snow than Meadows, and they priced theirs at $40. Trust me that terrains served by those lifts will blow the doors off what Medows has! You know I keep waiting for Meadows to improve their operations and I’m hopeful that this year is it …starting with this Friday …like perhaps operate the HRM. Thanks for listening to your custome base.
   
   Meadows: Didn't mean to be smug, just pointing out how awesome the snow conditions are. We'll adding more lifts as we get more snow.

10. Neil

    November 12, 2009

    When does night opening start?
    
    Meadows: Yet to be determined. Usually its mid-December, but this is a whole new season.

11. AR

    November 13, 2009

    Great opening day on Wednesday, snow was light for early season and good time was had by all. It seems like there is enough snow to open more of the mountain, 30 minute lines on Shooting Star were a beating. I hope you can open more this weekend in order to keep the lines reasonable.

12. Skinner

    November 13, 2009

    Any further insight on more lifts opening for this weekend? Specifically, HRM or Cascade?
    
    Meadows: Vista is scheduled for Saturday. So is Hood River Express for uplift only. Keep checking our web site for info on Cascade.

13. Cory

    November 13, 2009

    I'm really looking forward to heading over to HRM and hit up some of those trees over there. The powder in those trees is just amazing and for some reason its NEVER tracked.
    
    I have been checking the website everyday waiting for HRM to open. If you were going to open HRM the next day around what time would that decison be made, or would it be made in the morning? I just want to know the best time to check the site.
    
    Meadows: Hood River Express is scheduled Saturday for uplift only. At this point HRM won't be open for general skiing or snowboarding - please don't enter the area as you'll be crossing a closed boundary and you'll lose your pass. We'll know more Saturday morning about whether we can open a trail for access back to the HRM parking lot.

14. Rob

    November 16, 2009

    Coming up this Wednesday, can't wait!!!! weather better be decent (no high winds) only reason we wont be up.

15. Rob

    November 16, 2009

    Hawksfan12
    You a Winter Hawks fan too?? :)

16. pdxmeier

    November 17, 2009

    Any idea about potential opening of lower Heather (or upper for that matter)? Was up on the 13th and had some tasty upper shin-licking powder runs in the number bowls. Awesome pre-turkey stuff. At this rate, I'll have that season pass paid for by Christmas.
    
    Meadows: We still need a lot of snow to build snow bridges over the creek in lower Heather. Hopefully the storms will keep coming and it will be sooner rather than later. We are motivated to open that incredible terrain as soon as conditions allow.