December 24, 2007
Cooper Spur opens for the season; more snow is on the way
By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
Weather forecasts are calling it a white
Christmas for the Cascades Range.
In Hood River County, that translates to a
potential blanket of new snow for the weekend and holiday at the
southern end of the county.
The National Weather Service forecast is
calling for a snow level of 2,500 feet Saturday night, which is
expected to drop to 2,000 feet by Monday night.
On Christmas Day, the forecast is for mostly
cloudy weather with a chance of rain or snow and high
temperatures between 35 to 40 degrees.
The snow brings business to the upper valley
area as it does to Mt. Hood Meadows and Cooper Spur Ski Area.
“We are delighted with our early Christmas
present,” said Dave Tragethon, marketing director for Mt. Hood
Meadows. “It’s over 5 feet now (Wednesday afternoon) in the base
area and with the storm expected tonight and this weekend it
should be above normal by Christmas Day.”
Snow was falling Wednesday, which meant a
Thursday opening for Cooper Spur. Supervisor Barbara Pacheco
said her staff was excited and ready for the opening.
“It’s been snowing — today more of a wet
snow; finally got enough snow to open tomorrow (Thursday) at
Cooper Spur ski resort,” she said.
The ski area’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. daily and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Those hours will be in effect through Jan. 5. On Jan. 6, Cooper
Spur will close for the day and reopen on its normal weekend
schedule Jan. 11.
Cooper Spur hasn’t been without customers
though. The restaurant and inn have been doing a blitz of winter
and holiday-related business.
“The restaurant has been open and pretty
busy. People have been coming up for Christmas parties and
families also who have been coming up to the mountain,” Pacheco
said.
In addition to snow-related fun, Mt. Hood
Meadows has a number of holiday events planned.
These include lunch with Santa Saturday and Sunday from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m.; three day holiday camps Dec. 26-28 or Jan. 2-4
for ages four to 12; and freestyle camps during the same days
for ages 10 and older with intermediate skiing or snowboarding
abilities.
