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