Obymakos leave Hoodoo

After 18 years managing Hoodoo Ski Area west of Sisters, Mike and Nancy Obymako have left the resort.

Chuck Shepard, from Coburg, recently purchased the operation for $1.6 million and will run it as a family business.

Nancy is doing independent contract work in human resources administration. Mike, with his experience working on public lands, is looking into the possibility of developing a new company working with campground management.

"It was a wonderful experience and a business challenge,"Mike said about his tenure at Hoodoo. "It wasn't always fun but how many people have an office on a mountain? There is a special group of people in the ski business and I'll miss the people and the relationships.

Over 57 feet of snow fell at Hoodoo this past season.

"You need snow for a ski business but sometimes you get too much,"he said. "Slides and road closures can cut down on people reaching Hoodoo.

Winter, usually a slow time for most folks in Sisters, was hectic for the Obymakos.

"There's ... a lot of work crammed into the 4-5 month ski season,"he said. "Twenty percent of our business occurs between Christmas and New Year's and night skiing starts about the same time. We won't miss that busy period and maybe we'll have a more normal holiday family season."

The Obymakos regret they won't be around during Hoodoo's expansion. Hoo-doo received approval from the Forest Service in 1996 for a master plan to be implemented over the next 12-15 years.

Improvements will include enlarging the current lodge to three times its current size.

"Chuck Shepard wants to keep Hoodoo affordable for families and is sensitive and aware of price issues,"Mike said. "Changes will come but Chuck wants to serve the local Camp Sherman and Sisters community.

Born in New Hampshire, Mike and Nancy have traveled the country looking for utopia. The search has taken them to Florida, Southern California and to a three-year summer stint at Yellowstone National Park working for the TWA concessionaire.

Locally, Nancy worked two summers at the Camp Sherman Store and, with Michael, managed the Black Butte Resort in Camp Sherman for a year and a half.

She recently received SCUBA certification and joins Mike in that sport. They like exploring the local lakes and particularly enjoy Clear Lake. Both enjoy skiing and are outdoor enthusiasts.