The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Resort employs 160 people during ski season

COLUMBIA COUNTY – An early Tuesday morning interview with Ski Bluewood General Manager Kim Clarke found the leader working on parking lot preparations for Wednesday. This is nothing unusual.

"Being a small resort, everybody pitches in everywhere, whether it be Ski School, food service or snow removal," Clarke said.

Although small, relative to major resorts, Ski Bluewood employs about 160 people full and part time during the winter ski months. That staff leans down to seven during the summer months.

"Snow removal is always ongoing in-season, the deck's, walkways, etc. The parking lot, and the road itself we maintain above the mile thirteen marker to our parking lot," Clarke said. "You have to be sure you can get your staff to work."

And the snow-grooming (owners added a new snow cat last offseason) is performed at night. The Ski Patrol, a volunteer core of 25-30 members, scan the slope offering assistance and medical attention as needed.

With operations running strong for likely several more weeks, some key metrics suggest this has been and will finish as a strong year for the wintertime jewel located twenty-one miles south of Dayton.

Teeny McMunn

Melanie Lane (l) and Austin Lasey took a short break from their work in the equipment rental department to pose for a photo during last weekend's College Days

"Last week we already surpassed our number of total skiers from last year," said Clarke. "We are grateful to our loyal customers and our incredible staff, and of course, the commitment of our owners, for all improvements and additions."

Three major events provide the backdrop to a typical Ski Bluewood season. The first being the Toyota Free Ski Friday in January. The College Days event, during which $25 lift tickets are available for college students showing a valid college ID card, occurred last weekend with stellar results. Several schools in a 150-mile radius are welcomed to the event which topped last year's attendance by more than double. And, of course, the Spring Bash (Bash stands for Bluewood Alpine Spring Happening) occurs the final weekend of March, typically near season's end.

March 15 is the date skiers can begin purchasing season passes for next season. The pass allows for the skier to include the remainder of this season as well. For ongoing details and weather and skiing updates, visit http://www.bluewood.com. Go hit the slopes!