Central Oregonians have one more option for skiing this holiday season. Hoodoo Ski Area on the Santiam Pass opened Sunday.

The ski resort, the closest place for locals to enjoy night skiing, reported a base of 31 inches of snow on Monday afternoon. Four lifts were expected to be open, with the Hodag lift waiting for more snow.

The Sunday opening was late for the resort.

”Usually, we’re open by mid-December,” said Pam DeMarsh, marketing director.

DeMarsh said the decision to open Sunday was made at the last minute, after a weekend storm dumped 14 inches on the butte. Still, the resort had a busy opening day. With more snow forecast for the mountains through the week, the outlook is good for the resort, located 20 miles west of Sisters off Highway 20.

That’s good news for Mount Bachelor, as well. On Monday, the resort reported a base of 50 inches.

This year marks the 65th year of winter recreation on Hoodoo Butte. The resort is celebrating with the opening of a new 60,000 square-foot lodge, complete with seating for more than 1,000 people, a cafeteria, a bar, a fireplace lounge, locker rooms and a day care center. Hoodoo also debuts two high-speed quad chairlifts this year.

Hoodoo will be open Christmas Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Night skiing will be available until 9 p.m. through most of the rest of the holiday break, from Dec. 26 – Dec. 28; Dec. 30-31 and Jan. 2-4. On New Year’s Eve, the resort will be open until midnight for its annual night skiing bash.

Mid-week lift tickets at Hoodoo cost $29 for adults; $22 for children ages 6 to 11 and seniors and $26 for students. On Thursday, however, peak prices take effect. They are $35 for adults, $26 for children, $35 for students and $26 for seniors.

Mount Bachelor will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the holidays. Holiday lift tickets through Jan. 5 cost $47 for adults; $28 for children ages 6 to 12; $39 for teens and $39 for seniors. Seniors ages 70 or older are free.

Rebecca Merritt can be reached at 541-383-0348 or rmerritt@bendbulletin.com.