Timberline reopens this week; adds new terrain
Timberline Ski Area will open its upper runs this weekend, even while it is completing work on a new chairlift and new runs lower on Mount Hood that will open with the regular winter sports season. Timberline’s ski runs extend from permanent snowfields at the 8,500-foot level on Mount Hood down to the 4,800-foot level. The upper snowfield, called the Palmer, is most frequently used for late spring to early fall skiing. With last weekend’s snowfall refreshing the permament snowfield, the upper runs are in good shape and will open Friday through Sunday, Oct. 26-28, weather permitting.
Now here’s something you’re never going to see in Southeast Texas…the eagerly-awaited opening of ski season. Given the climate and the fact that it’s as flat as three-dollar bill…yeah, there aren’t a lot of ski areas along the Gulf Coast.
With the crummy weather we’ve been having here up until the last couple days, there’s been plenty of snow in the upper reaches of the Cascades, so now that the weather has cleared, you can see a heavy snow cover on Mt. Hood. If you’re a skier, you’re pretty excited about this, because it’s still a bit early. I don’t much care, because to me snow is good for only one thing- a snowball fight. It also serves as a reminder that I really need to buy a set of chains, because sometime this winter I’m probably going to want to drive up to Timberline Lodge…and it’ll probably snow here in Portland at least once this winter.
Yes, Virginia, we actually do have something resembling winter here….
Man, I’ve been here a bit over three weeks, and my suntan is already fading….
