Ax-Throwing Booth Highlights Hoodoo Winter Carnival

Yes, you read that right. Hoodoo guests can walk up and chuck and ax at a target during next Saturday’s (Feb. 11) Winter Carnival celebration at the Santiam ski area.

If that doesn’t pique your interest, there’s plenty else to do. But we have to be honest, we don’t actually want to associate with you or your tree-hugging ilk.

Other activities includes an employee snow sculpture contest, winter disc golf, team tube races, a pie-eating contest and, wait for it, Bingo!

Actually, there’s more stuff going on than we could possibly list here. But all we really care about is the opportunity to throw an axe in a sanctioned carnival atmosphere.

* Photo: Travel Oregon

Read the rest of the release here:

Hoodoo Ski Area to host 31st annual Winter Carnival on Feb. 11

Sisters, Ore. — With the 2011-12 ski season in full swing and an ample snowpack now in place in the Mid-Cascades, Hoodoo Ski Area will host its popular Winter Carnival, presented by Subaru of Bend, on Feb. 11.

Now in its 31st year, Hoodoo’s Winter Carnival is a celebration of the fun and excitement of winter recreation in the Northwest. The day-long schedule of events includes an ax throwing booth, frisbee golf, musical chairs, a three-legged obstacle race, a team tube race, a hula-hoop contest, a fly-athalon, a pie eating contest, a ski javelin throw, an archery contest, a Hoodoo employee snow sculpture contest, bingo and a special dinner menu. The always popular Dummy Downhill contest at 3 p.m. features large figures made by Hoodoo guests. The dummies, which are attached to skis or sled runners, are sent flying down a steep course with a snow-packed jump that leads them to a stunning crash.

Join us later in the day for live music in the lodge by Bend-based bluegrass band Blackstrap, a bonfire at 4:30 p.m., the annual torchlight descent at 9 p.m. and an amazing fireworks show on the mountain at 9:15 p.m. For a complete Winter Carnival schedule and the Downhill Dummy registration form, go to www.hoodoo.com/events.

In addition to all the aforementioned activities, Hoodoo’s five lifts are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with night skiing continuing on some runs from 4-8:30 p.m. The Autobahn Tubing Park will also be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  For information about daily ski conditions, prices, rentals and more, visit www.Hoodoo.com or call the Hoodoo Snowphone hotline at 541-822-3337. More specific questions can be answered by calling Hoodoo main office at 541-822-3799.

As one of Oregon’s oldest and most centrally located ski areas, Hoodoo continues to be a popular winter destination for skiers, snowboarders and winter sports enthusiasts throughout the Pacific Northwest. With a base of 4,668 feet, a summit of 5,703 feet and a vertical rise of 1,035 feet, Hoodoo offers a fun and challenging environment for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and skill levels. Since opening in 1938, Hoodoo has evolved into a full-service mountain resort with more than 800 skiable acres, 32 alpine trails, three quad lifts, one triple chair and one double chair. Hoodoo also offers snowbike, Trikke and snow scooter rentals. Night skiing is held from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the season.

Hoodoo’s spacious lodge includes a rental and repair shop, ski shop, restaurant, full bar, lockers, showers, as well as overnight car and RV sites. Parking is free for Hoodoo guests and Sno-Park permits are available for the nearby snow parks. Overnight parking is by Hoodoo parking permit only.

Hoodoo Ski Area is a family-owned, locally operated mountain resort operated on federal land by agreement with the Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River ranger district. Located on the summit of Oregon’s Santiam Pass 20 miles west of Sisters, Hoodoo is one of the state’s most centrally located, economical and family friendly winter sports destinations. Visit us online at www.Hoodoo.com and see why Hoodoo is “The Mountain in Your Backyard!”

This article appears in Feb 2-8, 2012.