“This is my 24th season and this is the latest start we’ve had.”– Matthew McFarland, General Manager of Hoodoo Ski Area.
Ski areas in Oregon had one of the worst starts to the season in the state’s history. Frequent rain resulted in a meager snowpack, leading to some ski areas not opening until January.
Hoodoo finally opened on January 10th, but the financial damage was done. Hoodoo’s General Manager, Matthew McFarland, told KPIC 4 that they lost nearly $3 million in business due to their inability to open for the early season. Their season usually starts the day after Thanksgiving, so losing a month and a half of their season due to the weather was a gut punch to the Oregon ski area.
McFarland explained to KPIC 4 that one of the most frustrating parts about this process was not being able to pay their employees.
“The sad thing is the employees being out of work for 6 weeks. We can get by without replacing plows but it’s hard to get by without a paycheck.”
If you’re looking for an incentive to check this ski area out, they’re an Indy Pass partner for one, and they offer $33 lift tickets on Thursday.
Mountain Stats
Trails: 34
Lifts: 6
Vertical Drop: 1,035 feet
Skiable Acreage: 800 Acres
Location: Sisters, Oregon
Image Credits: Hoodoo Ski & Recreation
