Ski season delayed at Oregon mountains as everyone waits for major snow

Ski enthusiasts across the Pacific Northwest are wondering when the skiing season is likely to start.

Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, say it’s an El Nino year, which means the eastern Pacific Ocean is about half a degree Celsius warmer than usual. In practical terms, that means conditions in Oregon and Washington will likely be slightly warmer and wetter.

The Mt. Bachelor ski resort had originally been scheduled to open Friday but had to delay to wait for more snow.

“While we have received some solid early season storms in late October and early November, we’ve also seen a few rain events and warmer temps,” Mt. Bachelor spokesperson, Lauren Burke, told the Bend Bulletin.