Hoodoo near Sisters, Oregon Concludes 2014-15 Ski Season, Opens Several Oregon Campgrounds Early

The 2014-15 season at Hoodoo Ski Area was one of unusually warm weather, high hopes and very low snow levels. As much as we hoped, prayed and danced for tons of fluffy, white powder, Mother Nature had a different plan. Hoodoo is now officially closed until the 2015-16 season.

Hoodoo said they are committed to offering our guests the best experience possible. We know Hoodoo Ski Area is the introductory mountain for thousands of skiers and boarders every year and it’s important to keep our mountain diverse and relevant.

During the past 15+ years since Chuck Shepard purchased Hoodoo and saved it from imminent closure, they’ve made a lot of improvements and additions at the mountain, including:

• A 60,000 sq. ft. lodge with numerous amenities
• The Hodag chair on Hoodoo’s challenging backside
• The Autobahn Tubing Park, one of the largest snow tubing parks on the West Coast
• Two new quad chairs (Ed and Green)
• 32 RV sites in the Hoodoo parking lot
• Parking lot area expansion
• Maintenance abilities more than doubled
• Purchase of two piston bully snowcats
• Largest fleet of skibikes on the West Coast
• Over 300 pairs of Rossignal skis acquired for rental

Additionally, Hoodoo Ski Areas will allow season pass and AnyCard holders to roll their unused 2013-14 and 2014-15 passes to next season without added fees. Guests who did not pick up their 2014-15 season passes or AnyCards will be issued new passes at the Hoodoo ticket office at the start of the 2015-16 ski season.

Guests who picked up their 2014-15 season passes will need to pay for the days they used ($30 per day for adults, $20 per day for juniors and seniors) before new passes are issued.

Hoodoo will also offer refunds to both 2013-14 and 2014-15 season pass holders, minus a $25 processing fee. Refund requests and any questions should be sent to Daidre Streeter at daidre@hoodoo.com or 541-822-3799.

Many resorts require that season pass holders purchase snow insurance at the beginning of the season to qualify for rollovers after low-snow seasons. At Hoodoo, we are dedicated to our loyal guests and hope they will continue to support our locally operated, family friendly ski resort in the future.

Many Hoodoo Ski Area season pass holder and frequent guests have asked how they can support Hoodoo following the unusually short 2014-15 ski season. The answer is simple: Enjoy tent and RV camping in 150+ campgrounds that Hoodoo Recreation manages in both Oregon and Washington.

With little or snow remaining to melt in these campgrounds, Hoodoo Recreation opened seven campgrounds in the Metolius River area of the Deschutes National Forest in late March.

These campgrounds include Link Creek, Camp Sherman, Pine Rest, Smiling River, Allen Springs, Allingham, Gorge and Lower Bridge. Please note that water will not be available in these campgrounds until May, which is closer to the normal opening schedule. Overnight rates will be lowered to $14 in these campgrounds until further notice.

For more details, including maps, amenities and nearby recreation activities, go to www.hoodoorecreation.com or call 541-338-7869.

Hoodoo Ski Area is a family-owned, locally operated mountain recreation area operated on federal land by agreement with the Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River ranger district. Located on the summit of Oregon’s Santiam Pass, 20 miles west of Sisters, Hoodoo is one of the state’s most centrally located, economical and family friendly winter sports destinations. Visit us online at www.skihoodoo.com and see why Hoodoo is “The Mountain in Your Backyard!”