By Kerstin Lock

MT. HOOD, Ore. -- It's the day avid skiiers around Oregon have been waiting for: ski season has kicked off with the opening of the Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood.

The Lodge opened two ski lifts over the weekend and Mount Hood Meadows is set to open this week. Timberline Lodge has a 34-inch base, including 4 inches of new snow, for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy. Managers say they hope this early start to the season means it will be a much better season than last year.

As long as the snow cooperates, managers also hope that people will keep doing winter "stay-cations" on the mountain.