MEADOWS BLOG

Great call Dave - and FREE 4 all too! I'm heading for my skis now to put a good structure in the base: (tip for skiers) if you want to slide and not stick on very wet snow - wax with a soft wax meant for temps above freezing and then scrape it off gently - then finish off with a flat bastard file turned on the edge and draw it with medium to light pressure from tip to tail - leaving a fine ridged series of grooves running the length of each ski. Brush to finish and you will go fast without grabbing and have a lot more fun! Structure is more important than wax to assure a speedy ski.

Dave's reply: Very good points. Thanks for taking the time to share that with everyone.

A very nice and classy way to end this wonderfully long season. Thanks!

Dave's reply: Just sharing the love..!

Unfortunately, I work this Saturday and will not be able to make it up. Thanks for a really great year. I had not been skiing in over 5 years, due to travelling and moving out of state. I had my new skis ready last season but didn't go because I kept hearing about the poor conditions. This year I got my first day at Meadows in December and had a great time. I couldn't believe I had let myself get away from the sport. I ended up going to Colorado in January for a trip (when the snow was falling hardest in Oregon) and then I came back to Meadows with a vengeance. I checked the website daily to check the base and read the blogs. I scored the spring pass the first day you offered it and made decent weekend use of it, always trying to bring ticket buyers.
The internet is great for keeping up on the conditions and your blogs have been informative and let the public know you care what we think. Meadows has the best terrain in Oregon, I like the direction management is going, and I plan on getting a season pass next year. I hope you get out and do some glading like you talked about too. I would guess limited in Jack's woods due to people's strong reactions to changing anything there, but also on the Shooting Star lift, and the east side of Mt Hood Express are areas I've been around but never through. Surprise me. Have a great day tomorrow. Sell lots of beer and gear. I'll be back next season.

Dave's reply: Welcome back to the lifetime sport of skiing! I'll keep working on the glading. I think there are some areas that are very suitable for some thoughtful thinning. Check the website periodically this summer for blog updates on what's happening at the Meadows. See you next fall!

Thanks Dave, for doing it right. You will have a lot of very happy people on the mountain Saturday, celebrating the final day of this fantastic season. Give the whole crew props for making the customers happy all season. June at Meadows will be a memory we will all cherish (until the next epic season). Have a great summer, everyone!

Dave's reply: It's been one to remember. See you tomorrow!

I rearranged my schedule, as did others, and planned to come up on Sunday rain or shine.

Dave's reply: Sorry, hope you can make it Saturday.

Uhh.. so I don't see Heather listed, this leads me to suspect it won't be open, is this true?

Dave's reply: Sorry, no Heather Canyon. The emergency access out of the bottom is inaccessible becasue the snow bridges have caved in.

Thanks for a great season! It has been sweet, ... and we'll all be back next season!

Perhaps summer can be used to thin some of the trees here and there. Not much is needed, but thinning a few thick obrstuctions here and there might help.

Jack Woods? I think a lot of the opposition came from a lack of understanding about what exactly is meant by Jack Woods. There are areas there with trees widely spaced already, and maybe some people assumed you would clear those away. But, I believe what you had in mind was to open up some of the more densly populated areas that are pretty much unskiable right now.

Another good place to do some tree thinning might be the area between Kinnickinick and Wy'East trails. That forested area is already quite skiable, but there are a few surprise obstacles, including one dead branch sticking out at right angles at about the head height of an average person. I once had to twist and duck to avoid it.

The beauty of that area is that it is quite accessible to intermediate skiers. Most people enter it at the place where two trails merge (the one coming from the top of the Yellow chair and the one coming from the top of the HRM chair. The trees there are already a bit widely spaced, forming a natural "entrance" to the forest. But, the entrance is not marked in any obvious way.

One problem is that a lot of cautious intermediate skiers might never even try to go there, for fear of the unknown. I am an advanced skier, but even I stayed away for a long time, not wanting to get myself into a thick forest. I usually only played in the trees very close to to the edge of the Kinnickinick trail, so I could always get out to safety if the trees got too thick. It was only this year that I ventured deeper into those woods and discovered that the trees are actually thinner as you go deeper in. So, there's really nothing to worry about. But most people don'w know it.

So, if you could just remove a few menacing branches and stumps, I believe the area would be safe enough to actually advertise it as a "tree park" (a terrain park for turning instead of jumping).

Yes, put up a big entrance gate at the start of it, to invite people in. Maybe a wooden structure such as those at the entrances to some ranches, with a big sign on top, saying something like: "Welcome to the Enchanted Forest".

Yes, of course, I could have kept this area a secret to share with just a few close friends! But, why be selfish? Let everyone enjoy it! In fact, a lot of people are enjoying it already!

Dave's reply: Great comment. Thank you. You're correct that some people freaked out with the thought of touching Jack's Woods because of the fear that we'd over-thin areas already skiable. That's probably a result of a lack of detail on my part. My objective is just what you said - just thin areas that are currently choked to the point of being un-skiable. Leave the rest of the area just the way it is. A vast majority of people support thinning in other areas around the ski area though - even those who voiced opposition to doing any thinning in Jack's Woods. Whatever we do, we have to go through the Forest Service first and that will take time. I think there are some very environmentally responsible projects that could really make tree skiing better at Meadows though and will continue to work on this. Thanks again for a very thoughtful blog comment.

Thank you so much for the free lift ticket next Saturday! I'll be sure to grab some food and check out the deals on gear. =)

Dave's reply: Right on. Have fun and bring some friends along!

Dave, is there any way you could post the high res map of meadows colin mentioned in the previous blog on the site? I would love to have it. It would be sweet to have something to look at other than the standard trail map. Also, for those of us with good internet, a couple megs is no big deal. Btw the park was awesome!

Dave's reply: I haven't seen it yet. I think the main thing you are asking for is better access on our website to aerial photos and better maps. We'll look into that. I think its a good idea.

Part of the fun of tree skiing is keeping the shots secret. Thinning trees sucks for the environnment and it also sucks for those of us who duck and hunt for the best and untouched spots on the mountain days after the storm.

Dave's reply: Thanks for your thoughts and comments.

I found the following news article... At least we don't have to do this to ski in June!

HUDSON, Wis. - They'll be celebrating the first weekend in June with a little snowboarding in northwestern Wisconsin.

Here's the catch: The snow is leftover from March.

The operators of Badlands Sno-Park outside Hudson saved about 10 acres of snow that fell in March in a ravine east of Hudson and covered it with tarps.

It will be hauled out in about seven semi-truck loads and spread out Friday for two or three days of snowboarding at the St. Croix County park, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

"It's going to be fun. This is the first time we've tried it," said Maggie Hall, who owns and operates the park with her brother, Pat Kinney. "We are going to start summer out on a snow bank — in swimsuits."

The park is on the siblings' 120-year-old family farm.

About 35 years ago, their parents turned part of the farm into a sledding hill to help support their 11 kids. In the mid-1990s Hall and her brother added snowboarding, Hall said.

She expects about 30 snow boarders Friday and about 150 Saturday.

Hudson is about a half-hour drive across state lines from Minneapolis.

Associated Press - June 3, 2006

Dave's reply: You've got to appreciate their passion for the sport!

Well, Dave...all that't left for me to say is "Ya done good".

Hope you show your face at the BBQ today so people can express their gratitude face to face. Had to take my hubby to the airport today so we can't make it for the bash. I'm a bit bummed to miss it, but such is life. Maybe next season mother nature will be as kind.

Take care of the mountain this off season and we'll all see ya in a few months.

Pray for snow,
LeAnn

ps. It almost makes me cry to see it this one end.

Dave's reply: Fall will come soon and we'll be turning on the snow covered ridges and gullies once again. Regarding snowfall, my opinion after working at Meadows for 13 years is that Mt. Hood ususally has a lot of it. The timing of when it starts may vary in the fall by 2 to 4 weeks but once it starts we usually have enough to go late into spring. I used to work at resorts in the Rocky Mountains where it seemed like we would go for weeks without anything but man made snow. January out there is known as the drought month. March in Colorado is actually the snowiest month of the year. We'd pray for good December snow to help make it to February each year so that we weren't dodging rocks all through January.

This year seems like such and incredible year because of how bad it was the year before. Most people have forgotten how good it was in 03/04. It was much like this year and that was when we set our previous record for skier visits.

If we have an "average" year in 06/07, that will be about 450 inches of snow, which is 37 feet. That is far more than most areas in the country except for the California areas. The pacific ocean delivers lots of precipitation to all of us here in the far west. Some of it comes in the form of rain, as we all know, but we are blessed with far more snow than most areas east of here.

You can tell I'm already thinking about next season! See you then and thanks for your participation on the blog this year!

I work in the hospitality industry and our business is very weather dependent. Sunny days, business is booming, and rain tends slow things down a little bit. The point is, that rain or shine, we are always open and we keep the same, consistant hours. The reason for this is so that our loyal customers know that if they want to pay a visit, they can. Same goes for Meadows, the mentality is now, maybe its raining, maybe its not, are they going to be open? Who knows? I have read posts from people who have driven up on days that have been closed with last minutes notice. The exception should be safety issues. In fact, I guarantee that people will be showing up on Sunday. I hope someone is up there to take a count of the dissapointed and soon to be disillusioned skiers and snowboarders.

Yes, this was a great season, but before we unload praise on the Mt. Hood Meadows management, the ones you should truly be thanking is mother nature. 649 inches cures A LOT of problems, and allows for a lot of feel good whatever. The problem is, with global warming, seasons like this may not come for a long time, or never again. People need to get used to a little rain, clouds, or whatever. I need to know that when I plan on attending Meadows, EVEN IF I AM THE ONLY PERSON UP THERE THAT DAY, that they will be open for me.

I am not a psychology major, but the whole pattern of are we open, arent we, yes we are, no we are not has probably costs about 25% in visits. That is with 649 inches. Now imagine a season like last year, which will become more common. Ski resorts will become obsolete. Look for places like ski bowl and cooper spur to dissapear completely and for a dramatic decline in Meadows and Timberline operations.

I am from Southern California, and I always thought we were a bit weather sensitive, but go out there on a rainy day. Its packed, people are loyal and hardcore. Even if its a little less crowded, you can count on the doors being open, which is especially nice if you have invested in a season pass. I dont care about free lift tickets, or free anything for that matter. Its all about the snowboarding and very little to do with the fluff.

My schedule, as with many, does not allow me to come up today. I had plans, as did many, to come up tomorrow. According to Dave's own statistics Meadows had a record season, which to me equals record profits. Enjoy them...when next season or the one after, you only have 150 inches of snow, I will be loyal to the ski resort that is open every day.

We met last weeks so called challenge, and the resort is still closed tomorrow. You can bet, that if Mammoth decided to close on July 3rd, instead of say, July 4th, it would be a publicity nightmare. The point is that would never happen, and thats what differentiates them, or my place of business, or whatever else that makes people feel like more than a number. Like 4000, or $400, or 2.5 per car.

I know some people will respond to this email and say that I am negative and that Meadows is a business and not a charity and whatever else because they are so blinded by 649 inches and Meadows doing something they should have done anyways. STAY OPEN. Open your eyes, I know for every disagreeing post, there are 25 more people that agree with me. The 8 compliments you get in this particular blog you get do not translate to all of the people that will be disenchanted. I want all of the working people out there to think for a minute...if you are going to have a slow day at work, whatever you do, are you allowed to close? Why or why not? EXACTLY.

To make this truly an interactive way of communicating with the mountain I STRONGLY believe that we should be able to pick are own topics and you should hire a moderator/public relations person whose job is strictly to respond to everyone. Dave, you should not have a monopoly on the topics. We have so much else to discuss, and in order to truly put your finger on the pulse of your customers, we need to be able to start our own threads. It works for many different ski resorts. Also, I have other issues that I will address later on, but until now I will just continue to be dissapointed that I cant go up there for my last day tomorrow. I think the forecast calls for a little rain tonight, but we are open for business and I have to go to work for the hopefully many but probably few that will be coming out tonight.

Dave's reply: Thanks for your thoughts, comments, and sharing them with us. I'm happy to listen to and consider your issues and have done so all year. I do appreciate the contrarian points that you've made all season on this blog and believe it or not I do register your opinions when making decisions for the resort.

Thanks Mt. Hood Meadows Staff for a great season of skiing and may next year be a repeat performance! One suggestion: in the picture gallery maybe you can make it so people can actually post comments since there is a catagory for comments.

Once Again great year and bring on the snow in October!!!! By the way that is an awesome picture of Steve Leavitt in DEEP POWDER in the "Your Meadows" pics gallery!!!

Dave's reply: Thanks for your comment. I'll pass your suggestion along to the webmaster. See you in the fall.

Thank you so much for great great season!!I enjoyed a lot.I had no chance to ski before.I have started skiing since last December.I am an exchange student.I cannot drive.So my friends,ski coach,and host family helped me to get there.I really really appeciated it.I enjoyed with them a lot.But otherwise if they are not going,I cannot go.I got so much frustration for skiing.I have not been skiing since middle of April.Seems like I cannot go Meadows today,either...But I have been always thinking of skiing there and checking your blog.Thank you for your terrific efforts.I do not think I will wear my ski boots and ski jacket anymore in this year so I am going to send them to my country today.When I went to ski last time,I found ski pants which is so pretty and perfectly fits me.I could not make my dream come ture.I really wanted skiing wearing that.I had no money with me,so I could not even get it...But I will be back!!!Seriously I wanna work at Meadows.When every time I say that,people who doesn't know skiing laughs me.I will make my dream come ture!Do you wanna hire me?
Anyway,I had extreamly great time more than anybody else!Especially when Meadows is peak,I was supposed to ride a lift with someone.I could not speak very well,but I learned a lot and had wonderful time ever!!!Also you have lots of awesome employees.Thank you to all of them!I was so happy you decided to let us skiing long time.I was hoping to ski in June and then tell my friends when I go home.But I will skiing as much as I wish in my future.This year was great start for me.I am glad I decided to join ski team.I can swear I could not enjoy my exchange year without skiing,you know.
I will keep check this website even I got home.If you guys have lots of snow next season.I will come back to ski in spring.I think I will be in university which I wanna go.I hope everybody is skiing at Meadows today is having great time!!Thank you!!!

Dave's reply: You sound like a really fun person! We love to hire people who have a strong passion for Meadows. If you wish to apply for a job at Mt. Hood Meadows please send an email to hr@skihood.com. Jami LaMaita is the Director of Human Resources. We will have lots of full and part time jobs we will be filling next year. Have a great summer and thanks for your blog comment!

Regarding the Masked Consumer Advocate, rescuing the rest of us poor soles from the evil Mt. Hood Meadows...

I believe during the season it rained and MT. Hood Meadows stayed open, even handed out free Hefty bags to people so they could ski in the stuff. Mt. Hood Meadows graciously extended their season (I'm not talking about until April 30th) into May with a challenge, a challenge that was not met until last weekend, and yet Meadows took a mulligan week after week in order to provide its guests another chance to ski or ride. Meadows only promised, "Open weather dependant" and then Dave communicated in advance the operating schedule.
That being said, my only request of you is 1. Use your Name when submitting to the blog because you do not speak for me, nor any one I know. 2. Don’t be vague as in "Hospitality Industry"; Golf Courses and Hotels are different 3. Go back to bed and try standing up on the other side before responding.

Dave's reply: Thanks for your comments. I don't want to see an argument between customers started on the blog though :0 This points out to me that of the many people we serve, there are many different points-of-view. My goal is that the people who come to Meadows do so because they feel good about the value, employees, facilities, and outdoor recreational experience - that is what we work for. Periodically, we have a customer who simply dislikes everything about the ski resort. Or, they like the ski area but hate me, or some manager, or all our employees, etc. You seem to be more satisfied with Meadows than the other person you are referring to. I'm willing to listen and consider all points-of-view, even those that are critical. Actually, I view a complaint as an opportunity. Hopefully we don't generate too many of them though! At some point, that other person may choose to ski somewhere else. I certainly recognize that she/he has choices. Thanks for your input. Have a great summer.

Dave, THANK YOU for such an amazing season!!! Admitedly my husband and I skipped today because we were absolutely exhausted (we're restaurant owners). We'll definately be back for season passes next year!

Sarah

Dave's reply: Hi Sarah, Thank you for being a part of this season. If it wasn't for your support, we wouldn't exist. See you in the fall!

I can't believe that skiing was free on Saturday and I missed it!!! Even more disappointing is that the area won't be open Sunday. I'm one of the people who planned to make it up for Closing Day. The local TV stations ran brief bits about Sunday being the last day of the season. I can understand (sort of - if in fact it does rain) the decision but what a public relations nightmare to not have communicated this information through the media. For such a great year this black eye is sure a negative way to close things out.

Dave's reply: I'm sorry you were unable to learn about what was going on. We've got snowphones in Hood River, Vancouver, and Portland to call, the website was updated Friday, and it was covered on all 4 of the television broadcasts Friday night. Its always a good thing to log on or call the snow phone when your thinking of taking a trip to the ski area to see if anything is happening that you need to know about. It rained hard at the mountain last nigth and this morning. Yesterday was a good day to make the last day..Thanks for sharing your comments. Have a great summer!