Oregon State Parks seek public input on proposed rules for drone takeoffs, landings in state parks

KTVZ

(Update: Video Added)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public feedback on proposed rules governing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) takeoff and landing in Oregon’s state parks and along the ocean shore.

“The proposed rules establish where and how UAS may take off and land on state park property, to balance recreational opportunities with protection of natural, cultural, scenic and recreational resources,” the agency said in Tuesday’s announcement, details of which continue below..

Public comments on the proposed rule changes can be submitted:

Online:

https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-Rule-2025-Drones-Take-off-and-Landing.aspx

By email:

OPRD.PublicComment@oprd.oregon.gov

By mail:

Oregon Parks and Recreation DepartmentAttn: Robert Ellison725 Summer St. NE, Suite CSalem, OR 97301

A public hearing will be held to allow members of the public to provide testimony.

Virtual hearingTuesday, January 20 at 5:00 p.m.

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X3ChSlJkTE-Y3FRh3WIy-Q

The draft rules focus on regulating takeoff and landing locations, which are within the department’s authority, while recognizing that UAS flight is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Under the proposal, UAS use would generally be limited to designated areas for drone operations, with additional requirements for commercial or research purposes.

The proposed rules were developed in response to Senate Bill 109 (2021), which directed OPRD to create a regulatory framework that provides recreational UAS access while protecting sensitive park resources and minimizing conflicts with other visitors.

OPRD convened a Rule Advisory Committee made up of recreation user groups, conservation organizations, natural resource specialists, commercial operators and other stakeholders. The committee reviewed draft rules and provided recommendations that helped shape the proposal now open for public comment.

Once the public comment period closes, OPRD staff will review all feedback, revise the draft rules as appropriate, and present a final proposal to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration later in 2026.

If adopted, the rules would be implemented in phases, allowing the department to adapt management strategies over time, based on resource conditions, visitor use and operational experience.

Click here to follow the original article.

‘Skiers and riders are in for a treat’: Mt. Bachelor ‘elated’ by lots of long-awaited snow due this week

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After a late start to winter and weeks of tantalizing and teasing storms that brought some, but not a lot of snow to the slopes of Mt. Bachelor – only to melt on warmer and rainy days – this week’s storm is going to deliver what winter sports enthusiasts have been hoping and waiting for — not just inches, but feet of fresh powder to play on.

“I don’t think I have ever used this word in a media alert, but I can honestly say we at Mt. Bachelor are elated to see FEET of snow in the forecast this week. 😊,” Mt. Bachelor Communications and Community Relations Manager Presley Quon said Tuesday in an update to the media.

“With up to 52” of snow possible by Thursday followed by a clear, partly sunny weekend, skiers and riders are in for a treat,” Quon wrote. “Snow is currently coming down hard, with an inch already accumulating on the snow stake since this morning.”

She advised everyone to “check the webcams to watch the snow stack up, and refer to the Mountain Report for operations updates throughout the storm cycle. Teams will be working around the clock on storm recovery efforts and to expand terrain, as conditions allow.”

However, that much snow in a matter of days has its share of risks that visitors need to be aware of, as Quon reminded.

“Be Advised: With heavy snow comes increased risk of snow immersion suffocation (SIS) and tree wells,” she said. “Mt. Bachelor urges guests to ski or ride with a partner and keep them in sight at all times. Sticking to open, groomed trails minimizes SIS hazards. To learn more about deep snow safety, visit: https://www.deepsnowsafety.org/.”

The National Weather Service has a winter storm warning in place for the east slopes of the Cascades and other areas of Oregon and Washington through 4 p.m. Thursday, with one to three feet of snow expected above 4,500 feet.

KTVZ’s Local Alert Weather Team has issued a Local Alert Weather Day for Wednesday, with 1-2 inches of snow possible in Bend and larger amounts at higher elevations that could mean tricky winter travel for many.

Click here to follow the original article.

Military officially demobilizing National Guard troops activated in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago

Barney Lerten

(UPDATE: Adding Video)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — After months of court fights and legal limbo over their call-up by President Trump, hundreds of Oregon National Guard members and others called up in Portland, Los Angeles and Chicago to protect federal facilities are being demobilized, the U.S. Northern Command confirmed Tuesday.

“All Title 10 troops in Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago are conducting demobilizing activities. They will return to their home units once their demobilization is complete,” according to a brief update on NORTHCOM’s “Federal Protection Mission” website.

Trump federalized 200 Oregon National Guard troops in late September in response to protests outside an ICE facility in Portland’s South Waterfront neighborhood, KGW reported, although he repeatedly described both the mission and the situation on the ground in Portland in far broader and more incendiary terms, such as claiming that life in the city was like “living in hell” and that he was “authorizing Full Force, if necessary” to respond to “Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”

Local and state political leaders protested the move, arguing that Trump was grossly exaggerating the situation on the ground and that the existing federal personnel at the ICE facility were fully capable of keeping it secure. KGW’s reporting showed that the protests were largely peaceful and confined to just a few nearby blocks.

Trump announced recently that he was withdrawing the National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, but left the door open to sending federal forces “in a much different and stronger form.” He did so after the US Supreme Court rejected his request to let him deploy the Guard to Chicago to protect ICE agents as part of the administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.

Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement Tuesday in response to the official demobilization order, received Monday by the Oregon Military Department. She said demobilization activities require Oregon National Guard members to travel to Fort Bliss, Texas before returning to Oregon.

“The citizen-soldiers of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, friends, and family,” Kotek said. “These courageous Oregonians deserve certainty and respect. While I am relieved that all our troops will finally return home, it does not make up for the personal sacrifices of more than 100 days, including holidays, spent in limbo. 

“During this crisis, Oregonians stood united against the unwanted, unneeded, unconstitutional military intervention in our state, with thousands peacefully voicing their opposition to the Trump Administration’s abuse of power. 

“President Trump’s disregard for the facts on the ground revealed that he is more focused on provoking a fight in cities and states that don’t share his politics than serving the American people. I remain committed to defending our values and the rule of law.”

Kotek said a U.S. District Court injunction preventing Guard deployment in Oregon remains in effect and on appeal in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Click here to follow the original article.

As new year begins, AAA says Oregon and Washington see the largest gas price declines in the nation

KTVZ

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – It’s another week of declines at the gas pumps as 2026 begins, AAA Oregon/Idaho reported Tuesday.

Gas prices continue to fall in Oregon and most other states this week, driven by the usual seasonal factors of low demand and cheaper winter-blend fuel. In addition, crude oil prices remain below $60 per barrel.

For the week, the national average for regular slips two cents to $2.82 a gallon. The Oregon average loses six cents to $3.39 a gallon. Oregon and Washington (-6 cents to $3.82) both have the largest weekly declines in the nation.

Bend’s average gas price drops a nickel, to $3.27 a gallon.

“After some years with wild swings in gas prices due to the pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and other factors, 2025 was a relatively calm year at the pumps,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Gas prices in Oregon and Washington were impacted by two closures of the Olympic Pipeline in September and November 2025 which temporarily caused prices to climb. But otherwise, gas prices tended to follow the seasonal trends of rising in the spring ahead of the switch to the more expensive summer-blend fuel, and declining in the fall and winter due to the annual switch to the cheaper winter-blend gas and the usual seasonal drop in demand for gasoline.

The Oregon average for regular gas began 2025 at $3.45 a gallon and ended the year at $3.43. The highest price of the year was $4.297 on September 13 and 14. The lowest price of the year was $3.43 on December 31.  

The national average began 2025 at $3.06 a gallon and ended the year at $2.84. The highest price of the year was $3.268 on April 4. The lowest price of the year was $2.825 on December 29.

Demand for gasoline in the U.S. gasoline decreased from 8.94 million b/d to 8.56 million b/d for the week ending December 26. This compares to 8.17 million b/d a year ago. Total domestic supply of gasoline increased from 228.5 million barrels to 234.3 million. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.5 million barrels per day compared to 9.8 million barrels the previous week.

Gas prices usually drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15. However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31. Prices usually decline to their lowest levels of the year in late fall and early winter before increasing again in the late winter and early spring.

Gas prices typically rise starting in mid-to-late winter and early spring as refineries undergo maintenance ahead of the switch to summer-blend fuel, which is more expensive to produce and less likely to evaporate in warmer temperatures. The switch occurs first in California, which is why pump prices on the West Coast often rise before other parts of the country. The East Coast is the last major market to switch to summer-blend fuel. Most areas have a May 1 compliance date for refiners and terminals, while most gas stations have a June 1 deadline to switch to selling summer-blend. Switch-over dates are earlier in California with some areas in the state requiring summer-blend fuel by April 1. Some refineries will begin maintenance and the switchover in February.

The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) has mostly been in the upper $50s to mid-$70s since September 2024.

WTI is trading at $58 today, compared to $58 a week ago and $74 a year ago. In 2025, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $80.04 (January 15) and $57.46 (October 16) per barrel.  In 2024, WTI ranged between $66 and $87 per barrel. In 2023, WTI ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. WTI reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.

Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the current economic uncertainty, unrest in the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Crude prices were volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, there were concerns that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region.

Crude oil prices declined after October’s fragile peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ in previous years tightened global crude oil supplies, which continued to impact prices. But in 2025, the cartel boosted production which put downward pressure on crude oil prices.

Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 49% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 14% is refining, 21% distribution and marketing, and 17% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains at or near record highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in his country remains at 13.83 million barrels per day for the week ending December 26. Production has been at 13.5 million barrels per day many times since October 2024. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.

Quick stats

Oregon is one of 42 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a week ago. Oregon (-6 cents) and Washington (-6 cents to $3.82) have the largest week-over-week declines in the nation. Delaware (+14 cents) has the biggest week-over-week increase in the country.

Hawaii ($4.42) has the most expensive gas in the nation for the fourth week in a row. California ($4.25) is second. These are the only states with averages at or above $4 a gallon. This week seven states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3-range. There are 40 states with an average in the $2 range this week.

The cheapest gas in the nation is in Oklahoma ($2.24) and Iowa ($2.35) and. No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.

The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $2.19 this week, compared to $2.18 a week ago.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is 15 cents less and the Oregon average is 33.5 cents less than a month ago. Oregon has the second-largest month-over-month decline in the nation. Idaho (-34 cents) has the biggest month-over-month drop in the nation.

Oregon is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a year ago. The national average is 25 cents less, while the Oregon average is seven cents less. Colorado (-52 cents) has the largest year-over-year drop in the nation. Alaska (+22 cents) is the only state with a year-over-year increase.

West Coast

The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with six of the seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.

Rank
Region
Price on 1/6/2026

1
Hawaii
$4.42

2
California
$4.25

3
Washington
$3.82

4
Alaska
$3.54

5
Oregon
$3.39

6
Nevada
$3.37

7
District of Columbia
$3.16

8
Pennsylvania
$3.04

9
Vermont
$3.04

10
New York
$3.03

As mentioned above, Hawaii has the most expensive gas in the country for the fourth consecutive week. California, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Nevada round out the top six. Arizona is 11th. Oregon is fifth most expensive for the third week in a row.

All seven states in the West Coast region have week-over-week decreases. Oregon (-6 cents) and Washington (-6 cents) have the largest declines in the nation. Arizona (-3 cents), California (-2 cents), Alaska (-2 cents), Nevada (-2 cents), and Hawaii (-3/10ths of a cent) also have lower prices this week.

The refinery utilization rate on the West Coast decreased from 82.6% to 79.6% for the week ending December 26. This rate has ranged between about 70% to 93% in the last year. The latest national refinery utilization rate ticked up from 94.6% to 94.7%.

The refinery utilization rate measures how much crude oil refineries are processing as a percentage of their maximum capacity. A low or declining rate can put upward pressure on pump prices, while a high or rising rate can put downward pressure on pump prices.

According to EIA’s latest weekly report, total gas stocks in the region declined from 29.93 million bbl. to 29.58 million bbl. for the week ending December 26. An increase in gasoline stocks can put downward pressure on pump prices, while a decrease in gasoline stocks can put upward pressure on pump prices.

Oil market dynamics

Crude oil prices are up slightly to start this week, as investors weigh the impacts from the U.S. action in Venezuela and how it might impact that country’s large oil reserves. In addition, OPEC+ said Sunday that it would keep its oil production steady.

Meanwhile, the EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 1.9 million barrels from the previous week. At 422.9 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 3% below the five-year average for this time of year.

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session, WTI slipped 10 cents to close at $57.32. At the close of Monday’s formal trading session, WTI gained $1.00 to settle at $58.32. Today crude is trading around $58, same as a week ago. Crude prices are about $15 less than a year ago. ($73.56 on January 6, 2025)

Drivers can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

Diesel

For the week, the national average slips three cents to $3.53 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average falls four cents to $4.04. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago the national average for diesel was $3.51 and the Oregon average was $3.76.

Find current fuel prices at GasPrices.AAA.com.

Click here to follow the original article.

Update: Bend snowmobiler killed in California avalanche remembered as active, true outdoorsman

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video, comments from sheriff’s sergeant, friend of Thomason)

TRUCKEE, Calif. (KTVZ) — A Bend snowmobiler was buried in snow and killed in an avalanche Monday during an outing with four friends in the Castle Peak area near Truckee, California, despite the group’s extensive experience and safety precautions, authorities said.​

Nevada County sheriff’s deputies said the incident was reported around 2:20 p.m. Monday after the group set off from the Johnson Canyon area and made their way up to Castle Peak. On their return from the backside of the mountain, an avalanche was triggered, burying 42‑year‑old Chris Scott Thomason of Bend.​

Sgt. Dustin Moe with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said Thomason’s friends immediately switched from recreation to rescue, using his avalanche transceiver to locate him under the snow. “The friends immediately went into action, trying to find the subject by searching for his transceiver. They found him a short while after and ended up digging him out and started some life‑saving measures doing CPR,” Moe said.​

Deputies said the group of five friends were all well‑prepared for backcountry exploration, wearing appropriate protective equipment, including avalanche beacons/transceivers. Two members of the group are locals who know the Tahoe area well, one of them CPR‑certified, while the other three — including Thomason and another CPR‑certified rider — were visiting from Bend.​

After Thomason was dug out, the group began CPR, which continued for more than an hour with the help of an off‑duty Truckee Fire medic who came upon the scene with two other Good Samaritans and took the lead on emergency efforts. Despite the sustained, high‑level CPR and the safety measures the group had in place, Thomason did not survive.​

Thomason was well-known in Central Oregon, friends told KTVZ News. He was the co‑owner of Thomason Auto Group in Bend and is seen on the left in a photo shared with the station. Originally from Portland, he had lived in Bend for many years and loved to snowmobile, boat and mountain bike — a true outdoorsman who friends described as very active.​

Chris Thomason (left) with one of his many friends (right).

Thomason leaves behind his wife and their three young daughters.

Search efforts in the area concluded Monday night, and deputies said all remaining individuals known to be in the Castle Peak backcountry are accounted for and safe, with no other victims or missing persons. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office offered its condolences “to the family and loved ones impacted by this tragic incident” and thanked the nearly 50 people who joined the rescue mission.

Central Oregon, unfortunately, has a recent history of residents killed in the backcountry.

Viewers may remember that Terry and Susan Renee Skjersaa, a highly experienced Bend couple deeply rooted in the local skiing community, were killed in a large D2 avalanche while backcountry skiing near Broken Top in the Happy Valley area of the Cascades last February.

Just a few weeks later, Brian Thomas Roberts, a beloved Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation instructor, champion ski racer, and father from Bend, was killed in another avalanche while cat skiing on the north/northwest side of Mt. Bailey near Diamond Lake Resort.

Click here to follow the original article.

Hoodoo Ski Area plans to open Thursday; up to 50 inches of snow in the forecast

Kelsey Merison

(Update: Adding Hoodoo news release)

SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Hoodoo Ski Area plans to open Thursday, with the current weather forecast of up to 50 inches of snow this week.

KTVZ News received a news release Tuesday morning announcing the plans:

Hoodoo Ski Area anticipates opening this Thursday 

Sisters, Ore. – With a promising forecast up to 50 inches of new snow this week, Hoodoo Ski Area anticipates opening its season this Thursday, with lifts running 9 am – 9 pm. An official announcement will be posted soon at hoodoo.com and lift tickets will be available for advance purchase online at that time. If the weather forecast holds, Hoodoo’s popular Thrifty Thursday with $35 lift tickets will apply on Jan. 8.

Guests can find updated details about weather conditions, events and more at hoodoo.com, Hoodoo’s official social media accounts and the new Hoodoo Ski Area app, available now in both the App Store and Google Play Store.

Right now, significant snowfall is forecasted to fall in the Cascades through the end of Thursday.

Download the KTVZ Local Alert Weather App for the latest updates on Central Oregon’s forecast. It’s free to download in your phone’s app store, just search ‘KTVZ.’

Click here to follow the original article.

DCSO welcomes Dozer, a new drug detection K-9

Kelsey Merison

(UPDATE: adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — On Tuesday, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced a new 4-legged deputy: Dozer, the 16-month-old Springer Spaniel specially trained in drug detection.

Dozer will work with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, primarily in undercover and drug operations. Dozer is trained to detect methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.

Read the full press release from DCSO below:

“The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is proud to welcome its newest working dog, K-9 Dozer, a 16-month-old Springer Spaniel specially trained in drug detection.

K-9 Dozer has been assigned to the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team and will work primarily in undercover and drug operations throughout Deschutes County and the tri-county region. Dozer was trained by Golden Gate K9 under certified trainer Frank Romano.

Dozer is a four-odor drug detection dog, trained to detect methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. Adding him to the K-9 team strengthens local drug enforcement capabilities, as there are currently only a limited number of odor-detection dogs available in the region. Dozer arrived in late December for an introduction with his new handler and will begin field operations in early 2026.

With Dozer’s arrival, DCSO now has five working dogs, including:

Three patrol K-9s (Delta, Ronin, and Vinnie)

One digital forensics detection K-9 (Cache)

One drug detection K-9 (Dozer)

Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasized the importance of continued investment in drug enforcement efforts.

“Drug investigations play a vital role in improving public safety and preventing dangerous drugs from entering our communities, which often lead to increased crime,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert. “K-9 Dozer improves our ability to identify and disrupt illegal drug activity while ensuring the safety of our community, deputies, and partner agencies across Central Oregon.”

In addition to CODE operations, K-9 Dozer will be available to assist DCSO patrol deputies and other Central Oregon law enforcement agencies as needed.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Bend Police nab suspect driving stolen Jetta

KTVZ – News Team

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend police arrested a 35-year-old local man Monday afternoon after stopping a reported stolen vehicle near Terranaut Brewing on NE High Desert Lane in Bend.

Officers pulled over a dark gray Volkswagen Jetta around 3:18 p.m., after it had been reported stolen from Bend on January 2. The stop was treated as high-risk, a standard protocol for stolen vehicle encounters.

Photos taken by Terranaut Brewing captured officers on scene shortly after their arrival.

The driver, identified as Bend resident Jonathon Carl Paul, was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, first-degree criminal trespass, and possession of burglar’s tools.

Paul was booked into the Deschutes County Jail following the arrest.

Click here to follow the original article.

Crook County School Board seeks input on naming Interim Superintendent Dr. Joel Hoff to permanent post

KTVZ

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County School Board is seeking input from stakeholders to inform its decision regarding the potential appointment of Dr. Joel Hoff, currently serving as interim superintendent, to the permanent role.

On Monday, the district distributed an anonymous survey via ParentSquare, Facebook, and the district website. The survey invites stakeholders to share their perspectives on Dr. Hoff’s leadership as interim superintendent and to indicate whether they support his appointment to permanent superintendent. 

They said that feedback from students, families, staff and community members is a critical component of the board’s decision-making process. 

“The school board is committed to ensuring this process is transparent, open to all stakeholders, and meaningful,” the district said. “All interested individuals are strongly encouraged to participate.” 

The survey will remain open for three weeks and will close on January 26. A summary of the survey results will be presented publicly at the school board’s February meeting. 

To complete the survey, click one of the links below, or visit the homepage of the Crook County School district website.

Superintendent Stakeholder Feedback (English version) 

Superintendent Stakeholder Feedback (Spanish version) 

In addition to the survey, the school board will host a series of listening sessions in February with staff, students, families, and community members to further gather perspectives and deepen its understanding of stakeholder feedback. 

The process for participating in listening sessions will be communicated mid to late January. Findings from the listening sessions will be presented to the board at the March school board meeting. 

Click here to follow the original article.

More snow means more people coming to Central Oregon

Spencer Sacks

(UPDATE: added videos and quotes from Todd Mcgee, Owner of Powderhouse)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With snow already piling onto the mountains, more people are flocking to Central Oregon. With businesses seeing more people now than ever before this season.

Todd Mcgee, owner of Powderhouse told KTVZ News, “It’s a lot more in the fact if you think about it, was Christmas break where we should be slammed? we’re as busy or even busier then on a Monday than we were on christmas, you know, weekend. so it’s a huge, significant amount.” 

Ski and snowboard rentals tell you much about how busy of a time it is.

The busier the rental shops, the busier the mountains are.

“A ton more season leases. and the nice thing about our rentals, when they’re coming back, they’re looking in good shape,” Mcgee told KTVZ News. “We’re not having to stay late and tune them and P-TEX them and get them all back looking nice.”

Powderhouse still has its day and a half turnaround to have equipment ready to go.

Iif you’re still looking to rent equipment, now’s the time to do it.

Click here to follow the original article.