A barrage of powerful winter storms have blanketed Mount Hood with a deep layer of light, fluffy snow, and skiers and snowboarders have been hitting it hard.

The snow base at 6,000 feet is over 100 inches, and business has been brisk at all three major resorts on Mount Hood, as well as the shops, restaurants and hotels that support them.

Most importantly, the temperature has behaved. Rather than the usual early season mix of rain, snow and more rain, this year has been all about snow and more snow. The quality of the snow has been outstanding: light and dry and forgiving at any speed.

The air has been thick with powder whoops for weeks. The snow was so light and bottomless on Thursday that a snow cat crew got stuck on the way up to open Cascade Express at Mt. Hood Meadows. When they do manage to open Cascade it is going to be amazing. As will Heather Canyon, once it is safe from avalanche and creek bed dangers. Private Reserve has been open for weeks, and the snow in the trees has been phenomenal. But those tree wells are DEEP, so be mindful.

Meadows has a 108-inch base at 6,250 feet and 11 lifts scheduled to run through the weekend.

Timberline has a 99-inch base at the lodge, four terrain parks open and excellent snow from the Magic Mile to Molly’s.

Even Skibowl has been reaping the powder rewards this year, with 103 inches of snow to date and all sorts of good times to be had at Multorpor, Upper Bowl and the Historic Warming Hut.

This 20-photo slideshow from Grant Myrdal captures the bliss that results when powderhounds get their dream conditions. If you’ve been up shredding powder on Hood this season, chances are Grant has a photo of you. You can get a season photo pass from him by following the link here.

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The National Weather Service’s 7-day forecast is calling for consistently low temperatures and another snow storm moving in next week.

Temira’s forecast predicts that a “very powerful storm” will hit the mountain Monday through Tuesday.

With luck, we’ll get another foot then. There is also a chance that it will turn to rain. This is Oregon, after all.

Last modified: December 16, 2016