Snow is Good, but Southern Ore. Ski Area Needs Green

A small ski and snowboard area near Lakeview, Ore., could close this winter unless its operators can raise $4,000 to cover their insurance and payroll costs.

Larry Utley, president of the Fremont Highlanders Ski Club, which operates the Warner Canyon Ski Area near Lakeview, said he thinks he can raise it.

“I think we will raise the money before November and December, so I think the potential for opening this season looks good,” Utley said. “A few weeks ago I wasn’t so optimistic.”

A Lake County fundraiser in June raised about $14,000, toward a total goal of $21,000. In the last three weeks, Utley said about $3,000 more in donations have come in; donors who provide $250 or more will have a plaque placed on the seat of a Warner Canyon chair lift.

Lease agreements between Lake County, which owns the Warner Canyon property, and the U.S. Forest Service stipulate that the ski area must provide insurance to maintain its’ lease.

While Utley is optimistic the remaining $4,000 will be raised, he said managers are taking steps to prevent unexpected expenses in future years.

Instead of an hourly salary, for example, the ski hill manager will be paid a percentage of receipts.

The cost of season and day passes also is expected to increase, from last year’s $22 to about $26. Individual season passes sold for $230 last season while family passes were $650. Utley said those charge may increase slightly.

Next season’s financial problems also may lessen with good early snow. Warner Canyon had 2 feet of snow shortly before Christmas last year, but that snowpack was washed away by three days of rain, which delayed the ski hill’s opening.