Replying to Free skiing at Meadows Tomorrow (saturday)

Free Skiing at Mt. Hood Meadows' Closing Tomorrow

Mt. Hood, OR (Friday, June 2, 2006) - Saturday will be the final day of the 2005-06 ski and snowboard season at Mt. Hood Meadows, and the Oregon resort is celebrating an epic season by offering free lift tickets. Lifts are scheduled to operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Resort general manager Dave Riley has bittersweet feelings about Saturday’s closing day. “This is a special season – you really hate to see it end. The season started early, way back on November 11th – almost seven months ago. Saturday will mark our 179th day of operation this season, making it one of the longest operating ski seasons on the planet.”

The resort set a record for attendance this season, surpassing the 500,000 skier visit mark for the first time in its 38 year-history – more than this year's attendance at such better-known ski resorts as Sun Valley (Idaho), Jackson Hole (Wyo.), Snowbird and Alta (both in Utah), and Aspen Mountain (Colo.).

It was also a substantial snow year – the resort received 649 inches of snow (over 54 feet), more than 50% above the ski area's annual average. More than six feet of snow still adorn the base area.

Hood River entertainer Moe Dixon will perform live Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., weather permitting. The free lift ticket can be picked up at the ticket window prior to boarding a lift on Saturday.