Thursday, March 12, 2009

Big Snow Coming

Lots of new snow coming this weekend & early next week! I expect upwards of 2 feet of new snow by Sunday evening, with even more snow on Monday & Tuesday. The snow level will waver between 1,500 and 3,500 feet, so the snow could be a little wet & heavy at times. But it will be deep.

Beware the wind, however. It will be a stormy few days... strong winds will affect lift operations at the higher elevations for sure.

Enjoy!

Spring Deals... and an 80th Birthday

Oregon's ski areas are offering some incredible deals this spring... here is a list of my "top 5" spring skiing/boarding deals:

1) HOODOO

Hoodoo wins top honors for the best spring deal: $295 for an UNLIMITED Season Pass -- good for the rest of this season and ALL OF NEXT SEASON. This represents a nearly 50% discount... which is almost unheard of. But here's the catch: brand new Season Pass purchases only have 2 days to get this deal -- this Saturday & Sunday (March 14-15). Current Hoodoo pass-holders can renew for next season at this same price starting Monday (March 16) and continuing through March 31. (The $295 is for adults -- the kids' price is $195.)

Hoodoo will operate daily (except Wednesday March 18) through March 29 (with night skiing on Friday & Saturday nights), and then will re-open for a final weekend April 4-5. http://www.hoodoo.com/

2) MOUNT HOOD MEADOWS

An unlimited season pass for the rest of the season... for just $99. This includes free ski check and a $10 credit good for any purchase at the ski area. The $99 price is for ages 7 & up... passes for kids 6 & under are free (with the purchase of an adult pass). Daily lift tickets remain regularly-priced at $54.

Meadows plans to operate daily through April 26, with a couple weekends in May possible depending on snow conditions and attendance. Night skiing has ended for the season. http://www.skihood.com/

3) MOUNT HOOD SKIBOWL

Skibowl's spring pass is just $80. A good deal, for sure... but the best spring deal will be offered on one day only -- this Saturday, March 14. Skibowl is celebrating their 80th anniversary that day. All lift tickets, for all shifts, are just $18... snack foods will cost just 25 cents... and fireworks are scheduled for 8pm that evening. Several other fun events are planned for the day as well.

Skibowl will maintain their normal, published operating hours through Spring Sreak (with expanded hours likely during Spring Break). After that, the operating schedule is still to-be-determined... with operations likely limited to the weekends. http://www.skibowl.com/

4) TIMBERLINE

Timberline's best spring deal is its $99 unlimited spring season pass -- good every day through May 25. And for an extra $80 ($179 total), you can make it a "Mt. Hood Fusion Pass" -- good for both Timberline and Skibowl.

Timberline will be open daily (weather permitting) throughout the spring and summer. The Palmer chairlift typically opens in time for Spring Break. After Memorial Day, the lower mountain will close for the season and only summer season passes will be valid. http://www.timberlinelodge.com/

5) MOUNT ASHLAND

The "Skiesta Pass" is just $89 ($79 for those under 18)... and it's good for unlimited skiing through the end of the season. And daily lift tickets are now among the cheapest in the state at just $29 (weekdays) and $34 (weekends).

Mount Ashland operates daily (except Tuesdays) through March, and then Fridays-Sundays in April. April 12 is the season finale. http://www.mtashland.com/

OTHER DEALS

- Mount Bachelor is allowing season pass-holders to purchase $29 lift tickets for 5 of their friends every day except Saturday. Kids also ski free at Mt. Bachelor with the purchase of any adult multi-day ticket. http://www.mtbachelor.com/

- Anthony Lakes is offering 1/2-price lift tickets on Thursdays through the rest of the season. http://www.anthonylakes.com/

- Willamette Pass is discounting their "Five Day Super Pass" to just $119. http://www.willamettepass.com/

- Check out the "Ski Free with Shell" deals that continue through mid-April. Two-for-one deals are available at various ski areas on certain days of the week with the purchase of a full tank of gas. Go to http://www.skifreedeals.com/ for more information.