'As soon as we can.' Fresh snowfall has Mt. Shasta Ski Park set to finally open

SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. — After opening in mid-December last year, the Mt. Shasta Ski Park is still waiting to welcome people back this winter. With several inches of fresh snowfall at their base, that wait is nearly over.

"We're aiming to get open as soon as we can," said the ski park's Marketing Director, Grace Hornbeak, on Thursday. "The date we keep aiming for keeps scooting back based on our snow totals."

Our real goal is to be open before MLK Weekend, next weekend," Hornbeak continued.

It took time, but Mother Nature finally showed up. Hornbeak emphasized, just because snow is sticking, that doesn't mean their team is ready for visitors.

"We ask that our enthusiastic guests hold off on coming up to the ski area until we are open," Hornbeak said. "There is a lot of machinery going around, the roads aren't fully safe if there's mixed conditions, and it kind of impedes our process of opening."

The excitement to hit the mountain is obvious, especially after last year's historic winter.

"There's totally a lot of pent up demand. Our own staff is feeling it too, we all love skiing, we can't wait to be open," Hornbeak told KRCR's Sam Chimenti. "We definitely did see an increase in demand after last season. We had a record number of season passes sold this year, which last year was a record number of season passes sold, and we significantly beat that number this year."

Whenever Mt. Shasta ski park does officially open, it will be their latest opening date in at least five years. Hornbeak and the whole crew on the mountain feel the 2024 season can still be a success.

"I think we're still really optimistic about it. We got a great team all around, we're feeling good about who we got in different positions and the team that they've all built for their various departments. So the only factor we're waiting on to make it another amazing year is the snow."

Mt. Shasta typically remains open until spring, weather permitting. To purchase season/day passes, click here.

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