For Mt. Hood Meadows, the December 23 opening marks the latest opening day in 30 years, just edging out the previous record of December 22, 2014. In its opening announcement, Meadows mentioned it would have limited terrain open, including its Ballroom Carpet, Buttercup, and Easy Rider lifts, with the possibility of Daisy as well. The early season limitations extend to operating hours as well.
Sasha Berkovich grew up in the Soviet Union at a time when nothing came easy, and nothing in skiing was handed to you. If you wanted gear, you had to barter for it. If you wanted to ride a rope tow, you had to build it, you had to scrap together old engines, scavenged parts, and whatever rope you could find. Sometimes the only currency that worked was vodka. Skiing wasn't a hobby for Sasha back then; it was something you earned piece by piece