Snow festival this weekend

SANTIAM PASS: The Back-country Festival will return to the to Hoodoo Ski Area this Friday and Saturday with seminars, industry pros, brand demos and entertainment. Organizers say there will be interactive displays set up on the snow as well as opportunities to test the best of fat tire bikes, skies, boots, bindings and light weight goods suited for every form of human powered touring into the backcountry.

Other features of the two-day festival will include music, races, demos, clinics, snow camping and a Three Creeks Brewing Co. beer garden. Trophies and prizes will be awarded for top two male and female in each race. Kids can earn their Junior Ranger Snow Badge by participating in the four levels of winter science and wildlife.

Friday’s festivities will start at 1 p.m. with a snow camp set up next to the Hoodoo lodge. Followed at a 4 p.m. with a live DJ in the snow cave and a backcountry film festival with juried movies from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Vendors like Berg’s Ski and Snowboard shop, Blazin Saddles and Euro Sports will be onsite to demo gear the next day after a pancake breakfast in the lodge. Starting at 11 a.m., a clinic in the Mt Hardware space station tent will take a deeper look into what to do before heading out into the field. Topics will include interpreting online avalanche reports, general trip planning, group management, equipment, evaluating team and observations, choosing terrain options, and setting up emergency response plans. It will also delve into the Avalanche Field book and how to better use this tool to help make any day in the backcountry a success.

For the younger set, there will be a chance to become certified as a Junior Snow Ranger certification. There’s no need to register to qualify for an activity book, badge and give-away items

At 11 a.m. all comers can compete in the “Battle into the Backcountry” for  human powered uphill and downhill races.

Afternoon events will range from fat tire mountain bike trials over a circle course set up in the bowl to a downhill slalom or a Fat Tire Race on the Upper Nordic Trail System.

Music is set for 4 to 5 p.m. in the bowl. If weather doesn’t permit, the live music and movie will move indoors.

For more information, contact the Hoodoo Ski Area at 541-822-3799 or skihoodoo.com.

Image above: Photo Courtesy Hoodoo Fat tires help two wheelers extend their riding season.