Hoodoo extends spring season

The late season is a great season.

There's thirteen feet of snow and counting at the local ski area.

"We've had a great season," said Hoodoo General Manager Tasha McFarland, "our numbers are up, and our snow pack is way up."

Last year, a sub-par snow pack caused Hoodoo Ski Area to shut down early, but this year it's an entirely different story.

With snow continuing to pile up at Santiam Pass, Hoodoo is now making plans to add two weekends to this season's schedule.

Just two weeks ago, the snow pack looked to be on a downward spring trend. Then in little more than 48 hours, everything changed. It changed to the tune of 26 inches.

Two days later, on March 10, the snow started again; and, by last Friday, another 41 inches was on the ground -- and that was before this past weekend's snowfall began.

Elated, Hoodoo officials immediately began planning an extension to the season.

Although the final hurrah was originally scheduled for April 7, the local ski area now plans to remain open for the following two weekends, as well -- with the revised final ski day being April 21.

The last weekday skiing will be during the first week of April.

As another bonus, skiers will be able to stay on the slopes until 6 p.m. most days.

The final round of night skiing will be on March 22-23, but Hoodoo will be open every day (including Wednesday) of spring break, which concludes on Easter this year.

The lifts will close at 4 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

Most of Hoodoo's concession operations began the season out of tents in the parking lot, but rentals and some food services are now being conducted out of the partially completed new lodge.

Hoodoo's Spring Fling will take place on Saturday, April 6, and include bikini skiing, ultra cross (skier/snowboarder teams), four man slalom, snow golf, free mechanical bull riding, free burgers for lift ticket holders, and a year-end sale in the ski shop.

Next season will see observance of a 65th Hoodoo Anniversary celebration, including a grand opening of the completed new lodge.

Other improvements for next year will include replacement of the red and green chair lifts with quad lifts, parking lot expansion that will double the size of the upper lot, and the purchase of a "giant" new snow blower.