richa@tekred.UUCP (Rich Amber ) (08/03/84)
I don't know if there is anyone still out there reading this group at this time of year, but it might save someone a trip. Mt.Bachelor has finally closed down summit skiing until we get more snow (appx Thanksgiving). The summit lift will still be open for sightseeing for the remainder of this month (Aug).
fpa@cvl.UUCP (Fred Andresen) (08/05/84)
Where is Mt. Bachelor? How far is it from Corvalis or Portland, Oregon? I take it it has nearly year round skiing. What is the summer stuff like? How high and what vertical drop? Rough cost of lift tickets? I'm looking into a job there (Corvalis) and the skiing factor is a major plus. What are the closest decent areas and how long does it take to get there? Since we're such a slow group now, it's probably alright to just post replies (I hope I get some), but if you really want to mail, fine, too. Thanks in advance, Fred P. Andresen (fpa@cvl)
waltt@mako.UUCP (Walt Tucker) (08/07/84)
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<swoosh,swoosh>
There are a number of ski areas around Oregon, probably about 20
to 25, counting all the little ones. Many of the bigger ones are
very good. Certainly not Colorado skiing, but still pretty respecable.
In my opinion, Bachelor is the best in Oregon, but limited by the lack
of night skiing. U.S. Ski team trains at Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor
during the summer.
I live about 15 miles south of Portland and about 50 miles north of
Corvallis. I usually go up to Mt. Hood if I am just going for the day,
since it is close (1 hr to 1 hr 15 mins or about 55-70 miles, depending
on which ski area you are going to; add 50 miles from Corvallis).
Mt Hood has these major areas:
Timberline -- 5 chairlifts. 3500 vertical feet. Top elevation 8500 ft.
Night Skiing. The Palmer lift is open in the summer and
allows you to ski on the Glacier, providing year around
skiing. The old lodge is a national historic landmark.
Very picturesque. Brand new day lodge. All lifts open
Mid November to Mid May. Snow pack ranges from 100-200
inches.
Ski Bowl/Multipor -- 4 chairs, 1 T-Bar. 1375 vertical feet. Lowest
of the ski areas on Mt. Hood, the top elevation is a
little over 5000 feet. Night Skiing. Shuttle bus
between the two ski areas. Can ski the two areas on one
ticket. 2 day lodges. Since it is the lowest ski area,
it sometimes closes for lack of snow. It is amazing what
a difference about a thousand feet in elevation can make on
the snow quality. Snow pack ranges from 30 to 70 inches.
Mt. Hood Meadows -- 7 chairs (an 8th will open this year). 2775 vertical
feet. Top elevation 7280. Night Skiing. Good, varied
terrain. Lodge. Season is Mid-November to Mid-May. This
is my personal favorite for Mt. Hood, and most of the people
around Portland. Snow pack ranges from 100-200 inches.
Saw it up to 225 inches one year.
In addition, there is a small beginner's area on Mt. Hood that has 1
chair called the "Summit Ski Area" (400 vertical feet, day skiing only).
If you follow the highway past Mt. Hood Meadows, on the back side of
Mt. Hood is an area called Cooper Spur. It has one T-Bar and one rope
tow with 400 vertical feet.
Other ski areas (central Cascades):
Mt. Bachelor -- 10 chairs. 2850 vertical feet (according to my map,
sorry Rich). Top elevation is 8950. Base elevation
6100 feet. Season is late November to Mid-May for all
chairs. Summit lift stays open through the summer.
No night skiing, but excellent snow and terrain.
4 lodges. Lots of lodging about 20 miles away in Bend
(population 17,000). About 2 1/2 hours or 140 miles from
Corvallis. Snow pack about the same as Meadows and
Timberline (100 - 200 inches).
Hoodoo -- 3 chairs. 1035 vertical feet. Top elevation 5700.
Night Skiing. Although not the best, awful convienent
from Corvallis. About 60-70 miles, and about halfway to
Mt. Bachelor. Lodge. Snow pack is slightly better than
Multipor/Ski bowl. Could easily go up after work to ski
the evening.
Mount Baily - Snowcat Skiing. Snowcat takes you to the 8363 foot level
for a run of 3000 vertical feet through fresh powder.
For the more experienced skier. I've never gone, but I've
heard it's great. Cost is about $50/day. Never more than
about 100 people out a day (capacity of snow cats). Located
about 150 miles south of Corvallis near Diamond Lake (next
to Crater Lake). Lots of snow and powder. Minimum group
of 10 to a snowcat.
Willamette Pass -- They just put the first chair in here in '82. I
think another one is going in this year. The chair I know
about has a 1525 foot vertical drop. Top elevation is 6700.
Night skiers get off at a midstation. About 110 miles
from Corvallis, and 70 miles from Eugene. This ski area
is being developed to tap the Eugene market (Eugene is
about 110,000 population).
Other ski areas (Eastern and Southern):
Anthony Lakes -- One chairlift with 900 vertical feet. Top elevation is
8000 feet. Not much for facilities, but everyone says it
is the best powder in the state. Close to Idaho border,
it is about 250-300 miles from Corvallis.
Spout Springs -- Two T-Bars serve 500 vertical feet. Located near Pendelton.
High Wallowas -- 3700 foot vertical (dependent on adequate snow). Top
elevation is about 8000 feet. If snow is lacking, you can
take a gondola ride to the top and ski near the top using a
rope tow. Oregon's only Gondola. Six or more people can
request the Gondola be run any day. Day skiing only. As
you may have guessed, it is really out in the Boonies, 70
miles away from the nearest large (9500 people) city
(LaGrande). The scenery is some of the best in the state,
though. If you don't make the high Wallowas in the winter,
camp there in the summer. It's great. Beautiful Scenery.
Mt. Ashland -- 3 chairlifts, 1 T-Bar. 1150 vertical feet. Top elevation
of 7530. Lodge. The ski club went down here for 3 days
this year and had a good time. 3 days at Mt. Ashland is
pushing it a bit, though. Located next to the California
border, about 7 miles off I-5.
I caught all the big ski areas and gave you an overview of some of the
smaller ones. I neglected to mention some of the other smaller areas
such as Dixie Mountain, Warner Mountain, Tomahawk, etc. They are typically
rope tows T-Bars, with only a few hundred vertical feet. A lot of them
are located at lower elevations and don't get that good of snow.
I also didn't mention the Washington ski areas. There are some really
nice ones, all within a days drive. Crystal mountain comes to mind
(10 lifts, 4000 vertical feet, excellent terrain).
I'll have to make that report at another time, as my fingers are getting
tired.
-- Walt Tucker
Tektronix, Inc.
Wilsonville, ORpaul@hpfclp.UUCP (paul) (08/12/84)
I'm listening and curious. What were the conditions like up till the
area closed? How many lifts/runs were open? What were the crowds like?
Paul "THINK SNOW" Beiser
Hewlett-Packard Ft. Collins, Colorado
...{ihnp4,hplabs}!hpfcla!paul