MEADOWS BLOG

Meadows' team addresses the issues you're interested in!

It's Final - We're Re-Opening!

Updated May 26, 1:30 p.m.

Hi Folks,

I want to confirm with you that we will open May 27, 28, and 29.

We have a few inches of fresh snow on the ground and the forecast shows that we should get more snow tonight and even tomorrow. We’re grooming in the new right now and it’s looking great. I’m looking out the window and it’s snowing nicely as I write this blog.

The freezing level has dropped and is not supposed to rise above the base area until Monday when it’s also forecast to turn sunny. Oh yeah,, fresh snow and sun on Memorial Day at the Meadows!

We’re scheduled to operate Buttercup, Mt. Hood Express, Vista Express and Cascade Express (weather permitting) each day.

We’ll have live music on the deck both Sunday and Monday. The giant beer garden and barbeque extravaganza will be set up and waiting for you and your friends.

City Park is closed and roped off. The groomers are smashing down the large piles of snow in that area so that they melt out evenly in order to allow the native wildflowers and grasses to emerge evenly this summer. This is something my environmental friends have asked for which we are happy to do. The large snow piles up off Vista and Cascade and the Arena Superpipe will also be flattened down later in June for the same reason.

This weekend, the Vista Park will have 3 large tables, Gulch Park will have 3 large tables and Bully Park will have 5 tables and several rails. Arena Superpipe also.

The Alpenstube and Schuss will be open. The Gear Box is continuing its big sale and has some great deals on end-of-season demo gear. The South Lodge rental shop is open and the SnowSports Learning Center will have beginner packages available - sold out of the rental shop.

Given that this is a 3-day holiday, I would think we could make the 4,000 skier visit challenge this weekend so we can open June 3rd and 4th. It would be a good idea to send an email blast out to your friends or make a few calls tonight to encourage the “lazy ones” to get some more turns in this holiday! What else are they going to do – go to the movies? We really need to see at least 4,000 people show up this 3-day holiday weekend in order to justify June 3rd and 4th. It’s all up to you!

See you tomorrow morning! Post a comment to this blog - we love to hear from you!

- Dave

Posted: May 26 2006, 01:35 PM by Ski2Live | with 15 comment(s)

Comments

noah said:

halfpipe?

Dave's reply: Up on Arena near the top of Cascade. I just fixed the blog to include this. Thanks for the catch. - Dave
# May 26, 2006 3:42 PM

Tracy Trails said:

Dearest Dave,

Oh thank you, thank you! You are never wrong to open rain, shine, sleet or snow! I am so excited for this long weekend! I am a snowboard junky and I just can't get enough!

You are amazing to keep track of all these posted comments and to reply to them. That is pretty awesome...but not as awesome as you being open this weekend! Yeah Hoo!

I am so excited!! It is going to be great and to have Freshie on top! What a treat!

P.S. I posted a comment to last weekend’s closure because I was upset. I did not realize I should have called the snow phone (503) 227-7669 before heading out. I drove up to Meadows in what I considered a fine day with some blue skies and sun. So, when I got to the empty parking lot, I was dumbfounded. I am all better now and looking forward to tomorrow! I also learned a good lesson…call the Snow Phone and check the website before heading out!

Thank you for being open. I will see you tomorrow and Monday too!

Cheers

Dave's reply: Sorry about the inconvenience last weekend. With the price of gas that probably added to the frustration. We want nothing more than to be open the following weekend also. I see that KOIN TV and KGW TV both talked about Meadows being open during their weather segments tonight. Maybe people will see that and make plans for some time on the mountain this holiday. Have fun tomorrow! - Dave
# May 26, 2006 4:06 PM

Larry said:

That sounds good, I should be up Sunday for a final ski.

Timberline was closed Monday & Wednesday (not sure about Thurs) and had only the Mile open, not counting Bruno's Today.

I see why Spring Skiing is such a challenge, the lower terrain is closed, and the upper is fogged out. I was surprised a week ago Wednesday the snow was still good after about 48 hours at 60 degrees! Otherwise I would say the other possibility is too hot!
Anyway looks like very good weather for skiing this weekend.

I might reconsider if it repeats next weekend. I thought u would demand a 6,000 turnout., but I guess u have to do less grooming per day for 3 days in a row?

Dave's reply: Just cutting some slack on the challenge - same amount of grooming each night. It should be an excellent holiday. - Dave
# May 26, 2006 4:12 PM

jamie said:

I've never skied this late in the season. what should i expect in terms of clothing? will a sweater be fine? what about snow pants? does it rain? i know these are probably pretty dumb questions, but i don't want to be too hot or too cold.

Dave's reply: I'd dress for wintery conditions on Saturday and wear goggles. Sunday and Monday look more like spring conditions where a shell or sweater with sun glasses may be just fine. I'd just bring a variety of stuff in the car so you can choose when you get here. It's unseasonably wintery right now but the sun is high in the sky and can warm things up fairly quickly. I hope that helps! - Dave
# May 26, 2006 4:34 PM

David Schor said:

Fantastic news - fresh snow and a three day weekend at Meadows. I'm tempted to ride all three days! Hope we get 4000 - this season is so good... maybe we could even go June 10th and 11th? Okay, I guess that's just being greedy. Thanks for giving us your best, Dave, and everyone else who keeps Meadows running all through April, May and into June. You guys ROCK! See you on the mountain...

Dave's reply: Thanks for the props. The only thing that would bum the crew out is if people stopped coming. It's a real charge for the crew when the public expresses that they like what we're doing. Most like any other job I'd suspect. People like to be surrounded by good vibes and the crew here is way into making people happy. It seems different this year. We did start some new initiatives internally that really helped create a positive environment. I'd like to think that's part of it. Personally, I'm already stoked for next November.. - Dave
# May 26, 2006 4:45 PM

Bill H said:

Oh Yeah, freshies. You can count me in all weekend and also you will see me on the deck at the end of the day drinking some beers!! I have really got my moneys worth this year by going over 60 times. Makes up for last year. Thanks for the awesome terrain parks this year. They seem to be everywhere. That is all like to do when there is no powder. It has been a fun year. Every weekend you stay open, I will be there.

Dave's reply: 60 times? Looks like we've got to stay open longer, you're nowhere near high enough on that pass. Lets see, if you purchased a season pass for $400 you're down to $6.67 per day! - Dave
# May 26, 2006 7:51 PM

Jay said:

Hey,
I'm really happy for all the rain cause it meant snow on the hill. Last time 3 weeks ago I though it was kinda sad, boarding in slush, no cascade or vista just hood express and shooting star. I'm excited now though to be there first thing tomorrow morn for fresh snow. I'll be up there sat and mon., I cant wait. See you alll up there.

Dave's reply: If its pounding snow Saturday :) Vista and Cascade may not run due to visiblity. We have no way of knowing for sure tonight if that will happen but if it does I sure won't be disappointed. Star, HRM, and Heather are closed for the season (all signs and ropes removed, etc.). Just wanted you to know the details. - Dave
# May 26, 2006 7:59 PM

Steep & Deep said:

Please don't close tomorrow if the turn out today isn't what you expect. I have friends flying in from back east who are all geared up for some awesome skiing tomorrow & Monday!

See you in the deep pow wow tomorrow!!!

Dave's reply: We'll be open. Have a great time with your friends!
# May 27, 2006 9:38 AM

Penelope and Zut said:

Came up today (sat), awesome powder up on Arena and Mytye "sp?" off of Vista. Had a run today that will go in the books, along with many others this season. Thanks for staying open, I can see the difficulty in getting numbers, snow melts in the cascades. Being from the southern rocky's where snow transitions from a solid to a gas, which results in less slush. Plan to come up again Monday, maybe even tomorrow we'll see how the legs feel.

On a side note: I hope the spring season pass will help with future revenue for MHM. I bought two right when you started the offer and have really enjoyed just walking to the lift, not worried about time and money spent in the process. (first season pass ever for us, 10+ trips on the pass) Given money will not be a problem next year, count us for two more season passes.

Dave's reply: We'll be rolling out the 06/07 early season pass prices here pretty soon on the website. Check back to find out. I think you'll be pleased with what we've come up with. Thanks for your support this year - its been a good one!
# May 27, 2006 7:15 PM

shredda said:

just wondering, was gonna bring my family up their but their boards are old and whack..are rentals free?

Dave's reply: The South Lodge Rental Shop is open, sorry, no free rentals :(
# May 27, 2006 11:03 PM

Sarah said:

Thats Really awesome that it is on!! Woohoo!! Looks like it will be a blast up there! I heard somewhere that it was free lifts all weekend...Just wonddring if that was true...?
please let me know!! Thank you,
-Sarah-

Dave's reply: Hi Sarah, Sorry, no free lift tickets but they are discounted to $34 for an adult all day ticket!
# May 28, 2006 8:37 AM

SurfNski said:

I have to thank you for a great season and this great weekend! I have to give some thumbs up with the blog esp! I have had a much more personal experience with Meadows than in the past and I have felt more in touch. THanks for working out a practical system in addressing all our concerns and needs. I am sure I speak for a few in the snow community. I have been impressed with this example of business catering to the community and serving its customers. Well done!
Danny

Dave's reply: Wow. Thank you so much for the compliments Danny. It's very kind of you to take the time to express how you feel. I've been thinking about writing a blog about the blog after we close. It's worth talking about how this is changing things for the community as well as the staff and management. Stay tuned..
# May 28, 2006 1:10 PM

seth said:

how does it look on being open 6/3-4? what about 6/10-11? ill be out from the east on business and will be bringing my boards.

Dave's reply: I'll do an update to the blog Monday afternoon regarding your question. Thank you.
# May 28, 2006 1:45 PM

intelisevil said:

As an employee, I'd like to say that I didn't see any sad faces up on the mountain Saturday or Sunday, (I won't count the ones who tried to get on the lift without a ticket . . . ). I look forward to seeing more of your smiling faces tomorrow.

I know the calendar says May, but it seemed a lot more like that other month that starts with 'Ma'! I was amazed at the parts of the mountain that were brown and bare on Saturday but nice and white on Sunday.

PS: The guests will know who I am, I'm the lifty who kept apologizing for the 'long lift lines'.

Dave's reply: Lifty bbq tomorrow - yeah!
# May 28, 2006 5:47 PM

Bill said:

Well this was another great weekend of skiing with today being the sunny spring day and yesterday the winter blast!!!

We can't wait to see what next weekend brings in; looks like more sunshine and great spring skiing.

By the way, what was the count this long weekend?

Dave's reply: See lastest posting just posted!
# May 29, 2006 2:05 PM