Willamette Pass, Ore. -- The first snow storm hit just a few days ago, and that means ski resorts around Eugene are finally and officially opening up.
It's opening day at Willamette Pass and everyone KEZI spoke with say they'd much rather be hitting the slopes than out shopping for Black Friday or even watching the Duck's game. Strapping in, and jumping on the life, to start off the season with a bang.
"There's no better place to be," said snowboarder Jen McFaden.
It's a place where die-hard skiiers and snowboarders get a chance to do what they've waited all year for.
"I've been waiting since they closed last year," said snowboarder Kyle Richner.
"All of the sudden it went from no snow to about four feet of snow," said Tim Wiper, Willamette Pass Owner. Owner Tim Wiper said the season opener couldn't have come at a better time.
"I think a lot of us just having skiing in our bloods, skiing and snowboarding you just get the itch and so the sooner the better," Wiper said. "You got to get back in the groove a little bit and no better place to come up and slide down the hill.
With three lifts running, and all of the runs on the front side of the mountain open, snowboarders said the first day is the best time to venture out to the Pass.
"Riding the fresh powder is way fun to go through and hit stuff that's not been touched before," Richner said.
"Nice to get the first laps in of the first season, it's a good feeling," said snowboarder Tanner Demoss. The runs are pretty open and they're pretty powdery right now," said snowboarder Daniel Boles. "Not a lot of people clogging up the runs."
They say nothing could beat a day at the mountain.
"Not many people being here Black Friday and the Duck game going on kind of get the mountain to ourselves, get some fresh tracks," said snowboarder Jordan Loos. "It's a lot of fun out here opening day.
"This is the best way to spend Black Friday," said McFaden.
Wiper said they have crews working on the backside of the mountain where nine runs are currently closed. They plan on having both peaks open by this weekend. Employees say they have high hopes for this season and they're predicting a long one full of fresh powder.
