At the mid-valley’s nearest ski and snowboard destination, Hoodoo Mountain Resort, the staff is praying for snow.

Hoodoo experienced a record number of patrons last year, with about 90,000 visitors during its 110 open days. But this year the resort has yet to officially open for the season.

“Our hope is to top 100,000 visits this year,” said Josh Alder, director of marketing and public relations for Hoodoo Ski and Recreation Services.

“Last December was Hoodoo’s best December ever by about 50 percent. We are expecting this year to be opposite than last year, which saw a great, early start leading to a somewhat disappointing end of season. This year’s late start will hopefully lead into a great end of season in April.”

The ski area opened briefly the weekend of Dec. 1. With only a few runs open to the public, Hoodoo charged a reduced rate to the approximately 500 patrons on that Saturday.

“It was a good start,” Alder said. “Especially since people know there isn’t a lot of snow.”

The resort staff had hoped to open for good this weekend, but given the weather Alder said that was unlikely.

Hoodoo does not make its own snow, so cold weather without rain is essential.

“Assuming it stays cold enough we will be open until late March to mid-April,” he added.

Hoodoo’s 150 seasonal workers are on call until the ski area opens.

“They have been hired and trained,” Alder said. “Our staff is on standby, waiting and hoping.”

He said Hoodoo’s biggest days are often holidays, with last year’s New Year’s Eve crowd skiing until midnight to the sounds of live music and fireworks.

Since owner Chuck Shepard bought the ski area in 1999, the resort has been updating its facility. A large lodge has been added.

A rental and repair shop, deli, pizza restaurant, bar, arcade for kids, as well as showers and lockers are all located on the premises.

Along with Hoodoo’s five ski lifts, the resort at the summit of the Santiam Pass features a popular “Autobahn” tube park, two-day lodges and nearly 16 kilometers of Nordic skiing trails.

“A lot of times skiing becomes kind of an economic sport. If you don’t have a lot of money, you just don’t do it,” Alder said. “We try to make it easier for families to come. Our motto is steeper, deeper, cheaper.”

He said last year’s season was one of Hoodoo’s best in the past three decades. Hoodoo opened in 1938.