Published: Sunday, November 25, 2007
Mission Ridge opens ski slopes to cheers
WENATCHEE -- Several skiers and snowboarders who showed up for the opening of Mission Ridge ski area Friday morning summed things up in a word: Awesome.
Today's opening was Mission Ridge's earliest since 1985.
First to take the hill at 9 a.m. was Wenatchee resident Jimmy Ortiz, who sported a helmet with two big black bull horns poking out the top meant "to keep snowboarders away."
"The thrill. The excitement. The speed," Ortiz cried out after christening the slope. "It's total freedom."
Longtime skier Marc Buchanan of Wenatchee said he's been getting antsy seeing snow in the mountains lately.
"I've been anxious for the last month," he said while standing in the lift line. "This is just what I do."
Snowboarder Lynn Freeman, 14, of East Wenatchee said he was excited to fly down the mountain but was also glad to be back at the Ridge because "it gets you away from the parents all day."
"It just feels good getting back on the board," said Jacob Gustin, 13, of East Wenatchee.
Snowboarding buddies Bruce McCall, 17, and Steven Ticker, 18, both of Cashmere, said they didn't come for good snow, which can't be expected on opening day, but instead showed up to feel the opening day electricity.
"It really gets you going," McCall said.
Mission Ridge will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Only one lift is open right now.
The ski area will close during the week next week and will reopen Nov. 30, said Jerri Barkley, marketing director at Mission Ridge.
Today's opening was Mission Ridge's earliest since 1985.
First to take the hill at 9 a.m. was Wenatchee resident Jimmy Ortiz, who sported a helmet with two big black bull horns poking out the top meant "to keep snowboarders away."
"The thrill. The excitement. The speed," Ortiz cried out after christening the slope. "It's total freedom."
Longtime skier Marc Buchanan of Wenatchee said he's been getting antsy seeing snow in the mountains lately.
"I've been anxious for the last month," he said while standing in the lift line. "This is just what I do."
Snowboarder Lynn Freeman, 14, of East Wenatchee said he was excited to fly down the mountain but was also glad to be back at the Ridge because "it gets you away from the parents all day."
"It just feels good getting back on the board," said Jacob Gustin, 13, of East Wenatchee.
Snowboarding buddies Bruce McCall, 17, and Steven Ticker, 18, both of Cashmere, said they didn't come for good snow, which can't be expected on opening day, but instead showed up to feel the opening day electricity.
"It really gets you going," McCall said.
Mission Ridge will be open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Only one lift is open right now.
The ski area will close during the week next week and will reopen Nov. 30, said Jerri Barkley, marketing director at Mission Ridge.
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