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No, we're not talking about the economy. We're talking about a great way to get rid of the winter doldrums, right in our own backyard.
Story and Photos by Ken Graham
When you hear the word "shredder", what's the first thing that comes to mind? If you're thinking of a device that turns your bank statements into confetti, then we have some sad news: Your life has become dull and boring and your idea of risk is that someone will find out how little money you have.
But there's good news too: a cure for your winter blahs lies just 22 miles up the road from Dayton. And, best of all, it won't shred your bank account. To get there, go to Fourth and Main in Dayton and turn south. Then keep driving until you get to the Bluewood Ski Area parking lot. Now go rent a snowboard and boots, get on the "triple nickel" lift and turn right at the top.
In front of you is the Trailer Park Terrain Park, with its jumps and rails and half-pipes designed specifically for snowboarders. At this point you're just a "gaper", so stay out of the way. But with a little work and practice, you'll soon be "shredding" with the best of them.
If you're old-fashioned like us, you may want to bring your old-fashioned skis and poles instead – or rent some – then get on the lift that best suits your ability. Either way, it's time to get out on the snow.
According to Bluewood owner Stan Goodell, the number of skiers and snowboarders at Bluewood is usually about equal. "We've always welcomed snowboarders," he says. "But it's a great place for skiers too."Bluewood has two triple lifts – the triple nickel and the skyline express – plus a platterpull for beginners. Twenty-four runs, from green to black diamond, are spread over more than 400 acres of National Forest land. Bluewood has the second highest base elevation of any ski area in the state, and it is considered by many to have some of the best tree skiing in the northwest.
This is the 25th season that Stan and Nancy Goodell have owned the Bluewood ski area, which opened for the current season shortly before Christmas. When the Goodells took over in late 1983, Dayton was a newly minted "ski town", and the Goodells understood that, to be successful, Bluewood needed to play an important role in the local community and the surrounding region. Yes, Bluewood offers a great place for skiers and ‘boarders of all skill levels to play and practice. But for more than two decades, Bluewood has also been involved in activities with community groups and charities, to help get more people involved in skiing who otherwise might not have the opportunity.
"We decided early on that one group we really wanted to get involved with was Special Olympics," says Stan. "To see these athletes and what they can do on the slopes is amazing." Since the mid 1980s, and continuing on today, Bluewood offers free skiing to all athletes and coaches who are part of Special Olympics.
Another program that Bluewood began offering several years ago is a fifth-grader ski program, in conjunction with Dayton and Waitsburg Schools. One school day each week, for four weeks, students get discounted skiing and lessons at Bluewood. Bluewood is also the home training area for the Whitman College Ski Team.
Bluewood plays an important part in the local economy of Dayton, of course. "It takes a lot of people working well together to run a ski area," says Stan. "Many people in Dayton have worked for us over the years."
On a busy day, between 40 and 50 people will be working at Bluewood. "We have instructors, patrol people, groomers, lift operators, parking attendants – the list goes on and on," says Stan. Bluewood also employs workers in the ticket sales booths, the food service area and pub, and the retail and rental shops in the lodge.
Bluewood manager Bruce Goodell, who is Stan and Nancy's son, says that a total of nearly 150 people will work at Bluewood sometime during the season.
Stan Goodell points out that, besides having a significant impact on local employment, Bluewood makes many other important contributions to the local economy. "Our customers buy gas and food and often stay in the local hotel and motels," he says. Bluewood also generates a significant amount of sales tax revenue for the local economy.
Since the Goodells have owned Bluewood, they've made many improvements, the most important of which was the addition of the triple nickel chair in the late 1980s. "We've developed several new tree-skiing areas, including Champagne and Stump Farm," he says. The Goodells have also added many new runs in their 25 years of owning and operating Bluewood.
So if you thought that you had to travel to Aspen or Tahoe in order to break out of your winter doldrums, think again. Great skiing is just up the road. And, best of all, at the end of a hard day's skiing or snowboarding, you'll be able to rest those sore muscles in your own bed.
Nose
The front tip of your board
Carve
A clean turn on the edge of your board, with no skidding
Switch
Riding opposite of your natural stance (i.e. backwards)
Kicker
A jump. Also known as booter, hit, table, hip or cheese wedge
Posse
Your crew of friends that you ride with
Goggle Tan
A tell-tale sign of a good day riding
Yard Sale
A fall resulting in a trail of carnage and equipment, free for the taking
Lip Jerky
What you get when you apply lip-gloss instead of lip-balm on bright, sunny days
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