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TODAY'S INFORMATION FOR 3/21/2023

 

Ski season is far from over this season for many of our ski areas!! Many ski areas across Oregon and California have announced extensions to their seasons. Mammoth and the Palisades/Alpine Complex in California are making plans to be open through the 4th of July holiday. Timberline in Oregon on Mt. Hood is also going to be open deep into the summer.

Locally, Mt. Ashland has announced their latest date of operations in at least 15 years.

The great news is that the snow is going to keep coming. Snowpacks are going to continue to build. At many ski areas, summer turns will be possible after the lifts have stopped turning. 2022 - 2023 is going to hit the books as a truly historic season!!

The major resorts that are open seven days a week unless conditions say otherwise will be shown in "dark green" for their name. Those open less than seven days a week will be shown in this color.

Cooper Spur Ski Area on the eastern side of Mt. Hood has closed for the season.

 

Oregon Ski Areas -

 

Mt. Ashland information:

Closed today and tomorrow. Open again on Thursday for regular operations schedule.

It is OFFICIAL! This is the best snow in a season Mt. Ashland has had since the 2011 - 2012 season.

Mt. Ashland addressed a long standing need last summer when they installed a "carpet" lift to serve the novice terrain located behind the main lodge. This is called the First Act Carpet Lift. They also worked to mellow out the slope there to make it even easier for novice skiers and boarders to get started successfully.

Click on the image below for information

 

Mt. Ashland has been providing Local Mountain Fun to the residents of the Rogue Valley since 1964. A very family friendly ski area, Mt. Ashland has a compact layout of just four chairs and one base lodge. It does make it much easier to keep track of everybody. It has something for everybody up there....but the higher end terrain is something that you just have to experience. This is one of the more challenging mountains to ski or ride on in the Northwest. It has been said if you can ski Mt. Ashland, you can ski anywhere. Mt. Ashland typically is open in early December and the season will run into April. 

 

 

 

Mt. Bachelor information:

Summit and Northwest Express open today!

Sunny skies at Mt. Bachelor. They report 108 inches of snow at West Village, with more out on the mountain. They will have 12 of 15 lifts spinning today. All 122 runs are open. They did get grooming done on many runs last night. The groomers will have packed powder surfaces. 

Click on the image below for information

Mt. Bachelor is the 6th largest ski area in North America by acreage within the ski area. It is the major destination resort for the Pacific Northwest. It draws skiers and riders from Northern California to Washington and beyond. Mt. Bachelor is well known for it's forgiving slopes and plentiful snowfalls. Unlike many resorts in Oregon, Mt. Bachelor seems to regularly get the type of cold dry powder more typically seen in the Rocky Mountains. Mt. Bachelor has the most high speed lifts of any resort in the Northwest and that keeps lift lines small. The mountain itself is very spacious and has two main base areas, West Village and the Sunrise Lodge serving the east side of the mountain. Mt.Bachelor also has established a reputation for some of the very best grooming of their runs in the entire ski business. When I worked there in the mid 80s to the early 90s, Mt. Bachelor was frequently voted as THE best grooming at any major ski resort in the country. That legacy lives on. It is also highly praised in skier surveys for it's high speed lifts.  

 

Timberline Resort information:

Summit Pass Ski Area in Government Camp closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays.

All lifts except Magic Mile will run today 9 am to 4 pm. The Magic Mile lift is on wind hold. All runs and terrain are open from open lifts. There is 145 inches of snow at the lodge at Timberline. 

If you did not know, Timberline has purchased the former Summit Ski Area in Govenrment Camp across the highway from Mt. Hood Ski Bowl. The daily conditions and operations for that satellite area do get included in the Timberline daily conditions report you can access by clicking the image below.

Click on the image below for information

Timberline is located on Mt. Hood here in Oregon. It might have the longest ski season in the world with lifts running from the beginning of November through August. In my ski racing days, we trained at Timberline from late May through July. Timberline can and does get snow during all 12 months out of the year. In really snowy years it would be possible to do year round skiing on natural snow. The long ski season is what makes Timberline unique. It is not a big ski area in terms of acreage or lifts. But, if you feel that need to ski on the 4th of July...here is where you can do it with chair lifts running.

 

 

 

 

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area information:

7 chair lifts and the surface lift are scheduled to be running 9 am to 4 pm. They have 124 inches at the lodge, and 205 inches at mid mountain. 

Click on the image below for information

Mt. Hood Meadows is located on Mt. Hood's east side and is Oregon's second largest ski area. It has a total of 12 lifts serving it's terrain. And, that terrain is some of the most challenging you will find anywhere. But, there is plenty of easy going beginner and lower intermediate terrain here too. This is the most popular ski area on Mt. Hood for those coming out of Portland. Because of it's proximity to Portland and the Northern Willamette Valley, weekends and holidays can be very crowded up here. Meadows is blessed with a long season. It typically will begin in mid November and then will run through early May.  

 

Mt. Hood Skibowl information:

OPEN for night skiing 3 pm through 10 pm tonight.

The snow pack is reported at 72 to 92 inches. They will be running 3 chair and 3 surface lifts. 

Click on the image below for information

Mt. Hood Skibowl is the largest night skiing operation in the U.S. I have only skied here at night. In fact, being open during the day is something that only happens on weekends and holidays. Be sure to check out their operations schedule you can find by clicking the trail map image. Skibowl is a low elevation point for a Mt. Hood ski area. As such, rainy/misty nights/days can happen frequently. BUT!! When it dumps snow here...it really dumps! And, this season so far, they have been getting dumped on.

 

Willamette Pass Ski Area information:

Closed today

Just a reminder......Willamette Pass does NOT accept cash! You must have a credit, debit, or gift card, (credit card style with a Visa, or Mastercard...or a Willamette Pass gift card), for ALL purchases including food and beverage.

Click on the image below for information

Willamette Pass is located in the Cascades east of Eugene along Highway 58 right on the crest of the Cascades. Willamette Pass is the closest ski area to Eugene, the Southern Willamette Valley, and Coos and Douglas Counties. They also see a lot of visitors from Northern Klamath County and Deschutes County. In ski season they are open Wednesdays through Sundays and holidays. Willamette Pass has a total of 4 chairs. It is a very diverse ski area in terms of the terrain. It has very gentle beginner terrain, but it also has one of the very toughest lift served runs in the entire country in RTS, which stands for Rough, Tough, Steep. It absolutely is. If you can conquer the top of this thing, you can ski or ride ANYTHING! Willamette Pass is very family friendly and lift tickets are modestly priced. If you have never been here before, make sure to put it on your list to visit soon. During the summer the Eagle Peak Accelerator Chair runs to provide access to miles of hiking and biking trails. They also have a number of activities that occur. Willamette Pass does not accept cash. You must have a credit card, debit card, or a pre paid cash card. 

  

Hoodoo Ski Resort information:

Closed today. 

Click on the image below for information

Founded in 1938, Hoodoo is Central Oregon’s original ski area. Hoodoo sits on the summit of Oregon’s Santiam Pass on Hoodoo Butte, and is Oregon’s most centrally located destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Just 44 miles west of Bend, 85 miles east of Eugene and 130 miles southeast of Portland, Hoodoo Ski Area offers more than 800 acres of terrain, 32 runs, five lifts, night skiing, and one of the largest tubing parks in the West. The ski slopes are on a big, rounded butte, with lots of wide open terrain. So whether you prefer deep and challenging powder or finely groomed runs, Hoodoo has something for you. They operate Wednesdays through Sundays and on holidays if they fall on Mondays or Tuesdays.

 

 

 

Anthony Lakes Ski Area information:

Closed today and tomorrow.

They are offerring access to 30 kilometers of groomed and set cross country trails through their Nordic Center. And, they have one of the biggest trail networks in Oregon. Anthony Lakes could be a bigger destination for cross country skiers than for alpine skiers for that reason.

Click on the image below for information

Anthony Lakes is located in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. Yes, it is a small ski area. Has just one triple chair lift. BUT!! The sheer quality of the snow makes this a ski area you should be visiting if you never have. If you want to see what kind of snow the Rocky Mountains gets routinely, this is the best place to find it on the West Coast. They get that true "cold smoke powder" that is effortless to ski or ride in and on. 

  

Warner Canyon Ski Area information:

Warner is closed today. They will be be open this Saturday and Sunday for their final two days of operation for the season. It is not lack of snow causing this. It is the fact that they are a small volunteer run areas that is running out of available bodies to make operations go. Better enjoy it while you can. 

Click on the image below for information

 

Warner Canyon is a completly unique experience in skiing in Oregon. It is a privately owned ski area that is operated by the citizens of Lakeview and Lake County who become members of the ski club. Every person working there is a volunteer. The ski area is open weekends, federal holidays, and of course Christmas Vacation provided there is enough snow. They have one chair lift which is a triple chair. There are 21 runs of which 11 are advanced/expert level, 5 are intermediate, and 5 are beginner. The average snow pack when they are open is 20 - 36 inches. They do have ski patrol on duty when they are open. Rentals are available in Lakeview at Tall Town Bike and Camp at 19 North E St, which is just a short drive away. They do have food and beverage services, but tailgating in the parking lot and at the lodge is a time honored tradition here. There will be years where Warner does not open at all. I can think of no other ski operation in the US that can tolerate years of not being open. But, Warner does just that. When the snow is deep enough, it is time to play! This ski area is truly kept alive through the love of a small town. 

  

 

 

 

 

California ski areas: 

 

Mt. Shasta Ski Park information:

Hiogh clouds with filtered sunshine today at the Ski Park. There are also some gusty winds higher up. The Coyote Chair is on wind hold at this time. They report 155 inches at the top of Douglas. All lifts, runs, and terrain open today from the lifts that are operating. Never go off open runs alone. Always go with others. 

If you have not heard, they installed a 4th chairlift to the top of Gray Butte. This now gets lift service to the 7500 foot level on the mountain. That is nearly 700 feet higher than the top of Coyote Chair, and over 2000 feet higher than the base area. Not only does this open up significantly more terrain, it also gets to far deeper snow. Something that this south facing ski area can be greatly challenged by. In addition, the Gray Butte lift now opens up area that had previously been hike into terrain. And it is just stellar! Not a place for novices and beginners....but for intermediate ability level skiers and riders this adds more runs to play on. For the advanced and expert skill level skiers and riders....this is going to open up a paradise of off piste/ off trail terrain. When a powder day hits, this is going to be the place to be! 

Click on the image below for information 

The Mt. Shasta Ski Park is a very inviting ski area that families just love. It has ideal terrain for novices and beginners, yet it also balances that out by offering challenging slopes for experts. Mt. Shasta Ski Park is a very compact area so keeping track of everybody is very easy to do. During the regular ski season, they are the only seven day a week ski area between Tahoe and Mt. Bachelor. They have night skiing Thursday through Saturday nights, and then again on holiday nights. There are a total of three chairs and two surface lifts here. The season at Mt. Shasta is typically from early December to mid April. The Ski Park sits in an ideal spot to catch the storms as they roll around Mt. Shasta so that the snow can fall deep in big storms. However, if there is a scarcity of natural snow, they do have snow making which can be used to augment the real stuff.....or create their own base. This ski area is a favorite of skiers and riders from both Northern California and Southern Oregon. It is the closest skiing and snowboarding to the Redding, Chico area, and Susanville in Northern California and many of the visitors here come from those areas. To get to Mt. Shasta Ski Park take I 5 to Mt. Shasta City, then take State Highway 89 and then follow the signs to turn onto the access road. Mt. Shasta Ski Park is unique for the western United States. It is one of the very few ski areas in the western US that does not sit on National Forest land.

 

Palisades Tahoe / Alpine Meadows information:

Very windy conditions on the upper mountains today. Skies have low overcast with snow falling. Some fog is reported as well. 22 lifts will be spinning today. 156 runs are open. 76 were groomed. The groomed runs have new over machine packed surfaces. Palisades has 227 inches up top, with 92 inches at the base of the mountain. Alpine has 164 inches at the base with a lot more up on the mountain. 

For lift and open run information, click image 1. For snow and weather info, click image 2

    

When known as Squaw Valley this was one of America's premier ski resorts. It hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and has been the scene of many top level ski races and snowboard competitions. This season, it will host the Men's World Cup ski tour featuring the best Olympic level male skiers in the world in Giant Slalom and Slalom competition. That will be in the weekend of February 24th to the 26th. Also making news....the Base to Base gondola that connects Palisades Tahoe with Alpine Meadows has been completed. In years with good snowfall, you will have one of the longest ski seasons in California, or anywhere for that matter. Getting turns in with the calendar saying July can happen. This makes this area very popular with skiers and riders from all over California and also from the Reno area. It is also a major destination resort for skiers and riders from all over the world. Even though lift ticket prices in the main winter season are very spendy, you will still encounter crowds here when the snow is good. 

 

GET TO THE HILL SAFELY! GET WINTER DRIVING READY AT:

 

 

Mammoth Mountain information:

Mammoth has heavy snow and very windy conditions today. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect. They have 252 inches at the Main Lodge, and has 305 inches at the Summit. For the total snow fall this season, they report 634 inches. Just WOW! 16 of 25 lifts are running. 137 of 175 runs are open. ALL runs now have deep new snow on them. More of that will continue to happen. 

Click on the image below for informartion

Mammoth is located in the southern Sierras of California. This is the closest major ski area to the Los Angeles and Las Vegas metro areas. As such it can get very crowded in the base areas. Traffic to and from the mountain on weekends can be a nightmare. But, the mountain itself is huge and it can spread people out well. Mammoth is well known for running late into the season for skiing. Many years Mammoth can offer skiing on the 4th of July. Mammoth is also used as a spring time training center for ski racers. The US Ski Team has been coming here for decades to train in April, May, June, and even into July.

 

Heavenly Ski Area information:

Blizzard Conditions occurring

Very heavy snow and very high winds are happening. This is going to really impact operations. A Winter Storm Warning is up through tomorrow. 17 of 27 lifts are operating. 114 runs are shown as open. But, access will be limited due to closed lifts. They report 185 inches at the Gondola base in California.

Click on the image below for information

Heavenly is one of the best ski and snowboarding vacation destinations in the entire world. Sitting right on the border between California and Nevada, you do literally ski and ride from one state into another. With Mott Canyon and Killebrew Canyon you get some of the greatest lift served back country terrain in the United States. This makes it an ideal place for experts. If you tire of getting a workout on Heavenly's terrain you can always take time off in the casinos at the bottom of the mountain in Nevada. A gondola serves that area now so you can get whisked right back to skiing and riding when you are ready. With the combination of the casinos, you get an experience that does not get duplicated anywhere else in the world. Ski or ride all day and then head to the casinos for outstanding dining, gaming, and entertainment. Big name performers are always on stage on the South Shore at the base of Heavenly. This is by far my favorite place to take an unwind ski vacation that mixes in so much more than just being on the mountain.

 

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort information:

Snow is falling at Sugar Bowl today. 8 of 13 lifts, are running today. 96 runs are open with 43 groomed. The groomed runs will have new machine tilled as the run surface. Their snowpack is 135 inches at the base, with 240 inches on top. 

Click on the image below for information

Sugar Bowl is a favorite of mine from my early skiing days. Sugar Bowl is celebrating 80 years of operation this season. It is a popular ski area for those in the Sacramento area, and also the Bay Area of Northern California. Sugar Bowl is in the north end of the Tahoe basin off of I 80. For something very unique, park in the old parking lots off the Donner Park Highway and ride the gondola into the ski area. This used to be the only way to get to the lodge at Sugar Bowl.

  

Canada and Wyoming:  

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia information:

Sunny skies today at Whistler Blackcomb. 26 of 27 lifts are running. 255 of the 274 runs are open. There are some backcountry/terrain areas that are closed. Please stay out of closed areas. They are closed for your safety. The groomed runs have machine tilled surfaces. There is 89 inches of snow on the ground at Whistler Village. There is over 140 inches up top.

Click on the image below for information:

Whistler Blackcomb hosted alpine ski racing events during the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. It is a very large area in terms of acreage and spans two mountains. Blackcomb Mountain, and Whistler Mountain. There is a village at the base of the two mountains that reminds me somewhat of Vail, Colorado. They can accommodate crowds very easily. You find the biggest lift lines in the mornings at the base of the Gondolas and the other lifts coming out of the villages. Once you get people up on the mountains lift lines become very short due to the capacity they have to move people. Whistler also has one of the largest grooming fleets in the world and usually offers more groomed runs than most ski areas have for runs in total. They do a great job of providing an excellent experience. Once you come here for the first time, you WILL want to come back.

  

Jackson Hole, Wyoming information:

POWDER ALERT!!

5 to 7 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours.

A mix of clouds, sun, and snow falling at Jackson Hole today. All 13 lifts were open with 130 of 131 runs open...55 were groomed last night. Those runs are going to have new over packed powder surfaces. They report 92 inches at mid mountain with 121 inches at the top. 

Click on the image below for information

Jackson Hole is located in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. A place of breathtaking beauty, it has been ranked as the number 1 ski resort in the United States for the last five years running. If you have been there, you know why. Excellent lift service to get you more runs. The runs are buffed into superb shape by a fleet of groomers. They see some of the driest powder anywhere and when it dumps here, it really dumps! The ski school is excellent, and the staff everywhere is friendly and welcoming. But when it comes right down to it, Jackson Hole has the BEST in bounds lift served expert and advanced level terrain in the country. Just outstanding! Courbet's Couloir is a legend. If you think you can handle steep, just stand at the top of that thing and work your courage up. But, you better be good! The Tram runs right above you so you are putting on a show. I highly recommend Jackson Hole as a great vacation. I loved going there in the ski racing days. One of my favorite stops. The nearby town of Jackson has plenty to see and do as well. And, Yellowstone National Park is not far away either. Jackson Hole in the summer makes a great vacation to see Yellowstone and then take in what happens in Jackson. They have concerts all summer long with musical choices from classical to hard rock. They also have theater performances as well. The Tram runs for sightseeing and their restaurant at mid mountain is open for dining. The ski runs become hiking and mtn. biking trails. There is a lot do here anytime of the year.

 

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

 

Cooper Spur Ski Area information:

Cooper Spur has closed for the season.

Cooper Spur Ski Area is what it is. A small local ski area located outside of Hood River. But, it is the closest Mt. Hood Ski Area to Hood River, and the communities in the Gorge. As such it can get very busy on weekends. But, this is a ski area that caters to families. It was totally shut down for a few years. New ownership that has incorporated the ski area into a larger destination resort experience has given it both new life, and stability. In fact, upgrading the facilities and a possible expansion are in the future for Cooper Spur. 

Click on the image below for information