Ah, our Weekly Ritual

I’m starting to look forward to these, a little insight into one of the many campgrounds that Hoodoo manages in Oregon and Washington. It’s time to take this adventure to the Wenatchee Forest,  on the eastern coast of the Cascade Mountain range, spanning the Chelan, Yakima and Kittitas counties. Today we deign to visit Bumping Lake, where the lake is bumping and the fun never stops.The pass normally opens in late April or early May. We’re talking successfully pressurized water system in the upper campground, AND a hand pump in the lower campground. There are paved roads galore throughout. A boat ramp is in the near vicinity to enjoy water recreation galore. Bumping Lake has 67 sites, a combination of backs and pull throughs which are perfect for trailers. Logistics- 60% are reservable, the rest are first-come, first-served. As always, we welcome questions but report your reservations to rec.gov. Happy Friday!

Cheers,

Jenna

 

Here’s to you Mr./Mrs. Autobahn!

The autobahn is a magical thing.  Thank you Germany, I don’t think we’d be the same without it. I know that their original idea of a motorized freeway where you can drive as fast as you want isn’t QUITE the same thing, but the frequent crowds who have been unleashing their excitement on me all day, well they’re pretty pumped. For those of you autobahn noobs out there- the autobahn is the tube hill on the northwest flanks of Hayrick Butte, 800′  runs serviced by a handle tow. In recent days it has been down to lack of snow, but NO MORE! The snow has been coming in in droves- we’ve had 23 inches in the last 24 hours. Those snow dances have been working and we appreciate each and every one of them. Now get on up there and autobahn away!

Cheers,

Jenna

Post Winter Carnival Greatness

Sounds like Winter Carnival was a total success. The responses have been great and as soon as the pictures are perfect and raring to go, I’ll definitely share some with you. Meanwhile, if you have a fun Winter Carnival memory or a pic of you enjoying Hoodoo, please feel free to share it on our Facebook page. Now you’re allowed a few days off but not too many; you need to get your snow legs back together becaaaaaause- the autobahn is scheduled to re-open on Saturday! 3 inches in the past 48 hours, but be sure to check in here for regular weather updates.

Cheers,

Jenna

Flurries!

Your prayers are being answered slowly people, the snow Gods and Goddesses are gently investing in a little of that frosty goodness up at Hoodoo. Last check-in (7am today) temperature at base was 31 degrees and temperature at summit was 25. The word used to describe our snow intake is “flurries”, and four lifts are open today.

More of a visual person/don’t believe me? Check out pics here-http://www.hoodoo.com/daily_conditions.htm

Also be sure to call our snow phone for complete up to date info. Those magical digits are- 541-822-3337

Happy Monday,

Jenna

Spotlight on Campsite

Today we’re traveling to the Deschutes. Although it also makes a lovely river, that’s not our destination today. We travel to the trees, to the National Forest, comprised of 1.8 million acres and home to some of Hoodoo’s most coveted campgrounds. Extensive recreational activities in the Deschutes area include but are not limited to: boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and mountain biking on the extensive variety of trails on there. Hoodoo is happy to host vacation hot spots like- Suttle Lake, Metolius River, Billy Chinook, Newberry Crater and Odell Lake. All come equipped with picturesque views and a range of amenities.

Friday spotlight campground- Princess Creek at Odell Lake. A property that I personally have visited, Princess Creek is an old style campground. It has narrow roads and small sites, ideal for smaller RVs and tents. If you obtain a National Forest pass, then there is an excellent boat ramp for your usage. Easy access from highway 58 and lakeside sites make Princess Creek a place to put on your to-do list.

For reservations, visit Rec.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. Do it, I dare ya.

Cheers,

Jenna

Downhill No Dummy

Creativity at its Finest

This downhill ain’t for no dummies. In fact, should you choose to accept the challenge, you automatically become very intelligent and anti-dummy like. Yet another bonus of hanging out at Hoodoo.

What have dummies and downhills to do with anything? The 3594538th event to get amped up for at the upcoming Winter Carnival. Hoodoo’s Winter Carnival this year will take place February 12. Added incentive? All qualified dummy entrants will automatically receive a $25 gift certificate to the Mt. Hoodoo Powder Shoppe. It’s time to start strategizing. Now, don’t go getting tricky, no live dummies allowed. Other stipulations include: prohibited glass, a weight of less than 85 pounds and a tow rope must be attached.  Past participants have gotten pretty creative. Check out some local creativity from  Sisters High School- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJToQB0OfT4

You can check out the registration form here, and be sure to get that in before February 11th. Judges will score all dummies on original presentation and best finish. Or crash. Whichever way you want to look at it.

I Say a Little Prayer for Snow

It’s about that time again. And this time, I think it’s really necessary that we take the name of the game to heart. It’s called Pray for Snow for a reason people! Collectively, if we all focus our most positive of energies to the powers that be that they should relocate snow to our lovely Hoodoo, I think we MIGHT just make a difference. Not that you really need an excuse to party, but it helps right? Makes you feel like a better person.

How does one elicit an invite to this exclusive bash? It ain’t easy…Well, actually it is. Simply resign yourself to spend a few minutes at any one of Pray for Snow’s sponsors . We’ve got Black Butte Ranch, Pro Caliber, and US Cellular, just to name a few. Ask them for a VIP pass to tomorrow’s upcoming Pray for Snow.

Tomorrow’s event will take place from 5:30-7 at the Sun Mountain Fun Center in Bend. We’ve only got 3 more after tomorrow left this year, so enjoy them while you can. Tomorrow’s will include food, fun and giveaways so cross your Tuesday night off. You’ve got some praying for snow to do.

Martin Luther Ski-ing Weekend 2011!

MLK Weekend 2011 time! No better way to celebrate someone great than by doing something great. That’s why this weekend is the perfect opportunity to get some quality exercise in, while enjoying the great Northwest. A colleague of mine recently used the term “Central Oregon’s playground.” Well, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Believe me, I tried. Doug up at Hoodoo snapped this pic today-

We were going for an opaque, artsy photo, I swear…

Pricing is peak this weekend, but so is the snow. Be sure to listen in to Chuck on the Les Schwab Mid-Cascade Ski and Road report. Just ignore the podcast that records from sunny Pheonix, AZ. On that note, Duck fans- you’ve only got 210 days (approx), that’s 5040 hours (exact), or 3,02,400 minutes (with a little wiggle room) until football season 2011 starts. Get your ya-yas out now, while you still can.

Cheers,

Jenna

A Club for all the Cool Kids

We’re getting to that addictive point in the season. Past the point of no return when you just want to ski every minute all the time. Or board, or tube, whatever floats your boat. Just wanted to let you know, we’re here to support. Your addiction is totally healthy, and we even have the cure. The cure…the Hoodoo Club Card–  the Cascades premiere skier discount club. Cardholders = the coolest of cool kids on the slopes, who are saving up to $22 a day during peak season. They’re the kids who aren’t calling it quits at 4 p.m. when we’re open for night skiing because guess what? They don’t need to. Cardholders can ski all day and every day and save money at the same time. Let’s look at some numbers…

Adults
Normal day? $29
Normal night? $12
Club Hoodoo membership? $75

If you go skiing three days, you’ve already made it worth your while!

Kiddos…well okay, youth (under 25)
Normal day? $27
Normal night? $12
Club Hoodoo membership? $50

Juniors and Seniors
Normal day? $22
Normal night? $10
Club Hoodoo membership? $40

Club membership = as Mastercard’s catchy adage goes- priceless.

Cheers,

Jenna

 

Tele Fun Fest Comin’ Your Way

It’s Tele Fest time!What is Tele Fest? You say. I mean… I’ll let the inquiry slide this time, but store it in that Encephalonentophic Intelligious Majoras (brain…duh) for future mountain expert wowing occasions.

Telemark skiing refers to the Telemark turn. Some call it “free heel skiing.” The skis used are different than normal alpine skiis because they have a binding like cross country skiis only connecting the boot to the ski at the toes. Hence the term, “free heel skiing.”

How did the Tele Fest begin? Another fair question. Its roots lie in a passion for fun and sharing it with others. And what better origins than those?

Hoodoo’s Tele Fest has been going on successfully for seven years now– The biggest Telemark and Randonnee event west of the Mississippi. You can try out demos, enjoy free lessons and participate in clinics. We won’t even begrudge you great raffles AND fantastic races.

You’ve still got a week to get your hands on tickets so head on over to the Hoodoo Website. While you’re there, be sure to check out winter hours and upcoming snow forecasts.  (They’re looking good!)

Cheers,

Jenna