Powder Greets Opening Weekend Skiers at Hood Ski Bowl, Bluewood

Powder on opening day launches the season in high spirits. That’s exactly what happened this past weekend Mt. Hood Skibowl and Bluewood.

Skiers and riders hitting Mt. Hood Skibowl in Oregon for opening weekend dove into powder. A foot of snow dropped in 24 hours followed by a second 12-inch dump. By Monday morning, all lifts except for the West Side Rope Tow were in operation. Night skiing, which runs every night until 10 p.m., also started up for the season as did daily tubing and Saturday night Cosmic Tubing.

For beginners, Skibowl offers two first-timer packages. The three-day package, called Guaranteed Learn to Ski or Ride 1-2-3, costs $119. The seven-visit package, called Lucky 7, costs $326. Both packages combine lessons, lift tickets, and rentals for kids eight years old through adults.

Bluewood in Washington opened with freshies galore. On Friday, about 50 percent of the terrain was skiable with powder stashes in the trees, but by Sunday, 9-12 inches of powder greeted skiers and riders. Bluewood is scheduled to operate lifts Thursdays to Sundays and daily Dec. 20-Jan. 1, except for Christmas Day.

The ski area offers a package for beginner skiers and snowboarders. The EZ Ski and Ride Package includes three days of lift tickets, three days of rentals, and three group lessons for $128. The package can be used on any three days during the season and is available for first graders through adults.

For more information on Hood Skibowl's beginner lesson packages, look here. For more information on Bluewood’s EZ Ski and Ride program, look here.