The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - At some point early in the season, Mike and Kelly Stephenson stopped comparing this year's Ski Bluewood attendance numbers to last year's.

It's not that they were bad. To the contrary. Even before the final count is in, they already know that the 2010- 2011 season's crowds were above the three-year average from the last few years.

They just didn't want to be obsessed with their first year's statistical performance as new co-owners of the local mountain, Kelly Stephenson said. They wanted to measure it against a different standard.

" The most important question is, 'How do the customers feel?'" she said. "If they have a positive experience, they'll come back and bring their friends. We're satisfied if they can feel it's better here."

Stephenson's comments came as she took a break from filling hamburger orders on the deck overlooking Sunday's activities at the resort's 25th annual Bash, marking the end of the ski season.

The event easily drew twice the usual number of skiers and completely filled the parking lot despite the drizzly skies that didn't clear until late in the afternoon. The day was replete with everything from freestyle jumps, pond skimming, sumo wrestling, live music and, to top it off, a good hour's-worth of freestyle motocross jumps.

For the Stephensons and their staff, including general manager Travis Stephenson, the Bash was a time to celebrate their first season on the mountain, look ahead to the next one, and contemplate a summer when the lodge and resort may be used for other activities.

From all accounts, it was a remarkably good year with a boost in atmosphere, special events (including two celebrity appearances from basketball superstar Shawn Kemp and renowned freestyle skier Glen Plake) and attendance, not to mention a ton of good ideas for next year.

"The future is very bright here," said Jerry Hanley, who produces videos for Ski Washington, the state's association of resorts.

Hanley, who has been to all but one or two of the ski mountains in Washington and Oregon, spent the day at Bluewood and interviewed the new owners during the Bash.

He came away impressed.

"I sense a lot of enthusiasm from the Stephensons," he said. " They put their money where their mouth is - they want to make it as good as they can make it and then some."

The Stephensons can breathe a little easier now. Going into next season, they'll have many months to prepare and square away all the maintenance requirements compared to the 60 days they had to get ready for the season that just ended.

The first year had its challenges - unforeseen equipment issues, a slow January due to the weather and a steep learning curve for firsttime owners. And of course being in charge took way more time than the Stephensons expected, prompting Kelly Stephenson to quit her administrative job at the couple's church in the Tri-Cities to devote herself full time to the resort's development.

Through it all, however, the couple and their staff had more encouragement and moral support than they ever imagined.

" Community backing has been huge," Mike Stephenson said. "That's what kept the mountain going and makes you want to do more. I feel like starting the new season tomorrow."

Almost on cue, a skier came up to Mike Stephenson during the interview with the Times to hug and give him kudos for year number one.

"Congratulations on a fantastic season," she said. "You guys are going to kick --- up here."

The Stephensons are making plans to do exactly that.

Already, there's talk of opening the lodge and parts of the mountain during the summer months for a poker run with Dayton Wine Works, class reunions, weddings and possibly some outdoor activities yet to be announced (think hiking and biking). Long-term, a lot more summer activities may be in store.

And Ski Bluewood management will use the off season to finish the facelift on the lodge, which includes fresh paint and some residing on the outside, and upgrades on the inside that will make it more rustic.

There will be brush cutting and equipment maintenance, inventory purchases and outreach to bring back the mountain's focus on youth and families. The Stephensons want to attract child specialists, increase the number of ski instructors and boost bus programs.

"That's why we did this," Mike Stephenson said about the couple's passion for teaching newbies to ski.

He also wants to develop the potential of the mountain itself. On some weekends this first season, groomers took small groups of 20 skiers and boarders up to Vintner's Ridge, a run above Tamarack which is only accessible on foot or on sled.

He wants to make that a regular sled shuttle next year.

It's all part of making Ski Bluewood the best little 500- acre resort it can be.

"This is an authentic experience and not a big corporate mountain," Mike Stephenson said. "You can't add 500 feet to the top of the summit, but you can make it the funnest mountain it can be."

Hanley, who has pretty much seen it all when it comes to runs and slopes, agreed.

"They have a lot to work with here," he said.