DOWNHOME TOUR ROLLS ON IN OREGON - Glen and Kimberly Plake Ski Hood, Hoodoo and Sisters Wilderness

Words: Glen Plake

Why don't I carry a camera with me? We went for a nice hike this morning (Thursday, Dec 3) up Tumalo, a little nub across from Bachelor. And what a surprise? We got some great buckle-deep north snow.

With the Civil War being played, we decided to ski Bachelor another day, to get the ski legs going before heading to Hoodoo. I've never had the chance to ski the Sisters Mountains backcountry are, a beautiful set of peaks just north. With the high pressure, I was really wishing we could get out there for a day. Meeting Jimmy and Shannon while skiing at Mount Bachelor would open that door, as they operate a website http://www.skiingthebackcountry.com and were headed out in the morning, so we couldn't pass the opportunity. Plus, I got the new Dalbello Virus AT boot with me it would be a great way to show it off.

But first the infamous game. Cascade lakes Lodge would be the location. Pulling into the parking lot, a vinyl van passes by "Breedlove Guitars." I ponder a moment about the "blue flame,” the car Craig Breedlove drove 600 mph in and wonder the relation if any. A few minutes late,r the van is back and "Crazy Pete" invites us to a factory tour, which someday I would love to see. The guitars are works of art. I don't play but admiring the work, when Pete says ,"Here's a reason to start” and gives me a black/pearl model in return for some "inspiration" I have given him along the way. I try to refuse, but he insists so I graciously accept. Will start working on it, playing that is. Hey, Gary Bigham, is there room in the band? The meatloaf at Cascade is incredible. The place was perfect for the Civil War game. Sitting with some new friends and running into some old (as in from the very first DownHome tour 1991), we watched an incredible game 33/37 Ducks win. I had the right colors on thanks to Berg's ski shop and caught a little poop from some Beaver fans, but Kimberly was given an O State hat so we were okay. It was great to see the "big game" be just that and not the blow out. The state of Oregon’s college football fans are as passionate as it gets.



FRIDAY DEC 5
Jimmy and Shannon pick us up and we meet Zach and Nate, and do the several mile snomo tow into the Sisters area. South Sister is caped with clouds, so Broken Top is the destination. We have a great spring like day skiing all aspects and all snow types with a nice summit to enjoy the views of the Oregon mountains. Towards the end of the day, the lenticular clouds in the morning have made their way to the ground, our spring-like high pressure is been replaced with cold Northeast wind and it affects the coming days skiing in a big way.


It's always nice to run into people willing to share their resources to passing guests. The privilege to local knowhow, whether it be Chamonix/Sierra's or here, always makes the experience a little nicer, and I really wanna thank you guys for taking ,us along. I hope our tracks cross again somewhere and I can return the favor. Thanks Bend/Bachelor—you guys are great.



HOODOO SKI AREA
Whenever I said I was going to Hoodoo next everybody said, "You're gonna love it!" The DownHome tour has many facets and scenarios. If I had to show someone what the DownHome Tour is, Hoodoo would be a stop I would like to show them—local hill, great lodge, tons of skiing and families galore. They are RV friendly, so the parking lot scene is working too.

The Northeast winds are full on—temps don't rise to 20 today and will fall as the day goes on, stripping the snow to the hard pan but leaving some velvet ribbons that allow some "quiet" skiing. Along with some killer grooming, we rage all day. Skiing with Patrol (Tom) / ski school and their public all at once. We enjoy Hoodoo's diversity and day dream about being here on a powder day. It would be just that instead of the powder run that is replacing the "day" at so many other ski areas. The apres ski autograph session goes on for two and a half hours and we lock the lodge behind us. I've had the pleasure of being told I have affected peoples lives. Chuck the owner of Hoodoo, who has brought it to its recent state and his staff, are having an affect on all of Hoodoos skiers. Thank you for your visions and hospitality!



STOP #3, SUMMIT SKI AREA - GOVERNMENT CAMP, OR

Established in 1927 Summit is the second oldest ski area in the country, sitting at the end of Government Camp. It is a great source for first time/beginner skiers, not only for the terrain but the nostalgia. Small A-frame warming hut that "feels like skiing". Only open on the weekends, we take advantage on this Sunday morning and ski/ride with Summit staf—a mix of some Michigan transplants and some native Oregoners. The weather is in the teens and the wind is 60-plus mph. All resorts except Summit and Ski Bowl are down, so sliding along and turning back the clock a bit is the right choice today. These little areas that sit amongst the bigger hills are common throughout the country and sometimes we chuckle at the thought of skiing 'em. But introducing the sport to new skiers is an ever so important piece of the puzzle, and the people who run and work these hills like Summit—Charlie—often the "renegades" may in fact be the ones who have the most important thing on their minds—skiing, not amenities to distract you from it......! Thanks for the lift, Summit.



After the day at Summit, we head to Ski Bowl around 3 p.m. The other town ski area famous for its night skiing and also some great bowl skiing. I'd been told many times about the unfortunate winds are howling and we will not be skiing the upper bowls but spend the evening with patrol roaming around the lower mountain between stops into the classic mid-mountain cabin to warm up. It's a classic Northeast night—four degrees with wind chill of ??? Rock hard but not Northeast ice, cause we can stick our poles into it. Still every good skier knows that the snow has blown somewhere and we find some soft ribbons on the treelines side of ski bowls runs before calling it a night around 9 p.m. I'll definitely have to come back.