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A skier, dressed in white, all but disappears in some fresh powder at the Willamette Pass Ski area. photo credit Chad Sageser
By BEN OLSON/for The Herald — There is much excitement among winter enthusiasts about the changes to Willamette Pass Resort. The ski resort is located 25 miles east of Oakridge on Highway 58. The ski area was able to open up 2 weeks earlier than their planned season opening. This was due to heavy snows in late November. Snow conditions have been very good for skiers and boarders. All the lifts are open and all the groom-able terrain is in peak season form.
Willamette Pass is one of the lesser known winter gems. However, it offers surprising opportunities to those who find it. photo credit Cody Leish
For several seasons, the ski area and its amenities were affected by Covid protocols. However, things seem to be back to normal. If the early season crowds are an indication, skiers are gung-ho to get back to the slopes.
Willamette Pass has a long heritage
Willamette Pass was first opened in 1941, making it one of the oldest ski areas in the country. Here in Oregon, only Mt. Hood has been open longer. Skiers were conveyed to the summit for the first 40 years by T-bars and rope tows. When the Wiper family of Eugene bought the ski area in 1982, they installed the first chairlift. They have been operating the ski area ever since then.
This year, the Wiper family has entered into a partnership with management company Mountain Capital Partners. Mountain Capital also operate seven other ski areas in the western U.S. Some changes have taken place that will ensure that skiers will have the optimal winter sports experience.
The high speed chairlift get skiers to the top of the mountain at Willamette Pass. Quicker rides means more time on the snow. photo credit Cody Leish
Old mountain, new amenities
Resort owner, Tim Wiper, put out a press release just before the December 2 opening. He said “We are eager to welcome guests to experience the exciting and ongoing changes at Willamette Pass Resort.” Wiper explained that guests will notice several improvements right away, including direct-to-lift access for lift tickets and season pass holders. Additional changes include demand-based pricing on daily lift tickets with prices as low as $9 on select days.
The online rental process has been improved and there is new equipment in the rental shop. The conditions report will be updated daily on willamettepass.com.
Customers 13 years of age to 74 can realize savings through the variable pricing offerings. Moreover, kids 12 and under ski free with the Power Kids Pass and seniors 75 and older will be skiing free with the Super Seniors season pass.
Season ticket holders also get free skiing at the other resorts managed by Mountain Capital Partners. They include Nordic Mountain and Brian Head in Utah, Purgatory Resort and Hesperus Ski Area in Colorado, Pajarito Mountain and Sipapu in New Mexico and the Arizona Snow Bowl.
Willamette Pass by the numbers
Great views of Diamond Peak are available from the top of the mountain at Willamette Pass. photo credit Rachel Canada
Willamette Pass is serviced by 5 chairlifts, including the longest and fastest one in Oregon. There are 29 runs on the 555 acres of lift-serviced terrain and a vertical drop of 1563 feet from the top to the base. The mountain receives an average of 430 inches of snow per year. In addition to the downhill skiing, there are 20 kilometers of groomed cross country ski trails.
If you’re not a skier or snowboarder, but would like to be, there is a ski school where you can learn all the necessary skills to have fun on the slopes. Willamette Pass employs 70 people, many who make the commute from Oakridge, Crescent Lake, LaPine and Chemult, the nearest communities.
As a skier and a snowboarder, I appreciate having a top-notch ski area only 25 miles up the road from my home in Oakridge. For more information on Willamette Pass Resort, visit their website willamettepass.com.
Early morning at Willamette Pass. Once you’ve found it, you’ll be spoiled by its amenities and friendly, helpful staff. photo credit Cody Leish
Ben Olson, musician and Oakridge Resident, with his standup bass. Ben is a regular contributor, as well as the Entertainment Report’s columnist. Ben Olson photo
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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