Oregon Public Broadcasting

An Arctic cold front will bring a chance of lowland snow this weekend across much of the Northwest.  The front could also dump enough snow in the mountains to allow more ski areas to open.  Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

Ski season is starting late this year in the Northwest.  But finally, the weather forecast includes the much needed snow.

At Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor, marketing director Alex Kaufman is lookin’ at the latest opening in 13 years.

Alex Kaufman: “We need a foot and a half to get the natural trails open.  We have been making snow as well.  So anything over a foot – and if it’s heaver rather than dry -- that will help. That’ll get us in business.”

Kaufman says several hundred seasonal workers don’t get paid until the lifts crank up. 

Near Wenatchee, Washington, the Mission Ridge ski area has opened with a base composed entirely of machine-made snow.

Idaho’s Sun Valley is opening this week also thanks to extensive snowmaking.