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About Sandy post. (Sandy, Oregon) 1938-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 1981)
Section II SANDY, OREGON. THURSDAY, JAN. 8. 1981 The Srfndy Post Area News People Home & Garden Features Snow drought dries up business on Mt. Hood by K A Y E BARTON BAKKE Post Correspondent Owners of businesses on Mt. Hood are “looking up” , both figuratively and literally, with determination and a touch of desperation. Like mid western farm ers who scan the skies for signs of moisture, tourist- dependent businesses on the mountain are looking for indications of snow. But optimism is the word. In the same breatli that they express anxiety, most of them predict that the situation is short-lived “The situation” is a three-week spell of record warm weather which has stopped snowfall and left ski slopes bare. The result, according to Rick Scott, manager of the Hoodland branch of the Clackamas County Bank, is that “business is almost at a standstill.” Scott said that many of his clients’ livelihoods depend upon wintertime business. “ My customers all are anxiously awaiting snowfall,” he said. Scott estimated that business for the ski resorts on Mt. Hood is “basically off 100 per cent except for Timberline, and they’re down 25 to 30 per cent from last year.” “The situation is not good,” he said. “The ski area has lost any opportunity to have an excellent season.” Scott said it would require heavy snowfall within the next couple of weeks to avoid a repeat of the — IN ENTERING WINTER RECREATION AREA PARKING PERMITS REOUIRED BEYOND THIS POINT drive up here. When there Is snow, they stay home.” Mike Copper, assistant manager of the Hoodland Thriftway at Welches, echoed Mezger's assessment. “For us, nice weather draws as many people as snow does,” he said, although he acknowledged that the absence of skiers had a “noticeable” effect on business. J.J. Fox, who operates a service station and towing service on Highway 26 near Alder Creek, told a different story. “ My business is certainly down,” he said. “ I’d say it’s down about one- third from last year.” Fox said his business is largely ....... ............ dependent on through traffic. “Since I’m right here on the highway, tourists make up most of my business, and Swiss restaurant in Welches, agreed. there’s a lot heavier through traffic in disastrous 1976-77 season on the “We have been busier than hell,” he the summer,” he said. mountain. said. “Business has been as good as last Scott pointed out that it is not only the “ In the winter, it’s good from one year or even better.” ski resorts which are affected by the hunting season to the next and in ski lack of snow. “TTie grocery stores, ski Mezger explained that the skiing season,” he continued. There is usually attire shops, equipment rental shops, trade is “really the icing on the cake” a maximum of one week to 10 days taverns and bars are all involved in for his business He said his clientele between peak periods. “ But this time, some way.” are primarily middle-aged Portland it’s been two or three weeks since I’ve But he pointed out that some been busy.” residents. businesses might benefit from the Verla Rogers, manager of the “My business is 75 per cent turn spring-like weather on the mountain. Wemme Branch of the U.S. National around from the greater metropolitan “ Restaurants always enjoy the lack of area — mostly people in their forties, Bank, pointed out that business snow,” he said. “TTieir patrons are able slowdowns touch every life within a fifties and sixties,” he said. to get out to them better when the community. “When they see there is no snow in weather is mild.” (Continued on Page 7) the foothills, they love to make the Kurt Mezger, owner of the Chalet The slope* of Government Camp usually are covered with snow In January, hut Summit Ues bare now (top). As the snow disappeared, so have the tourists who usually flock to the mountain in winter. Now, traffic Is rare on U.S. Highway 26 (far left). A more typical winter day In January, a Timberline class, was taken last year (le ft). Tim berline has remained open thanks to the year-round benefits of the P a lm e r chairlift. photos by Mark Floyd
