MEADOWS BLOG - All Comments

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

jaker — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:26:32 GMT

No one is answering my comments... One last try. Will shipyard be open on opening day like last year? Also how is the forecast looking, snow coming soon? The ones shown dont say much.

Meadows reply:

jaker: Thanks for hanging in there. We do plan to have an early season rail park and then we'll move the rails to our other parks as they open. The forecast says snow through the weekend - but we don't know how much we'll get out of it. Hopefully we'll get a system that stalls out on us and builds the base. Think snow!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

glacierjay — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:47:01 GMT

You said: "We'd also like to use this opportunity to remind season pass holders whose groups are completed to get their pictures taken in advance, either at the Clackamas Sales Office or at the Ski Area...we'll also be at the Ski Show November 14 - 16"

I'm not happy! Paid for my pass today and now I want to pick it up. You expect me to pay to get into the ski show just to pick up a pass? That or stand in line opening day?

Guys, that's no way to treat your customers! How about setting up the cameras OUTSIDE the ski show so we don't have to pay to get in and mill around with all those annoying retailers just to get the pass? Please? Maybe keep taking photos in Clackamas? Anything, but don't make me stand in a long hot discouraging line the first day the lifts open.

Another suggestion: I had a pass last year. I don't look all that different this year. How about mailing me a pass using last years photo? Sorry to whine, but I really really really don't like standing in line!

Meadows reply:

glacierjay: We have the cameras in our Clackamas Office again this week (see the schedule posted in the reply to Dan).

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

dan — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:08:45 GMT

Dave, I know this has been brought up in previous years as well, but I think it merits another mention: the pass photo process is broken.

Back at the old downtown sales/marketing office, it was easy to sneak out of work for 45 minutes during the day to get a photo taken. To get to the pass office in Clackamas between 11 - 4 on a weekday, on the other hand, is totally impossible. I know that I typically have other plans on the weekend than fighting traffic out to Clackamas, and standing in line at the Meadows office...I suspect many of your other pass holders feel the same way.

Dave, what would it actually cost for Meadows to open an auxiliary office downtown for 6 weeks or so to shoot pass photos? Something like $5,000 or so? Given that every 4 x 4 group is netting the mountain almost $1,800, that seems like it would be a reasonable investment to make to smooth the photo process.

That's assuming you didn't want to borrow some space from someone like the Columbia store or US Outdoor, and set up a pass photo facility there. Those retailers would be tickled pink to have the traffic; you might not even need to pay to use the space.

I'd like to know the reason why Meadows hasn't moved forward with one of these approaches, or simply allowed us to re-use our pass photos from the previous year. Given that we've seen no change on this for three years now, I'm forced to assume that the mountain doesn't think the incredibly lousy purchase experience is important enough to put any thought into changing it. Say it ain't so, Dave: resenting Meadows is no way to start the season.

Meadows reply:

Dan: Thanks for the comments. The reason we take pictures at our Clackamas Sales Office is because of the dedicated bandwidth we have to connect our remote sales and picture stations to the server, which is located at the mountain. We are experimenting this year with some remote picture taking sites via the internet, and wireless cards. Once we are comfortable with the remote technology working, we'll have more options for picture taking locations in the future.

Meanwhile we've moved the cameras back to the Clackamas Office where we'll be taking pictures Wednesday, 11/19 from 11 AM - 7 PM; Friday 11/21 from 11 AM - 4 PM and Saturday 11/22 from 11 AM - 4 PM. We'll announce any additional picture taking for next week after we see what this storm system brings.

Once the ski area opens we will have all six cameras operating there. It is the same set up as at the ski show this past weekend. The average time to get the pass was less than 9 minutes, so we'll be prepared for those that wait to get their pictures at the mountain.

Thanks for the post!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

jaker — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:21:10 GMT

The forecast isn't looking to good for what it is showing now through this week. Is there any prediction of snow next week? Also will you guys have shipyard open like you did last year? That would be great i'm dying to ski right now.

Meadows reply:

Jaker: We're all anxious to get the season started. We will be getting snow through the weekend - we'll see how the base builds. We do have early season plans to build a rail park like Shipyard, then move the rails to our other parks as we get them open.

See you on the mountain!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Boarder93 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:19:43 GMT

hmm. glad to see that a good storm rolled in. Im actually glad that it warmed up this week because it gives a good base to build up on. So it will compact it making it less likely to melt faster. keep up the good work and it looks like another batch of snow storms on the horizon so keep your fingers crossed!! =)

Meadows reply:

Boarder93: The warm weather has taken its toll on he base in the base area - as of this Saturday evening there's only about 5 to 6 inches with bare spots. Fear not - it is still early and more weather is on the way!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Deep Powder — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:46:37 GMT

Now let's hope that we get very little rain over the next couple of days and then another 2' of snow early next week! This may give you a chance to open a week early. As for the web cams, they are all perfect except the top of Vista Express cam which shouldn't be pointed at the rocks that are almost always rocks even in the middle of winter.

Let's get ready for some more snow starting Sunday!

Meadows reply:

Deep: The forecast says there's more than two inches in the next pulse - we'll just have to see what happens later in the week. We're excited about the new Vista Cam, and are getting it dialed in. It will provide great views of the "Vista" when weather allows, and will also provide us with some very good "real time" weather from the upper mountain.

--Meadows Team

re: Progress Report - Improvements Update and a Video Blog

Daniel1 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:37:50 GMT

Dear Meadows,

I read about all the improvements and am thoroughly pleased with all the work the Meadows crew did over the Summer to help prepare for an awesome season. I can't wait to get back for Winter Break, and will probably spend more time at the mountain than with my family. This season is going to be EPIC!!!

With love from Boston,

Daniel

Meadows reply:

Daniel: Great to hear from you! Hopefully we'll have tons of snow for you for winter break. Study hard, travel safe, live the code!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Deep Powder — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:49:42 GMT

It sure is nice to see the snow filled trees again! Hopefully we can actually get 15-20" this week and hold it through the warm up at the end of the week; say your prayers, I know you will.

Meadpws reply:

Deep: It's great to see the white stuff again. We'll take what we can get here early in the week and see what happens later.

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Deep Powder — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:29:40 GMT

I know my last comment wasn't what you wanted to post but you must admit it does take ~30" base to open the mountain up properly. Of course the snow depth isn't the only factor since it also depends on density of the snow pack, wind conditions during snow fall, etc...

I'm sure this won't get posted either but when the snow starts to fly it will be a good year to ride.

Meadows reply:

Deep: Well said - sorry for the delay in the initial post.

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Deep Powder — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:33:35 GMT

Meadows needs 30" to open properly from my past experience of skiing up there! I know that it will be coming soon and will most likely keep a big smile on our faces all year long!!! Note, until there's at least a 50" base the obstacles are very much in play all over the mountain.

Meadows reply:

Deep Powder: It all deepends on the way the snow arrives, how much air vs how much moisture is in it, the amount of compaction we can create and a multitude of other factors. As alwasy we will caution our guests that early season conditions apply and to be aware of obstacles. Having said that, LET IT SNOW!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Boarder93 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:25:36 GMT

already posted but couldnt help but to task this question...

How much snow is needed for meadows to open with good quality skiing and riding? as i recal last year they opened with what 14 inches at the base... but of course im looking for full operations.

Meadows reply:

Boarder93: We did open on a very limited basis last year on Thanksgiving weekend - initially we were going to operate only the Buttercup lift, but added Easy Rider and Daisy. There are many variables which will determine when and how much of the mountain we'll open in the early season. Primarily we want to provide a quality experience on whatever terrain we open. So how the snow arrives - what the moisture content is (a wet heavy early season storm can provide a good base to build on) snow depth and coverage. It is different every season - the only constant is how much everyone wants more of the mountain to open for some early turns!

Ideally we'll get some of those big November storms the weather forecasters are predicting to give us enough coverage provide the quality skiing and riding experience we want to present.

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Deep Powder — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 20:50:56 GMT

Let it snow, let it snow. It should be another good year on the mountain and I am personally hoping for some early Heather Canyon days this year! The first good snow fall could be coming next week but it certainly won't be any where near enough to ride yet; maybe the 21st of November as I previously predicted.

Meadows reply:

Deep Powder: Thanks for the prediction. When we get enough snow for quality riding and skiing, we'll be ready to go!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

mary — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:41:55 GMT

so it may snow this sunday up there yeh We are getting 3 adult, one teen and two kids season passes at the show on November 14 cant wait--- It will be great this year!!!

Meadows reply:

mary: Great to hear from you - we're watching the weather closely as well, particularly after the news that the "analog years" that is, seasons in the past which have had similar weather characteristics leading into the season, had mild weather through October which snapped in November. There's a possibility that the ski are will be open during the Portland Ski Show. That will affect the number of cameras we'll have at the show as we'll be taking pictures at both locations. See you at the show and on the mountain soon!

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

intelisevil — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:59:02 GMT

A little comment for 'rando' . . .

MHM just held their Job Fair this last weekend.

Free sliding and some money in your pocket? If you've really got the free time you're talking about, this could be just what you need!!!

Here's hoping for an early opening.

Meadows reply:

intelisevil: We're hoping for an early opening as well, paticularly after talking to so many great candidates at the job fair! We are very impressed wtih the quality of the individuals applying for positions at Meadows this season and can't wait to get things open! If you missed the job fair you can still contact our human resources department - check out the jobs page.

--Meadows Team

re: Winter Forecast A Good One for Skiers and Snowboarders (with Video Podcast)

Grim — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:45:05 GMT

OK, that blog got me totally stoked to get the season going!

Pray for snow, people!

Opening Day Prediction: Nov. 27 (Happy Thanksgiving!)

Total Snowfall: 490 inches

Meadows reply:

Grim: Thanks for the "ungrim" forecast - 40+ feet of snow would be fantastic!

--Meadows Team