Tucked away in the Cascades is Hoodoo, a ski resort often stuck in the shadow of its larger neighbor, Mt. Bachelor. Those who aren’t skiing or snowboarding can rent one of Hoodoo’s unconventional snow toys.
“We have a unique toy for everyone,” lodge manager Doug Ritchie said.
It’s not normal to see a figure rush down the well-groomed runs face first, but it was a common occurrence last winter as youths tested the Airboard off terrain park jumps.
The Airboard is
an inflatable body board that riders can steer by shifting their weight from side to side while lying on their stomachs. Emo Gear President Ann-Elise Emerson said it
has “all the control of skis but
(is) built with materials like a white water raft.”

Airboarding started as an underground snow sport movement in Europe in 2000. It traveled to the states in November 2003, and Hoodoo introduced it to Oregon in January.
“It’s becoming very popular,” said Matthew McFarland, Hoodoo’s general manager. “I just had a call last week from GQ magazine, and I get phone calls every day from people interested in the Airboard and two a week from other U.S. ski resorts.”
McFarland said the trend reminds him of the increase in snowboarding in the late ’80s and ’90s and predicts that people will soon ditch their skis and snowboards for Airboards.
On Feb. 25, Hoodoo will host the first Airboard competition, fashioned after the Airboard World Series in Europe. Emo Gear chose Hoodoo as the location because it is a progressive resort, Emerson said.
Hoodoo has 18 Airboards for rent and a number for sale. First-timers are required to get a lesson to learn the basics before tackling the slopes. The cost is an $18 rental fee and $10 for a first-time lesson.
Another alternative winter sport is snowbiking. Instead of wheels, a snowbike has ski blades; instead of pedal power, it requires gravity. Riders click into short skis for their feet, but there are no pedals. At Hoodoo, newcomers will need to take a short lesson on the basics. It costs $20 to rent the snow bike and $20 for the lesson.
Scooting down the slopes is more fun when trying something a bit unconventional. Hoodoo is located 83 miles east of Eugene.