Upgrades Planned for klamath county ski resort
Nearly $500,000 in improvements aim to enhance visitor experience and strengthen the resort’s long-term future.
The Willamette Pass Ski Resort is investing nearly $500,000 in upgrades over the next few years, part of an ongoing effort to enhance the mountain experience and support local communities across northern Klamath County.
According to a release from the resort, the improvements are “designed to elevate your experience,” with a focus on upgrading snowmaking systems, expanding rental and demo equipment, and modernizing gear for ski school programs. Other projects include interior updates to the lodge, new kitchen equipment, beer taps, and a water fountain to “improve our food and beverage offers and overall atmosphere.”
“These projects are a continuation of a multi-year effort to strengthen the mountain we’re all proud to call home,” the release stated.
General Manager Mindy Ingebretson-Wolowicz said the updates reflect the commitment of the resort’s owner, Mountain Capital Partners (MCP), a Durango, Colorado-based company that owns several ski areas in the U.S. and Chile.
“They truly believe in the smaller, family-friendly resorts,” Ingebretson-Wolowicz said.
Some of the changes this season will be more subtle — including longer hours for food and beverage services to accommodate skiers and snowboarders wrapping up their final runs of the day.
The lodge of the Willamette Pass Ski Resort is located in far northern Klamath County. Ski runs for the resort straddle both Klamath and Lake Counties (Google Maps)
Willamette Pass is also working with the Willamette National Forest on a long-term master development plan, which has been approved but still requires additional environmental review and final details before moving forward.
“I’m excited to see where we’re taking Willamette Pass,” said Ingebretson-Wolowicz, who has worked at the resort since 2001 and is now in her third year as general manager.
Although many of the resort’s guests come from the Eugene area, much of the staff comes from northern Klamath County communities such as Chemult and Gilchrist. The resort employs up to 175–200 workers during the winter season.
“It takes quite a lot of people to keep things going,” Ingebretson-Wolowicz said, noting that off-season employees focus on maintenance while seasonal workers handle grooming, food service, and day-to-day operations.
Willamette Pass offers 555 acres of skiable terrain, 1,562 feet of vertical drop, and an average annual snowfall of 430 inches. The mountain features five chair lifts, one conveyor, and 29 trails for a range of skill levels, as well as 20 kilometers of cross-country ski trails.
To encourage participation in winter sports, Willamette Pass offers free passes for youth under 12 and adults 75 and older, along with a range of discounted and dynamic ticket options starting at $19 on select days. Lessons, rentals, and ski school programs are also available.
“We need to make new skiers and riders to keep things going,” Ingebretson-Wolowicz said. “Watching people get their multiple days of skiing is really important.”
Cover image: Willamette Pass Ski Resort