As a series of storms hammers the Pacific Northwest, the roads are rain soaked in the valleys… but at higher elevations it means a large healthy dose of snow.
The snow is piling up on surrounding mountains. For Mount Ashland Ski Resort, it’s good news…meaning an early open may be on it’s way. ‘Tis the season.’
“We came up here to get our Christmas tree,” says Tony Ronyak.
He and his family just moved here from Wisconsin. “We moved from Wisconsin for the weather, we love it,” he and his wife say with a chuckle.
Their trip up Mount Ashland, taking them on a trip down memory lane… since 7 this morning three inches of the white stuff has fallen on the hill.
“If we get another 15 to 20 inches we’re golden,” says Mount Ashland Ski Resort Director Kim Clark.
It’s great news for him. The resort doesn’t usually doesn’t open until December 10th and last year experienced it’s worst season in 20 years. “Any time we can open before that, that’s just gravy, and after last year we need some gravy,” Clark continues.
At the top, it’s hard to keep my lens clean. Within 20 seconds the snow fills the frame.
On Mount Ashland a winter wonderland is forming. You can tell snow is falling steadily and at the top winds are really picking up.
Gusty conditions with speeds up to 35 miles per hour. But that’s not a concern for Clark. He’s just crossing his fingers he’ll be able to make an announcement as early as this Saturday at their first employee orientation of the season. “You’ll see a lot of smiling faces up there on Saturday, with just the prospect of opening as early as next week.”
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