With COVID virus international travel restrictions limiting North America’s 2020 summer on-snow training options, a great many were depending on the hard work and perseverance of a select few… and they didn’t even know it!
Mount Hood Oregon is the premier destination for summer on-snow training in North America. Specifically, the Palmer Snowfield Glacier at Mt. Hood has long history of Spring / Summer Alpine Training. In fact, training at Mt. Hood is a rite of passage for many athletes that go on to pursue alpine racing at the highest level.
Every year Mt. Hood shuts down normal mountain operations and opens the Palmer Snow Field for Spring and Summer training teams. This year, that almost didn’t happen!
February 2020 a huge ice storm damaged the lift poles and cable of the Palmer lift system. Due to winter weather, repairing the Palmer would have to wait until Spring. However, by Spring the COVID pandemic was greatly impacting all business activities. Supply chains ground to a halt, the labor force was idle, and travel was next to impossible. It was under these circumstances the Palmer was to be repaired and open in time for the June 2020 Summer Season.
Check it out…
