Mt. Hood, OR – Snow on the ground and an improving weather forecast has spirits running high for a pre-Thanksgiving opening at Oregon’s Mt. Hood Meadows. Nevertheless, Meadows is throwing a “Pray for Snow” party November 21 to celebrate the season — regardless of whether the lifts are operating.

The all-day event includes a preview of ski and snowboard outerwear, apparel and hard goods at the Outer Limits and High Performance Center sports shops, open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with some early season specials. Higher Grounds will be serving its winter fare of coffee drinks, sandwiches, wraps, salads, snacks and smoothies. And for those wishing to get the party going the Alpenstube will be serving cocktails and winter concoctions.

A sneak preview dinner featuring Meadows CEO Matthew Drake will be presented from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In a brief presentation, Drake will talk not only about Meadows’ pre-season preparations, but also the resort’s efforts to diversify into a year-round recreation, lodging, entertainment, education and culinary company.

Meadows new Executive Chef Matthew Stine has prepared a dinner featuring mushroom ravioli, blackened catfish, a Hood River Chicken Melt or Chef Matt’s Legendary Mac And Cheese. The dinner, which requires advance purchase and reservations, includes appetizers, salad, entree, dessert, two glasses of the Meadows private label wines and coffee and tea. There is very limited seating for the dinner, which costs $25, or $35 including an after-party with the band Hit Machine.

Hit machine will play for dancing from 8 to 11 p.m. In between band breaks Meadows will present fashion shows and raffle off prizes. Passholders will receive bonus loyalty rewards points. Party tickets alone can be purchased online in advance for $10.

To purchase dinner, party and the dinner party package visit SkiHood.com/pray4snow.