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About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2009)
8 Features December Winter's early arrival breathes life into ski resorts D rake E dwards ______________ It's that time of year again, temperatures start to drop, and the rain moves in. This could only mean one thing. The first winter flakes of snow are beginning to fall on the barren slopes of Mt. Hood, changing it from a rocky wasteland, to a beautiful blank canvas of new fallen, untouched snow. For those who have been itching to ski or snowboard since May, this is like their birthday come early, causing people to flock to their favorite resort. But for those of who have perhaps just started to ski or snowboard, or haven't done so on Mt. Hood yet, the resort options can be a little overwhelming, so here is a beginners guide to all of Mt. Hood's resorts. Mt. Hood Meadows: Known for its varied terrain and very high average snow pack, Meadows proves to be a great resort for all types of skiers and snowboarders. There are plenty of basic runs, as well as double black diamonds. Meadows has a reputable ski and snowboard school, giving lessons every day of the week. For those who don't have skis or snowboards, Meadows has gear for rent. Another great thing about Meadows is night skiing. After dark, Meadows opens one half of the mountain, still having as much run variety as a normal day. Also, for the thrill seekers, most of their terrain parks are still open under the lights, as well as the 22-foot tall, 500 foot long superpipe. Even though lessons don't run during the night hours, rentals do. Mt. Hood Skibowl: Being the largest night skiing area in the U.S., it attracts many after work skiers and snowboarders. The lifts run until 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on weekends, making it a perfect getaway from the urban jungle. Skibowl isn't a night only resort, it still serves up some of the best powder in the state with an outer chairlift that supplies fresh untracked goodness. Though some of the runs can be very difficult, a vast majority of them are beginner friendly. Skibowl is also a great place to learn to ski or snowboard. With a very extensive rental program and great runs for beginners, it's a perfect combination. Skibowl has all day lift tickets for $44, sharing the cheapest lift tickets on Mt. Hood with Timberline. Timberline: Founded in 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Timberline lodge was built as a work project during the Great Depression. For 73 years, Timberline has been one of the iconic ski resorts in the United States. Accompanied by a beautiful array of trees and long winding runs, Timberline is a great place to take in all of nature's beauty while getting down to some good skiing. For those who like to ride terrain parks, Timberline has been a leader, boasting some of the first ever ski and snowboard jumps. It also supplies some of the biggest and most advanced parks on Mt. Hood, so if airtime sounds appealing, try Timberline. For those who are just fine keeping their feet on the ground, Timberline has great runs for beginners, as well as a very short bunny hill. Timberline, like the rest of the resorts on Mt. Hood, has a great rental program as well. Another plus is Bruno, the resort's mascot, who can be commonly seen running around the beginner lift. Mt. Hood is known as one of the premier ski and snowboard destinations in the country, and with three great resorts, the possibilities for fun are endless. Whether it be night skiing, beautiful scenery or a place to learn, Mt. Hood has it all. Holiday spirit is here; there's tons of fun for all to share G unnar W olfe _______________ After a long year of waiting, it is once again the time to venture into the cold, snowy w eather and enjoy the smell of fresh cut pine. The city of Portland has turned into a winter wonderland, filled with holiday lights and decorations and performances. RUGBY Some of the many attractions include popular live performances such as Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and E.T.A. Hoffm ann’s "The «• Nutcracker. "Attracting thousands of Oregonians each year, they are timeless, world-renowned works of art. They can be seen at Portland Center Stage and Keller Auditorium, respectively. Check www.pcpa.com for a complete calendar of times, dates and locations. If you would rather see a spectacular display of hundreds of fascinating animals and beautiful lighting, the Zoolights are a family friendly attraction. During the holidays, the Oregon Zoo becom es a magical wonderland^ filled with colorful lights and decorations. Zoolights will be open through Jan. 3, from 5-8 p.m. every night at the Oregon Zoo. General admission is $9. The Portland Christmas Ship Parade features as many as 60 boats every night from Dec. 9 to Dec. 20. The uniquely lit and Join the fastest growing sport in America! W inter o p e n -h o u se w orkouts will con tin u e through Ja n u ary! C o m e give a no-tackle v ersion of the sp o rt a try, no o b lig atio n s or exp erien ce n e ce ssa ry ! I January 5 ,7 ,1 2 ,1 4 6-7:30 p.m. State champs '02-'08 Top 8 USA '05-'09 v •V T *. '.wnkr* • r-' '¿IH VW'<> $ 1 ♦ more am '^ y€ 4 - I Photo from wiki.worldflicks.org One of m any local h olid ay attractions is the Oregon Zoo Lights. There are more than 200 anim ated anim als including swinging monkeys, leaping frogs, flying bats, diving penguins and a light sculpture featuring a dozen animals. decorated boats travel back and forth on the Columbia and Willamette rivers. The parade is free of charge, and specific locations and times can be found at their website, www.christmasships.org. An outdoor event with a lighted display of gorgeous botanical gardens is The Grotto Christmas Festival ' of Lights. The Grotto, is a 62-acre Catholic shrine and garden features music and other attractions. The Symphonic Band and Jazz Choir performed at this event on Dec. 10, but it runs every night through Dec. 30 from 5-9 p.m. General adm ission is $7.50. If you'd rather stay out of the cold, the Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway is a fun event. Drive around the racetrack and see the magical Christmas lighting and decorations. The wonderland is open from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday," and will run through Dec. 27. The cost is $16 per carload. These are just a few of the local holiday attractions available in the Portland area. M ake your holidays a magical time by finding a special way to enjoy the season.
