BEND, OR -- There isn't actually any snow on the mountain just yet, but the forecast looks good enough to make some tentative plans. The Mountain's Drew Jackson says they want to open the Sunshine lifts on Saturday and invite hopefuls up to kick off the season. "We’re taking a leap of faith here and trusting the weather forecast of 1 to 2 feet of snow."

Jackson says snow enthusiasts should be able to ski or snowboard Saturday and Sunday. "Our Saturday plan is still tentative at this point, there's always a chance that the weather forecasts don't turn out to be as positive as they're looking right now, which is why we want people to check in with us on Friday, no matter what, to confirm what our weekend plans are."

Jackson says the forecast may call for snow this week, but it's hard to know what will come next. "Unfortunately, it's hard to say what our 'going forward' plan is going to be after Saturday, there's just still too many wild cards at this point. We actually don't have any snow at the mountain currently, so we're completely dependent on what's expected to fall."  

Complete details about this weekend, including lift operations, ticket prices, and the Nordic Center's status, will be announced Friday on the Mountain's website. The Mountain crew plans to have the Gravity Sports shop open Saturday and Sunday, with food and beverage services in the lodge and the Nordic Center. "The most likely scenario, if we're able to open a chair lift on Saturday, would just be the Sunshine chair lifts, the main beginner run there, and we'll have some rails and boxes set up in a mini-terrain park there."

The plan is to be open both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, then check the forecast and make winter plans.