Historic Oregon Ski Resort Closes Indefinitely as Climate Crisis Hits the Slopes

Historic Oregon Ski Resort Closes Indefinitely as Climate Crisis Hits the Slopes

Hoodoo Ski Area becomes latest casualty of the West's deepening snow drought, raising questions about the future of regional winter sports

Mount Washington, Oregon — After 87 years of operation on the slopes of the Cascade Range, Hoodoo Ski Area has announced it will suspend operations indefinitely, citing an ongoing snow drought that has made it impossible to maintain viable skiing conditions.

The closure marks a sobering milestone for Oregon's winter recreation industry and adds to growing concerns about climate change's impact on low- and mid-elevation ski resorts across the Western United States.

In a statement the resort said 'Hoodoo Ski Area will be suspending operations immediately until more snow falls. 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 warm weather and sunshine has taken a huge hit on the snowpack and, unfortunately, brought us to this point.

"We will open as soon as possible and are very optimistic about the change in the forecast next week bringing cold temps and (crossed fingers) lots of snow.

"If you have purchased a ticket for a day we’ll be closed, those fund will credited to your account to use on a future visit. We will, of course, give you a refund you, if you prefer. Thanks for your support and we are looking forward to seeing you back up here soon!"

The resort, located at the relatively modest base elevation of 4,668 feet on the western flank of the Cascades, has struggled through multiple challenging winters in recent years. This season proved to be the breaking point. By early February, when the mountain would typically boast a deep snowpack and dozens of open runs, Hoodoo had received less than 30% of its historical average snowfall.

The announcement reverberates beyond the ski area's 800 acres. Hoodoo employs approximately 350 seasonal workers and serves as an accessible, family-friendly alternative to larger Oregon resorts like Mount Bachelor and Mount Hood Meadows. For many families in the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, Hoodoo represented an affordable entry point into winter sports.

The closure fits into a troubling pattern across the West. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 2024-2025 winter season has brought record-low snowpack levels to much of the Cascade Range and Sierra Nevada. Several smaller ski areas in California and Washington have also announced extended closures or severely limited operations this season.

Climate scientists have long predicted that lower-elevation ski resorts would face existential threats as warming temperatures push the reliable snow line higher into the mountains. Dr. Jennifer Morse, a climatologist at Oregon State University who studies snowpack trends, says Hoodoo's situation exemplifies these projections becoming reality.

"What we're seeing is not just a bad snow year—it's part of a long-term trend," Morse explained. "Resorts below 5,000 feet are increasingly vulnerable. Even artificial snowmaking becomes difficult when temperatures are too warm."

Hoodoo had invested in snowmaking infrastructure in recent years, but the equipment requires sustained cold temperatures to be effective. Unseasonably warm conditions this winter often pushed daytime temperatures above freezing even at the summit, making snowmaking impossible during critical operational windows.

The economic impact extends throughout the small communities surrounding the Santiam Pass. Local businesses that depend on winter tourism—gas stations, restaurants, equipment rental shops—are bracing for significant losses. The town of Sisters, located 20 miles northwest of Hoodoo, estimates that ski area visitors contribute over $8 million annually to the local economy.

Resort officials emphasized that the closure is indefinite rather than permanent, leaving open the possibility of resumption if conditions improve. However, they acknowledged that the decision also prompts difficult questions about long-term viability.

"We're using this time to reassess what the future might look like," Drake said. "That could mean different operational models, different seasons, or different uses for the mountain. We don't have those answers yet."

Some industry observers suggest that Hoodoo and similar resorts might need to pivot toward three-season recreation models, emphasizing summer and fall mountain biking, hiking, and events rather than relying primarily on winter operations.

For now, the mountain sits quiet. Chairlifts hang motionless above brown slopes dotted with patches of stubborn snow. The lodge, which would normally echo with the sounds of families warming up between runs, remains dark.

As climate patterns continue to shift, Hoodoo's closure may represent an early warning for the broader ski industry. Larger, higher-elevation resorts have thus far proven more resilient, but industry analysts suggest that even major destinations will need to adapt to shorter seasons and more variable conditions.

"This is our new reality," said Morse. "Communities that depend on winter recreation need to start planning for a future that looks very different from the past."

For the generations of Oregonians who learned to love winter on Hoodoo's slopes, that future has already arrived—and it's arriving without snow.