The Hodag

Legend of the Hodag

The Hodag is a strange critter indeed and, until very recently, hardly ever seen. When Hoodoo opened the Hodag Canyon for skiing, the long-forgotten Hodag was spotted again. The story is that it migrated to Hoodoo Butte from Northern Wisconsin where it was last spotted by Eugene Shepard when it heard about the deep Hoodoo snow.

However, even though Hodags are known to migrate to the best snow, that may be just a story. It is an extremely reclusive animal and certainly on the endangered species list. But if you happen across one on the slopes, don't worry. Hodags actually thrive best around people. It couldn't be happier than if there was a base of 20 to 30 feet of powder with skiers flying by.

But what exactly does a Hodag do? Well, have you ever fallen down on the snow? Probably it was a Hodag grabbing your ski as you went by. Or did you ever lose a glove or other piece of gear on the slopes? Yep. A Hodag got them. Nonsense you say? Well, maybe so. But then, what else can explain those awful moguls and odd claw-like tracks? It doesn't take long to know that there's mischief afoot.

So the next time you're out, tip your ski to the Hodag, the oddest phenomenon in the Cascades and known in these mountains to reside only in the snow of Hoodoo.

-The Management