By Amber Ford, The Mountain Times
While Christmas break of 2023 left many wondering when winter would come (and then remembering how cruel she can be by mid-March), Christmas break 2024 is on track to set records with local businesses, as snow levels were packed in by mid November. Unlike the unusual dry and warm December of 2023, December 2024 came in full swing with ski resorts like Mt. Hood Meadows celebrating an early opening of November 15th, with a base depth of 81” of powder by Christmas break. Throughout Thanksgiving break and into December, Mt. Hood Villages residents saw streams of heavy traffic as tourists and winter sport enthusiasts eagerly got their first taste of an early Mt. Hood winter.
Although ski resorts are seeing the lion’s share of the benefits of an early winter, local businesses throughout the Mt. Hood Villages are also taking note of the differences two Christmas breaks can make. Emma Bellavance, owner of Collective Cleaning, has seen an uptick in rentals and cleans. “Last year’s winter break was spotty and not consistent,” Bellavance said.
“It was definitely a busier week than normal, but it wasn’t like it is currently,” Bellavance added.
While Bellavance acknowledges more check-ins than average on Christmas break no matter the weather conditions, her work is definitely more consistent and booked up than last year. “We did have cancellations last year and that was snow related,” Bellavance said. “Many families plan in advance to spend their holiday skiing and snowboarding and our winter last Christmas just didn’t permit that. This Christmas break is definitely more normal for professional cleaners on the mountain,” Bellavance added.
While the ski resorts and cleaners are feeling the push from tourists during the busy holiday season with the early snowfall, local service industry workers are also seeing the impacts the snow levels have had on their businesses. “There is definitely a difference in traffic from last winter break,” Mt. Hood Villages local and barista Brenna Levesque said. “It’s very noticeable on my way to work early in the morning on the weekends, with headlights heading up the hill that never seem to end,” Levesque added.
With businesses sure to see a positive change in numbers from last winter break, early winter on Mt. Hood has many beneficial factors that are not only for profit, but for forest health as well. According to The Institute for Natural Resources at Oregon State University, snow accumulations in higher elevations help natural reservoirs and water levels. One of the most climactically sensitive elements, an early snow pack can also help fire prevention during dry summer months. Although winter has its moments of stress and cold, the early winter provided to Mt. Hood by mother nature is sure to spread its wealth for months and seasons to come.