El Nino and a below average snowpack this year are affecting employment and operations at Central Oregon’s two ski areas: Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo.

Mt. Bachelor started off the season by delaying its Thanksgiving weekend opening until Dec. 2 due to a lack of snow and concerns for safety. While the mountain has been able to remain open, many skiers and snowboarders are dismayed by the icy, early season conditions, causing them to forego lessons and day passes.

This past week, Mt. Bachelor Ski and Ride School instructors received an email from management acknowledging employees are seeing reduced hours because ticket and lesson sales are consistently down this year.

“We truly wish we could have a magic wand so everyone can have all the hours they desire for the rest of the season. But with little snow in the forecast, sales will certainly be affected for the winter as a whole,” stated a letter signed by Josh Spoelstra, director of skier services, Lance Tamashiro, the ski school director, Chris Grosjean, programs manager, and Greg Dixon, training manager.

Mt. Bachelor declined to provide The Bulletin with information regarding ticket sales or employment.

“We balance our business based on demand and adjust employee scheduling as needed,” said Lauren Burke, Mt. Bachelor spokesperson, in response to The Bulletin’s questions.

“Our staffing plans and recruitment efforts are based on 30-plus years of business data and then are adjusted each season as needed. As a privately held company, we do not release information on ticket sales, skier visit numbers, or revenue.”

Meanwhile, Hoodoo Ski Area has yet to open its slopes, leaving the majority of its seasonal staff to stand by until the weather changes. The ski area also canceled its annual New Year’s Eve celebration due to lack of enough snow for operations. The last time Hoodoo’s opening day was delayed past Jan. 1 was in 2018, when the mountain did not get enough snow for recreation until Feb. 8.

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“It’s a 100% impact,” said Matthew McFarland, Hoodoo general manager. “There is no question that this is a major deal. We have 160 to 180 employees currently unemployed just waiting for snow. And there’s nothing we can do until Mother Nature decides it’s time for us to go to work.” The Bulletin reported last week that the snowpack at Santiam Junction, close to Hoodoo, is 21% of normal, but McFarland said his anecdotal estimation would be closer to 10%. Mt. Bachelor, which is at a higher elevation, has had more luck than other resorts in the Pacific Northwest with the snowpack at 60% of normal.

McFarland said there is some concern that furloughed employees hired in October will have to abandon Hoodoo in search of other employment. The same thing happened during a particularly lean season about 15 years ago, McFarland said, but he understands the position employees face.

“You’ve got to feed you and your family,” McFarland said.