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Latest in Oregon
Timberline Lodge Drops Gondola Plan, Pivots to Two New Chairlifts on Oregon's Mt Hood
Timberline Lodge has scrapped its long-planned gondola project and is replacing it with something more skier-focused: two new chairlifts on the lower mountain, plus a new base lodge. The gondola was meant to physically connect Timberline and Summit Pass - acquired back in 2018 - but the resort has decided a lift-based solution better suits its long-term operations. Still needs Forest Service approval before anything gets built.
Michael Fulton
Mt. Bachelor Begins Major Modernisation Project on Northwest Express Chairlift
Mt. Bachelor in Oregon has launched a major modernisation project on its Northwest Express chairlift ahead of the 2026-27 season. Upgrades include a new electric motor, auxiliary power unit, control system overhaul, buried fibre lines, expanded operator shacks, and a night-drive system to combat ice buildup. The lift serves some of the mountain's most popular advanced terrain - and carries the seventh-largest vertical drop of any lift in North America at 2,336 feet.
Michael Fulton
Worker Dies After Maintenance Basket Falls From Chairlift at Mt. Hood Skibowl
A maintenance basket fell from the upper bowl chairlift at Mt. Hood Skibowl East on 30 April, killing one worker and seriously injuring another. The incident occurred in steep terrain during what appears to have been routine maintenance work. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified and is investigating.
Michael Fulton
How the West Lost Its Winter: The 2025-26 US Snow Drought Explained
The 2025-26 ski season across the western United States wasn't just a bad year - it was the worst on record. A massive marine heat wave, a stubborn high-pressure ridge, and relentless warmth combined to destroy snowpack across eight states, force at least 69 ski resorts to close early, and wipe roughly $100 million from Vail Resorts' bottom line. Here's what happened, why it happened, and what it means for skiing's future.
Michael Fulton
Mt Hood Meadows Closes April 12 After Latest Opening Day in 30 Years
Mt Hood Meadows will close April 12 following a season that didn't start until December 23 - the resort's latest opening in three decades. Insufficient snow coverage has forced the early closure, with pond skim and Pride events cancelled.
Michael Fulton
Western U.S. Ski Resorts Close Early as Warm Weather Compounds Poor Snow Season
A heat wave hitting the western United States has forced dozens of ski resorts to close early or abandon their seasons entirely. With below-average snowpacks across the region, the warm spell has ended operations at over 40 resorts from Arizona to Montana.
Michael Fulton
Pacific Northwest Ski Resorts Just Got Buried — March 2026 Snow Report
Washington's ski resorts have just received a serious dump, with several areas recording over 50cm of fresh snow in a single 24-hour period. Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie, and White Pass are all showing big numbers, and the broader Pacific Northwest — including Oregon and Montana — has copped a solid hit too. Here's what the data is showing right now.
Michael Fulton
Mt. Bachelor Announces Northwest Lift Upgrades and New Programs for 2025-26
Mt. Bachelor plans improvements to its Northwest lift and introduces new community initiatives for the 2025-26 season, but questions remain about the true impact for skiers and riders.
Michael Fulton
Mount Ashland's Record-Breaking 2024-25 Ski Season
Mount Ashland Ski Area concludes its longest season in three decades, with impressive snowfall and attendance figures despite early challenges.
Michael Fulton
Mt. Hood Meadows Retires 55-Year-Old Blue Chairlift
Mt. Hood Meadows is bidding farewell to its iconic Blue Chair after 55 years of service. The resort is hosting a special event for skiers and riders to take their final rides before the chairlift's decommissioning this summer.
Michael Fulton
Tragic Accident Claims Young Snowboarder's Life at Mount Bachelor
A 13-year-old snowboarder from Washington lost his life in a collision with a tree at Mount Bachelor Ski Resort in Oregon, despite wearing a helmet.
Michael Fulton
Mt. Bachelor to Remain Under POWDR Ownership
POWDR has decided to keep Mt. Bachelor as part of its portfolio, ending speculation about a potential sale. The company plans to invest in upgrades and introduce new pass options for the Oregon ski resort.
Michael Fulton
Mt. Bachelor Opens Summit Chair Early: Record-Breaking Start to 2024-25 Season
Mt. Bachelor kicks off its 2024-25 season with milestone achievements, including the earliest Summit chairlift opening in over a decade. With 123 inches of snowfall already recorded and more storms approaching, the Oregon resort offers prime skiing conditions across its 2,800-acre terrain.
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Alps Snow Forecast: Up to 64 cm Headed for the High Glaciers as the Snow Line Drops
The Alps are about to swap mild, sunny October weather for something far more wintry. A cold front arrives Tuesday, and SnowStash forecasts have Monterosa Ski out in front with 64 cm over 14 days, ahead of Blatten Belalp (55 cm) and Verbier (43 cm). The snow line should fall below 2000 metres by Wednesday night, and glaciers across Switzerland, Italy and Austria are in line for the best of it. The wind will have a say too.
20 Oct 2026
Four Dead After Avalanche Near Ski Portillo in Chile
A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.
18 Oct 2026
Europe Ski Resorts Open Now: What Is Skiable in Mid-October 2026
Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.
14 Oct 2026
Zermatt Plans World Cup Downhill Return on the Gornergrat for 2028
Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.
14 Oct 2026
Mt. Rose Begins Snowmaking for the 2026-27 Season at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.
13 Oct 2026
Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More
Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.
13 Oct 2026
Mt Hutt Invests NZ$12 Million in Base Area, Tripling Its Sun Deck
Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.
11 Oct 2026
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
9 Oct 2026