The shift from early December snows and cold weather to higher-than-average temperatures has shut off the snow as Central Oregon heads into what’s typically one of the busiest weeks of the year for outdoor winter recreation.

Mt. Bachelor spokesman Andy Goggins said the snow depth at the ski area’s base is stuck at 28 inches with no additional snow in the forecast.

Goggins said the snow that has fallen has firmed up nicely, and in places has been supplemented with man-made snow. Mt. Bachelor plans to open the Outback lift on Saturday for the first time this season, though the Summit and Northwest Express lifts will remain closed.

“If we can’t have the snow, the sunshine is kind of the next best, so it’s good to see sunny skies in the forecast,” Goggins said.

Forecasts from the National Weather Service in Pendleton suggest clear skies and warmer weather will persisting for at least another week.

Recreation at lower-elevation locations has suffered due to lack of snow as well. Ski and snowshoe trails at Swampy Lakes Sno-park are in many places obstructed by fallen trees, as are snowmobile trails in the area of Edison Sno-park.

Meissner Nordic, the nonprofit that maintains cross-country ski trails at Virginia Meissner Sno-park, suspended grooming last weekend due to lack of snow.

The group’s most current conditions report, posted online Sunday, described ice, rain and rock and tree debris on the trails.

Suspended grooming has idled the group’s new snowcat, purchased this year to replace a 20-year-old machine.

While Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline are open, lower-elevation resorts like Hoodoo, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl and Willamette Pass have not yet turned on the lifts this season.

Hoodoo recently announced the cancellation of its annual New Year’s Eve celebration, while Mt. Hood Ski Bowl has only opened its tubing hill and a terrain park served by a rope tow.

Goggins said it’s still early in the winter, with the region’s biggest storms most commonly arriving in January, February and March.

“It’s part of the fun of being in a business reliant on Mother Nature — we kind of take it as it comes,” he said.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387, shammers@bendbulletin.com