11/25/10 Bulletin Board

TENNIS: A new four-week session of junior tennis classes for kids ages 4 to 17 begins Monday at the Yakima Tennis Club’s indoor facility, 2505 Fruitvale Blvd. The classes are for beginners through advanced, and the schedules range from one to three days per week. Registration is in person at the facility.

For more information go online at www.yakimatennis.com.

11/25/10 Valley Sports Weekly

Golf

Mount Adams

MEN’S DIVISION

Bestball, Nov. 18

Gross: 1, Mike & John VanWingerden 70; 2, Aaron Louis-Turk Holford 73. Net: 1, Tye Barrett-Aaron Louis 63; 2, (tie) Aaron Louis-Trik Holford 64, Joe Hoptowit-Turk Holford 64; 4, (tie) Monty Carl-Ron Smith 65, Gary Hyatt-Keith Fowler 65.

Pool

Upper Valley

MIXED DOUBLES LEAGUE

Standings, Nov. 22

Cueball: T&T Lounge 2 137, Little Dutch 1 119, West Valley 1 109, Michaels 108, Ranch 1 101, Little Dutch 6 91, Little Dutch 4 65, Ranch 2 30.

Miscue: Little Dutch 3 104, Ranch 5 101, T&T Lounge 1 93, Brews n Cues 2 81, Little Dutch 7 77, Ranch 4 72, Susies 57.

8-Ball: Ranch 6 105, Brews n Cues 1 103, Little Dutch 2 90, Little Dutch 5 79, Ranch 3 79, West Valley 2 78, T&T Lounge 3 51.

Table Runs: Rich Fearr, Tori VanHorn, Willie Tomma, Andrea George.

Eight Ball Breaks: Scott Carlson, Mary Taylor.

Moving experinces; Benedict, Zamberlin

Back, finally, after taking some vacation days last week for one of my least favorite activities — moving.
Moved from one house on Naches Heights to another, the new one about four miles closer to work but still in the community I grew up in. My family lived at several different locations during my youth, and we lived in the house I just moved out of from 1963-68 and the one I just moved into from 1968-73.
In the corner of the living room, where my fat-screen, low-definition TV is sitting, an old black-and-white Motorola showed my father and I the Immaculate Reception — Franco Harris’ miracle game-winning touchdown against the Oakland Raiders — live on Dec. 23, 1972. I was a junior then at Central Washington and was home for Christmas break.
Lots of flashbacks.

And speaking of flashbacks, what an exhilarating experience seeing and interviewing Dave Benedict last Saturday night was.
Dave was one of the most graceful athletes I’ve ever seen, and that includes lots of hoopsters wearing NBA uniforms I saw in person from 1974-97.
I’d never met Dave until March of 1998 when Dean Nicholson concluded his coaching career with Yakima Valley Community College at the NWAACC Tournament, held that year at Big Bend in Moses Lake.
Benedict came for Dean’s finale, as did Wayne Worby and others. It was as much fun talking to Dave as it was watching him play.
And that’s saying something.

Knowing both Beau Baldwin and John Zamberlin, I figured there would be an emotional midfield meeting after last Saturday’s Idaho State-Eastern Washington game in Cheney.
While Baldwin’s Eagles were securing a share of the Big Sky Conference title with a 34-7 win, Zamberlin’s Bengals were concluding a 1-10 year in his fourth and final season as their coach. His firing had been announced days earlier.
Baldwin of course had been a Zamberlin assistant before moving to Eastern as Paul Wulff’s offensive coordinator, then returning to Central in 2007 to succeed Zamberlin.
On Saturday, Steve Bergum of The Spokesman Review in Spokane quoted Baldwin thus:
“I told him (Zamberlin) I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for John Zamberlin, and I’ve always felt that way. John Zamberlin has done so much for me, and this hurts, because I know how great a coach he is.
“So I still have a lot of friends on his (ISU) staff, so this is hard. It hurts. … I know all of those guys are competitors, and they’ll be successful again somewhere. But at the same time, it’s never easy seeing things not going well for one of your best buddies.”
Someone somewhere will soon get an exceptional coach, either as the head man or an assistant, and they’ll get an outstanding person because they don’t come any better than John Zamberlin.
Or Beau Baldwin.

FROM THE QUOTE FILE

“The first thing we had to get straight was who was going to coach the team.”

Dean Nicholson, when asked what he remembered about coaching Dave Benedict

Growth potential realized at White Pass

WHITE PASS, Wash. — The Paradise Basin expansion spent decades as a dream of White Pass ski area management, took three rounds of courtroom battles to secure and two years and $8.5 million to turn into reality.

Now the resort’s 2010-11 season is poised to begin with the next significant snowfall — probably not this weekend, though with the promising mountain weather, you can bet the resort’s website (www.skiwhitepass.com) will be getting lots of traffic over the next couple of days.

Those thousands of downhill skiers and snowboarders are anxious to check the 13 new runs Chris Talbot already knows by heart — every fall line, turn, tree, roll and bench on every run.

“Whenever people ask, I tell them it’s going to be great — beautiful views, nice, open skiing and some great runs,” said Talbot, who heads the White Pass Ski Patrol. “I’d say it was worth the wait.”

Virtually all of the Paradise Basin runs will be blue-square, “intermediate” skiing, with just one long green (easy) run and nothing difficult enough to earn black-diamond status alongside traditional White Pass nerve-testers like Mach V, Hourglass and Execution.

But Talbot expects the newness of the Basin expansion to make it a huge draw, especially during the first part of the season — which means those three new acres of parking will come in handy, even if you won’t be able to tell it by looking at the slopes in the main area.

“I’m kind of envisioning some tumbleweeds blowing by (in the base area) during the week, kind of a ghost-town type of thing, while people check out the new runs,” he cracked. “But it’s hard to say. Most of the expert terrain is still in the main area.”

******
Creating the new runs

Talbot has been skiing the new runs for several years already, since those runs were merely GPS points on a grid, “a ski run here might work” suggestions in a downhill forest. SE Group, a mountain resort planning firm with offices in Bellevue, Vermont, Colorado and Utah, designed the basic layout, and Talbot fine-tuned each run’s location by skiing each one numerous times — even before the trees were removed.

“I was basically given a map with a set of GPS points that were guidelines to follow for the runs,” said Talbot, who has been skiing for 35 of his 38 years and been on the resort’s ski patrol for 13 years. “I’d go out during winter and mark the GPS lines with flags. They weren’t always on the best slope or fall line, so we moved them here or there to get the best line.”

The trees would come out a bit at a time — just a thin line at first, right down the center of where each run was expected to run. “I would end up skiing down the run and skiing back up probably five to six times before I was satisfied with the line.”

Sometimes, though, those run repititions would convince Talbot that the best line was a few feet to one side or the other, and the ensuing round of logging would reflect that new and improved route. “And, of course,” he said, “after you start to cut it, when it’s open — when the trees are out of the way and you can actually see down the thing — it gets pretty easy to see where the best lines are.”

All skiers and snowboarders exploring the Basin Expansion will start with the fixed-grip Basin Quad, which is reached by an easy access trail from the Pigtail Peak, the terminus of White Pass’ Great White Express and Chair 2. The Basin Quad serves four comparatively short runs, one of which — Trail 4 — passes the new High Camp day lodge and continues on to Trail 6, to the bottom of the Couloir Express quad lift.

Skiers and snowboarders taking the Couloir Express will reach the highest point at the resort —  6,500 feet elevation, some 500 feet higher than the top of the Great White Express on Pigtail Peak. From there, skiers can access five somewhat longer runs, a couple of which Talbot believes could become among the most popular trails at White Pass. They’ll also, at the top of the Express, have an unfettered view of the Goat Rocks Wilderness and beyond to Mount Adams — as well as a look into the enticing slopes beyond leading down to Miriam Lake.

******
Backcountry concerns

All those untracked white slopes might prove too alluring to a lot of skiers and snowboarders — but could end up becoming a nightmare for them.

Those who head over the back side might find beautiful, unmarked powder, but they also have no choice but to hike back up. It’s one thing for cross-country skiers to ski on those back-side slopes, because the “skins” on their skis make the return that much easier. Snowboarders and downhillers don’t have that luxury.

Plus, it’s easy to get disoriented away from the ski trails.

“That’s how most folks get lost out there: They think they’re going west, but they’re going east,” Talbot said. “There are lots of opportunities within the (resort), without hiking out of bounds, to ski some great pitches, some steep tree skiing, on the western ridge. However, if you do go over the ridge, I’ll see you at the Blue Spruce (Saloon and Diner) in Packwood in about four days, if you go the wrong way.”

White Pass officials have similar concerns about guests leaving the area below the Basin Expansion and following what local backcountry skiers refer to as the Gully, leading down to Knuppenburg Lake. Both the Gully and the back-side slopes leading down to Miriam Lake are avalanche-prone, and White Pass crews do no avalanche control outside the ski area itself.

Not only that, out-of-bounds skiers and snowboarders who get into trouble can expect to pay for any help they need — something clearly explained on the very large warning signs posted at the four areas most likely to have out-of-bounds explorers. (Those areas: atop the Basin Quad and Couloir Express lifts, the bottom of the Basin Quad and at the end of the west ridge.)

“If you get hurt or lost outside the boundary, it’s $500 to start a rescue and then the cost of the rescue thereafter,” Talbot said. “So, for example, if I eat a Big Mac out there, you’re buying.”

Charging out-of-boundary skiers is becoming more common in the industry, with the Mount Baker, Stevens Pass and Alpental all charging skiers for backcountry rescue efforts. (Mount Baker’s policy, while warning that backcountry rescue “may not be possible,” says its $500 minimum fee will be assessed to either “you or your heirs.”

******
Will runs be tough enough?

Many cross-country ski enthusiasts who have for many years skied the area they called “the Hogback” prior to its becoming part of the White Pass ski area have voiced concerns over whether the new runs would offer enough difficult skiing to satisfy downhillers.

“They’re going to be quite intermediate,” said Saundi McPhee, who chairs the Cascadian outdoor-recreation club’s cross-country ski committee. “If you come down  (the expansion slopes) on telemark skis, towards the bottom — unless the snow conditions are really good — you pretty much have to walk out. That’s been the word for a long time, that some people will be disappointed.

“On the other hand, maybe that (easy-to-intermediate level) is a lot of their skiers. Maybe that’s really their skier base.”

Talbot said intermediate-level skiers are the meat of the entire ski industry.

“About 85 percent of the public are intermediate, so that’s a big chunk,” he said. “Besides, it’s the snow conditions a lot of times that dictate the type of runs you’ll want to ski. The steep runs, the expert terrain, that isn’t good every day. It gets bumped out. For the most part, there’s no grooming on the expert runs — they’re too steep. So they get very mogully, and if it rains there’s a crust on (the steeper, ungroomed slopes), and a lot of people don’t want to ski on that.”

This much is certain: When White Pass does finally turn on the lifts — a day after their special “First Tracks for Charity” event — a lot of people will immediately head from Raven’s Haven down the access trail to the Basin Quad to see the new terrain. For others, that interest in the expansion runs may leave the traditional runs attractively unpopulated.

“There will be some decisions to be made,” Talbot said. “Everybody wants to get fresh tracks.”

The expansion runs at White Pass

Basin Quad trails

What they’ll be like: “Those are all very similar to the Bird Runs in steepness, pitch and length,” says ski patrol director Chris Talbot. The Bird Runs are the four intermediate trails (Grouse, Ptarmigan, Paradise and Quail) accessed by Chair 4.

Longest run: Rib Eye, which runs from the Basin Quad terminus to the base of the lift. Tree Hugger and Trails 2 and 4 all empty onto Trail 5, a long, green-level (easy) run that goes from the top of Couloir Express all the way across the Paradise Basin and down to the bottom of the Basin Quad.

“Concept” run: Tree Hugger, on which expansion crews have left all the big trees so that it “looks like a city park” and gives you “kind of a backcountry feel,” says Talbot, but is still easy enough even for intermediate skiers.

*******

The new expansion area of the White Pass ski area (Courtesy of White Pass Ski Area) CLICK TO ENLARGE

Couloir Express trails

What they’ll be like: “That will be a lot like the Cascade Run (in the main area) — similar pitch, steeper in spots,” Talbot says. “The beauty of these runs is there’s no cat-track in the middle. The Couloir Express gives you the opportunity for a long, fall-line run, over very rolling terrain with some natural halfpipes in there — and no break from top to bottom, 900 vertical feet. The chair line is about 4,000 feet long, so you’re skiing almost a mile with no break — unless you want to take one.”

The one to check out: No. 9 may become the most popular trail on the mountain, with a long run that’s got a more consistently steeper slope than No. 10, which has a nice bowl at the top end but offers a few more semi-level “benches” along the route than No. 9.

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Nameless trails … so far

What’s in a name? Most of the expansion trails have yet to be named and are, for now, just numbers. White Pass will be taking suggestions from guests throughout this winter in hopes of having names in place for the 2011-12 season.

And the first winner is … White Pass allowed Yakima Downtown Rotary to auction off the right to name Trail 8, with the proceeds to benefit Rotary charities. The winning bid came from a Yakima family with two daughters, Kathryn and Emily, whose enthusiasm for skiing will now be forever reflected in the name by which that run will forever be known: K and Emz.

Northwest ski area guide

WASHINGTON

White Pass

Where: 50 miles west of Yakima on Highway 12.

Elevation: 4,500-6,500 feet.

Lifts: Eight — two express quads, one fixed quad, triple chair, two double chairs, two surface lifts (percentages — beginner 30, intermediate 50, advanced 20).

Lift prices: Monday-Friday — $52 all-day adult ($35 junior/senior), half-day (12:30-4 p.m.) $38 and $25. Weekends and holidays — $57 all-day adult ($37 junior/senior); half-day $43 and $30. Nordic — $13.

Operating hours: Daily 8:45 a.m.-4 p.m.; night skiing until 9 p.m. nightly Dec. 26-Jan. 1 and Saturdays and holidays only from Jan. 8 through March 5.

What’s new: Oh, nothing much — only the 767 new acres, the two new quad lifts, the 11 new ski trails and the new High Camp Lodge, all part of the new Basin Expansion.

Rental shop/Child care: 509-672-3106.

Mountain information: 509-672-3101.

Snow phone: 509-672-3100.

Web site: www.skiwhitepass.com

Status: May still be one good snowstorm from opening … and that could still happen this week.

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The Summit-at-Snoqualmie

Where: Snoqualmie Pass.

Elevation: Alpental at the Summit, 3,140-5,450 feet; Summit Central, 2,840-3,865 feet; Summit West, 3,000-3,765; Summit East, 2,620-3,745 feet.

Lifts: 25 — Alpental, one high-speed quad, three double chairs, one surface lift. Summit East, one triple chair, one double chair. Summit Central, two high-speed quads, one triple chair, four double chairs, three surface lifts. Summit West, two quad lifts, two triple chairs, two double chairs, two surface lifts. (percentages — beginner 14, intermediate 45, advanced 41).

Lift prices: $58 all-day adult, $39 youth (ages 7-12) and senior (62-plus). All day is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 1-to-5 p.m. prices are $50 and $37, 4-10 p.m. $39 and $33, or 9 a.m.-10 p.m. is $62 and $43.

What’s new: Summit East is reopening for the first time since a January 2009 landslide took out much of the area. The Hidden Valley chairlift installed on East’s back side will open up 65 acres of terrain that hasn’t been accessible for two decades.

Operating hours: Alpental: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Summit Central and Summit West: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summit East: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 4-10 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. Nordic Center 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Tubing Center 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday).

Child care: Ages 6 months to 6 years; call 425-434-7669 Ext. 6520.

Mountain information: 877-881-2447.

Snow phone: 206-236-1600.

Web site: www.summit-at-snoqualmie.com

Status: No opening date set.

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Crystal Mountain

Where: East of Enumclaw off Highway 410 near Mount Rainier.

Elevation: 4,400-7,012 feet.

Lifts: 11 — two high-speed six-passenger lifts, two high-speed quads, two triple chairs, four double chairs, one surface tow (percentages — beginner 11,

intermediate 54, advanced 35).

Lift prices: Daily, all-day adult, $65, $60 youth (11-17), $40 senior (70 and up), $30 junior (7-10). Note: These prices are for your first single-day lift ticket, when each guest receives a “Go Card,” which can be re-loaded online at $5 less than these listed prices for the next visit, when the guest can then go direct to the lift.

Operating hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

What’s new: This year’s construction of the Mount Rainier gondola is the big addition; it travels up Exterminator to the top of the Rainier Express chairlift, turning Crystal Mountain to become a year-round resort that can cater to foot passengers who can ride it up to access the Mount Rainier views and dine at the Summit House. For skiers/snowboarders, adding the gondola will mean an additional $8 on their daily ski-lift ticket.

Child care: Not available, though Kids Club daily lessons are available for ages 4-10.

Mountain information: 800-277-6475.

Snow phone: 888-754-6199.

Web site: www.skicrystal.com

Status: Opened last Friday in limited operation.

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Stevens Pass

Where: Overlooking Highway 2 between Leavenworth and Skykomish.

Elevation: 3,821-5,845 feet.

Lifts: 13 — two high-speed quads, one fixed quad, five triple-chairs, two double-chairs, three surface lifts (percentages — beginner 11, intermediate 54, advanced 35).

Lift prices: $60 all-day adult, $40 youth (7-12) and senior (62-69). Renewing passes online through Stevens Pass’ online “daily ticket reload” program allows guests to avoid lift lines and go straight to the lifts.

Operating hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Monday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday. (Six lifts are lighted for night skiing.)

What’s new: Something worth noting is that at Stevens, the cost of of an adult lift ticket actually went down by $3, a comparatively remarkable development. And the price of the “Advantage Pass” — which covers your first lift ticket and then discounts of $7 (weekend) or $12 (weekday) off subsequent visits — went down a whopping $20, from $89 to $69. The Advantage is for people who aren’t sure they’ll ski enough to warrant a season pass, but want to save money if they expect to hit the slopes even three times.

Child care: for ages 3 to 12 years.

Mountain information: 206-812-4510.

Snow Phone: 509-782-5516.

Web site: www.stevenspass.com

Status: No opening date set.

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Mission Ridge

Where: Overlooking Wenatchee

Elevation: 4,570-6,820 feet.

Lifts: Six — one high-speed quad, three double-chairs, two rope tows.(percentages — beginner 10, intermediate 60, advanced 30).

Lift prices: $50 all-day adult (ages 18-61), $44 young adult (13-17) $32 youth (7-12), $32 seniors (62 and up).

Operating hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, except daily Dec. 19-Jan. 5. Night skiing 4-9 p.m. on Saturdays beginning Dec. 26. Peak-season prices (essentially Christmas break and holiday weekends) are $2 to $4 more.

What’s new: Like Stevens Pass, Mission Ridge has cut the price of lift tickets.

Child care: 3 months to 6 years, daily 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 509-663-6543 ext. 248, or 888-757-4343.

Mountain information: 509-663-6543.

Snow phone: 509-663-3200.

Web site: www.missionridge.com

Status: Plans to open Friday in limited operations.

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Mount Spokane

Where: On Washington State Parks lands 30 miles northeast of Spokane.

Elevation: 4,200-5,889 feet.

Lifts: Five double chairs (percentages — beginner 23, intermediate 32, advanced 45).

Lift prices: Full-day weekends and holidays — $45 adult, $38 college/military, $35 youth (7-17). Full-day midweek/non-holiday $32 adults, $28 college/military $28 youth. Night sessions (4-9:30) $19.

Operating hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday (closed Monday-Tuesday except on holidays); open to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday Dec. 30-March 13.

What’s new: The main day lodge has new guest locker/storage areas, and the road in (State Park Highway 206) has been resurfaced. Also, the price of mid-week lift tickets went down a couple of bucks.

Child care: 2 and older; reservations recommended; 509-238-2220, Ext. 229.

Mountain information: 509-238-2220, Ex. 204.

Snow phone: 509-443-1397.

Web site: www.mtspokane.com

Status: Has scheduled Dec. 4 as opening day.

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Ski Bluewood

Where: 21 miles from Dayton in Columbia County.

Elevation: 4,545-5,670 feet.

Lifts: Three — two triple-chairs, one pommel lift (percentages — beginner 27, intermediate 43, advanced 30).

Lift prices: $42 all-day adult, $38 student, $33 child/senior; half-day are $34/$31/$28.

Operating hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; open all holiday Mondays.

What’s new: Bluewood was facing closure with long-time owners Stan and Nancy Goodell planning to retire, but the area was purchased this fall by a Kennewick couple, Mike and Kelly Stephenson. They’ve been overhauling the area — expect lots of new paint — and are expanding the area’s terrain park.

Mountain information: 509-382-4725.

Snow phone: 509-530-4111.

Web site: www.bluewood.com

Status: No opening date set.

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49? North

Where: 10 miles from Chewelah.

Elevation: 3,956-5,774 feet.

Lifts: Six — one quad, four double-chairs, one surface lift (percentage — beginner 30, intermediate 40, advanced/expert 30.

Lift prices: Adults, weekends and holidays $51 all-day, $41 half-day (noon-closing), $45 all-day midweek.

Operating hours: 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Friday through Tuesday through Jan. 22, to 4 p.m. daily after that until the end of the season; open daily for the holidays (Dec. 21-Jan. 1). Night skiing to 8 p.m. on four Saturdays (Dec. 19 and 26, Jan. 16, Feb. 13).

What’s new: Crews added finishing touches to seven alpine trails on Angel Peak, the terrain west of Chair 4, built restrooms on the summit and expanded the lodge’s front sundeck.

Child care: Ages 2-10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; 509-935-6649, Ext. 618.

Mountain information: (866) 376-4949.

Snow phone: (866) 376-4949.

Web site: www.ski49n.com

Status: Opened last Saturday in limited operation.

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Mount Baker

Where: East of Bellingham in the North Cascades.

Elevation: 3,500-5,000 feet.

Lifts: Ten — eight quads, two surface lifts (percentages — 24 beginner, intermediate 45, expert 31).

Lift prices: Weekends and holidays, $49.50 all-day adult, $37 ages 7-15. Weekday prices, $43 and $34.

Operating hours: Daily 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. through April 10, then weekends until season end.

Child care: Not available.

Mountain information: 360-734-6771.

Snow phone: 360-671-0211.

Web site: www.mtbaker.us

Status: Opened last Saturday with six lifts in operation.

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OREGON

Cooper Spur

Where: 23 miles south of Hood River and 2 1/2 miles west of Highway 35.

Elevation: 4,000-4,350 feet.

Lifts: One double-chair, one surface tow, two tubing tows (percentages — beginner 40, intermediate 40, advanced 20).

Lift prices: $25 adult, $20 ages 14-and-under and 65-and-older.

Operating hours: Noon-9 p.m. Fridays, 9-9 Saturdays, 9-4 Sundays and Monday holidays. Open daily Dec. 20-Jan. 2 (9-4 Sunday through Thursday, 9-9 Friday-Saturday) and March 19-27.

Mountain information: 541-352-6692.

Snow phone: 541-352-7803.

Web site: www.cooperspur.com

Status: No opening date set.

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Mount Hood Meadows

Where: Mount Hood, 35 miles south of Hood River.

Elevation: 4,523-7,300 feet.

Lifts: 13 — five express quads, six double-chairs, two surface tows, plus two tubing tows.

Lift prices: Shift (9 a.m.-4 p.m., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 1-10 p.m.), $69 adult, $39 ages 7-14 or 65-plus; $54 for noon-4 p.m..

Operating hours: Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. -10 p.m.

What’s new: Meadows created an adventure terrain park (complete with rope tow) specifically for its ski/snowboard school, and developed a deli/restaurant meeting complex in its North Lodge.

Child care: 503-337-2222, x374.

Mountain information: 800-754-4663.

Snow phone: 541-386-7547.

Web site: www.skihood.com

Status: Opened Saturday in limited operation.

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Mount Hood Skibowl

Where: Mount Hood, 35 miles south of Hood River.

Elevation: 3,500-5,027 feet.

Lifts: Eight — four double chairs, four surface tows, one tube tow (percentages — beginner 20, intermediate 40, advanced 40).

Lift prices: Adults, weekend shift $44, weekday shift $36; shifts are open-4 p.m., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 1 p.m.-closing at 10 or 11 p.m.

Operating hours: Monday-Tuesday, 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Mountain information: 503-272-3206.

Snow phone: 800-754-2695.

Web site: www.skibowl.com

Status: Will probably open this week.

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Timberline

Where: Mount Hood, 35 miles south of Hood River.

Elevation: 4,950-8,540 feet.

Lifts: Nine — five high-speed quads, one triple-chair, one double-chair, two surface lifts (percentages — beginner 30, intermediate 50, advanced 20).

Lift prices: Adults $56 regular or $62 peak (Dec. 25-Jan. 2, holidays, weekends in January/February); $48/$52 for 1-4 p.m. shift or $25 for 4-10 p.m. shift.

Operating hours: Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday-Saturday and holidays, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.

What’s new: Two new snow-cat groomers and $4 million in improvements to the lodge complex, including paving all of the parking lots.

Child care: Monitored kids’ ski programs for ages 4-12 (info at 503-231-5402) will have to do.

Mountain information: 503-622-7979.

Snow phone: 503-222-2211.

Web site: www.timberlinelodge.com

Status: Open in limited operation.

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Mount Bachelor

Where: 24 miles southwest of Bend.

Elevation: 6,300-9,065 feet.

Lifts: 12 — Seven express quads, three triple-chairs and one surface lift, plus two tubing lifts (percentages — beginner 15, intermediate 25, advanced 35, expert 25).

Lift prices: All-day adult $50 to $70 ($or 40 to $60 for teens and seniors), based on Bachelor’s sliding scale factoring in visibility, wind and weather. , or $69 during peak season (Dec. 20-Jan. 4, Jan. 17-19, Feb. 14-16), all Saturdays; ages 13-18 $49/$58; ages 65-69 $50/$60, 70-and-up free.

See What’s New below.

Operating hours: Daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

What’s new: There’s a new moving-carpet style lift for beginners in the West Village base area, and the Martee West moving carpet has been moved to the Sunrise Lodge.

Child care: 800-829-2442.

Mountain information: 800-829-2442.

Snow phone: 541-382-7888.

Web site: www.mtbachelor.com

Status: Will open Wednesday.

*******
IDAHO

Lookout Pass

Where: Wallace, Idaho, 73 miles east of the Washington-Idaho border along Interstate 90.

Elevation: 4,500-5,650 feet.

Lifts: Three double chairs, one surface tow (percentages — beginner 20, intermediate 50, advanced/expert 30).

Lift prices: Full-day adult $35 weekend/holiday, $32 midweek, $30/$27 for half-day, 12:30-4 p.m.

Operating hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, 8:30-4 weekends. Open Thursdays through Mondays (plus Wednesdays in January and February) and all holidays, daily Dec. 18-Jan. 3.

What’s new: Resort managers have submitted their 20-year master develoopment plan requesting approval of a second base area, nine new ski lifts and 2,000 additional acres of sking on two adjacent peaks.

Mountain information: 208-744-1301.

Web site: www.skilookout.com

Status: Opened last Friday in limited operation.

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Sun Valley

Where: Outside of Ketchum.

Elevation: Bald Mountain: 5,750-9,150 feet; Dollar Mountain: 6,010-6,638 feet.

Lifts: 19 — Seven high-speed quads, four triples, five doubles, three surface tows (percentages — beginner 36, intermediate 42, advanced 22).

Lift prices: Bald Mountain: all-day adult, $83 ($85 Dec. 24-Jan 2); Dollar Mountain, all-day adult, $42 ($44 Dec. 24-Jan. 2). Reduced pricing through Dec. 17 and after Feb. 27.

Operating hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mountain information: 800-786-8259.

Snow phone: 800-635-4150.

Web site: www.sunvalley.com

Status: Plans to open Thursday (Nov. 25).

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Schweitzer Mountain

Where: North of Sandpoint.

Elevation: 4,000-6,400 feet.

Lifts: Nine — one high-speed six-pack, one high-speed quad, four doubles, two surface tows (percentages — beginner 20, intermediate 40, advanced/expert 40).

Lift prices: All-day, adult $65, age 7-17 $49, 65-plus and college students $55; half-day, $59/$44/$49.

Operating hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; open until 8 p.m. daily Dec. 26-Jan. 5, then Fridays, Saturdays and holidays Jan. 11 through March 15.

Child care: 208-255-3070.

Mountain information: 800-831-8810.

Snow phone: 208-263-9562.

Web site: www.schweitzer.com

Status: Opening this Friday.

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Silver Mountain

Where: Outside of Kellogg, 75 miles southeast of Spokane.

Elevation: 4,100-6,300 feet.

Lifts: Seven — one eight-person gondola, one quad, two triples, two doubles and one surface tow (percentages — beginner 20, intermediate 40, advanced/expert 40).

Lift prices: All-day adult daily $50, peak season $53.

Operating hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

What’s new: The resort offers a “Snow and Splash” specials providing access to Silver Rapids, Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark.

Child care: Ages 2-6 by reservation at 208-783-1111.

Mountain information: 800-204-6428.

Snow phone: 800-204-6428.

Web site: www.silvermt.com

Status: Plans to open Friday.

Living here, it’s easy to be thankful

YAKIMA, Wash. — In this, the season of Thanksgiving, I thought it might be worthwhile to spend a couple of minutes on a few things for which I am thankful.

Actually, I could spend way more than a couple of minutes, because personally, I have much for which to be grateful. But in the terms of the outdoors, and without getting too philosophical or sappy, Thanksgiving seems like a good time to pause and appreciate our opportunities.

The first thing is how fortunate we are to be born and raised in the greatest country in the world. Over the years, I have met and talked with people from England and other countries, where participating in outdoor pastimes are just not available to everyone. In some parts of the world, owning a gun, hunting and fishing are only for the wealthy or politically powerful. In the good old US of A, those rights and privileges were given to us by our forefathers.

And we should be thankful we live in the Northwest — specifically, here in Central Washington — where we have so much opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Think about it: Within a two-hour drive we can be skiing, hiking, camping and backpacking in the Cascade Mountains, or playing in the Columbia River.

We can be hunting big game within an hour and we can be hunting birds and waterfowl within minutes.

We have an amazing variety of fishing available to us right here in Eastern Washington. You may not realize it, but nowhere else in the United States do anglers have the opportunity to fish for so many different species of freshwater fish.

Down south, it is mostly bass and panfish. Back east they have some salmon and steelhead in the Great Lakes, but they don’t get the big runs throughout the year like we do. Along with our salmon and steelhead, in close proximity we can fish for bass and walleye, perch and crappie, along with several types of trout.

Our spring salmon season on the Columbia routinely draws anglers from Idaho, Montana, and California. I’ve even seen folks from as far away as Colorado here to enjoy what we have in our back yard.

Okay, now to get a little personal. I am also thankful for my upbringing. My father started me fishing when I was 6 years old, and had me learning proper gun safety with an air rifle when I was 8.

My dad planted those seeds a long time ago, and then spent the time to nurture them, making sure I had the opportunities to spend time outdoors learning to enjoy and appreciate what we have.

And my mom supported all of this. Heck, she’d often times cook what I dragged home, including once when she cooked a trout, caught fresh from Cowiche Creek, in the first family microwave. Did you know trout will explode?  Neither did we … until it blew up into a thousand pieces that had to be scraped off of the door and walls of the new fangled machine.

I talk with many anglers and hunters who weren’t as fortunate as I in having that mentoring and those opportunities as they grew up. My dad passed away almost two years ago now, but there isn’t a day that goes by I don’t silently thank him for starting me down the outdoor path I’ve come to love and enjoy so much.

And I am thankful for good friends. Over the years I have met so many great people through hunting and fishing and the outdoors. Some have become lifelong friends and partners. All of you who have had partners who will bag out on you at the last minute, or not pay their own way, or only do what they want to do, when they want to do it, know just how valuable a good partner is. I feel fortunate to have several really good hunting and fishing partners.

Finally, I am thankful for my family. I get asked fairly regularly, with all of the hunting and fishing I do, how it is I’m still married. I could probably write a book about this, but frankly, it is because I have one of the sweetest wives around. Terri has always been supportive of my outdoor activities, and if it isn’t too — (pick one) hot, cold, windy, wet, early, late — she will even join me on occasion.

Terri has her own interests, and while I know she likes having me around, she also enjoys the times when I am gone. So it works out well.

My sons grew up hunting and fishing with me, and even though they are now grown and on their own, they’ll still get out with me as often as they can. Being able to share these activities with them is something I cherish. I realize we are lucky because not all families have the same interests or are able to spend much time together doing what they like to do.

For all of these, and many, many other things, I am thankful today, tomorrow and every day of the year.

Okay, it was a little sappy.
• Rob Phillips is a freelance outdoor writer and partner in the advertising firm of Smith, Phillips & DiPietro. He can be reached at rwphillips@spdadvertising.com.

11-23 What’s Happening

Sno-Park agreement to last through ’11-’12

Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers wondering if their Sno-Park passes will continue to be recognized in neighboring states can breathe easily: They will, for at least this winter and next.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission had been expected to end their reciprocal, one-size-fits-all agreement with Oregon and Idaho regarding Sno-Parks in its meeting last Friday. But Gov. Gregoire’s executive order to suspend state agencies’ rule-making activities through 2011 means the Sno-Park agreement will remain in effect at least through the 2011-12 winter.

Washington State Parks had considered ending the inter-state reciprocity because Oregon’s passes cost half what Washington charges for its Sno-Park passes. “So (Oregon pass holders) are getting access to Washington trails for about half-price,” State Parks spokesman Wayne McLaughlin said.

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BIRD ALERT

A week full of surprising bird sightings began with what appears to be a first-year male rose-breasted grosbeak frequenting a feeder along South Ahtanum hill. This large, seed-eating songbird in the cardinal family usually winters in Mexico, Central America and South America and this bird is thought to be only the third record for Yakima County.

Another Ahtanum-area surprise is a male rufous hummingbird regularly visiting a feeder there. There were also reports of Anna’s hummingbirds visiting feeders in Yakima, Toppenish and Wapato. With sufficient food and shelter, these species have been known to survive in temperatures well below freezing. Another unexpected find this week: a western wood-pewee spotted fly-catching from atop a willow at the Old Ahtanum Mission.

A local birder on the Yakima Training Center found a snow bunting alongside the road near the top of Umtanum Ridge, as well as a few horned larks, two rough-legged hawks, one northern shrike and a golden eagle.

Raptor sightings included a merlin on a Terrace Heights rooftop, a western screech owl at the arboretum and a beautiful prairie falcon on a light pole east of the airport on Valley Mall Boulevard.

Please call your bird sightings into the Yakima Valley Audubon phone line at 509-248-1963.

— Kerry L. Turley

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AROUND AND ABOUT

NEW PARKS DIRECTOR: Don Hoch will become Washington State Parks director Dec. 1, replacing retiring Rex Derr, whose 33-year career with the agency includes the last eight years as director. Hoch had previously headed up the agency’s southwest region.

LOGGING TRAFFIC: Up to 14 logging trucks a day are coming out of the Wildcat area on Forest Road 1306, so drive defensively in that area. There will also be logging traffic on the 1703 (Gold Creek), 1705 (Spring Creek) and 1708 (Milk Creek) roads, and you can expect one of those to be posted closed to non-logging traffic during the week.

DOGS ON THE TRAILS: Cross-country skiers and snowshoers should all know this, but just in case … dogs are prohibited on all groomed trails, since their paws punch holes in the trails and make them more difficult to follow.

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ON THE CALENDAR

TODAY: The Cascadians’ energetic “Tuesdays” will meet at 8 a.m. at the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart parking lot and head out on whatever adventure the trip leader has decided upon. Come prepared for weather and … well, for anything. And pack a lunch.

THURSDAY: Hey, it’s Thanksgiving. C’mon, you didn’t expect the Cascadians’ Pokies to be hiking on this day, did you? Seriously?

West Valley bowls past Chiawana

PASCO — Makayla Douglas rolled a two-game series 435 to lead West Valley to a non-league bowling victory Monday against Chiawana.
Team scores: West Valley 817, Chiawana 653; West Valley 897, Pasco 637. Baker games: Not played.

Highlights: Makayla Douglas (WV) 435 (225), Miki Campbell (WV) 358 (184), Ally Delozier (WV) 346 (201), Alyssa Deaton (WV) 312. Echo Kane (P) 327.

Records: West Valley 4-1 overall.

State semifinal football pairings, scores

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