Industry News
Hoodoo Ski Area has announced it will now suspend operations indefinitely, escalating an earlier plan to close for a single assessment day as warm temperatures and a critically thin snowpack continue to impact the mountain. The decision comes amid one of the most snow-starved winters the Pacific Northwest has seen in years.
Originally, Hoodoo planned to close on Wednesday, February 4, for a full assessment day to evaluate conditions and preserve what little snow remained. Forecasts calling for daytime highs above 50°F throughout much of the week raised concerns about accelerated snowmelt on an already fragile base. At the time, the resort expressed cautious optimism that shoveling and snow management efforts could allow limited operations to resume later in the week.
That optimism has since given way to a harder reality. In an updated statement shared by the resort, Hoodoo said crews have repeatedly surveyed the terrain over the past several days and determined that continued operations are no longer sustainable. Warm weather and extended sunshine have significantly degraded the snowpack, forcing the resort to halt operations entirely until meaningful snowfall returns.
“We have surveyed the terrain many times over the last few days and, sadly, have to make the call to close until Mother Nature blesses us with more snow,” the resort wrote on social media. “The warm weather and sunshine has taken a huge hit on the snowpack and, unfortunately, brought us to this point.”
Hoodoo said they remain hopeful that a forecasted pattern change next week could bring colder temperatures and new snowfall, allowing the ski area to reopen as soon as conditions safely permit. However, no reopening date has been set, and the closure is now considered indefinite.
Guests who purchased lift tickets for days the resort will be closed will have funds credited to their accounts for future use. Refunds will also be issued upon request. The resort thanked passholders and visitors for their patience and continued support during what it described as an exceptionally difficult season.
Earlier this winter, Hoodoo noted it had received meaningful snowfall only once all season, leaving what staff described as “early season conditions” even deep into winter. Overnight freezes briefly slowed melt, but the snowpack was repeatedly described as “hanging on by a thread.”
The closure places Hoodoo among a growing list of smaller ski areas across the West struggling to remain operational during prolonged snow drought conditions. Visitors are encouraged to monitor Hoodoo’s website and social channels for updates as weather patterns evolve.
For now, the lifts are stopped—waiting, like much of the region, on snow that has yet to arrive.
