Pray For Snow w/ Chicken $#!t Gamblers

Hood River is getting ready to celebrate all things winter at the first annual “Pray for Snow” Festival. The event, organized by Mountain View Cycles, is a tribute to Ullr (rhymes with cooler) the Norse god of skiing, and will be a time for snow sports enthusiasts to usher in a powder filled winter. Locals and visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate the change of the season and repay Ullr for his gift of snow with a range of festivities on Saturday December 3, 2022.

To kick things off, Bryan Call, founder and owner of Hood River’s Cell Regen will guide us through a polar plunge at the Hood River Waterfront Park & Swim Beach. Here you’ll learn new breathing techniques and about the multiple benefits of cold water swimming. As if your adrenaline wasn’t already pumping from the plunge, Saturday evening’s high energy mixer at The Ruins will feature live music by The Chicken$#!t Gamblers, food & beverage, a silent auction, raffle prizes, winter movie viewings and more. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the event runs until 10 PM. All ages are welcome! Come dressed as a winter god or goddess, or in your favorite Viking attire, and you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win the crown for Snow King or Queen!

All proceeds from the day will go directly to the Hood River Country Christmas Project and Cooper Spur Alpine Team. For more information, visit the event website https://bit.ly/pray4snow.

Who is ULLR? He is Son of Sif, step-son of Thor—he is the norse god of archery and winter. He can usually be seen with skates or skis on his feet, and because of this has been hailed the Guardian Patron Saint of Skiers! He is so fierce a bowman and so swift on snowshoes that none may contend! He is beautiful to look at and has all the characteristics of a warrior. He is who you pray to for snow when the mountains are bare, and toast to after a powder filled day on the mountain.

For more information on Hood River or to book a stay at one of Hood River’s lodging options, visit https://visithoodriver.com/stay.

About Hood River County Christmas Project:

Originally founded in 1923 by the Elks, the Christmas Project is a Hood River based 501(3)(c) that provides assistance during the holiday season to low-income families and seniors who live in Hood River County. For nearly 100 years, the Hood River County community has gathered to help their neighbors at the holidays. Most years, food boxes and age-appropriate toys (new, gently used or repaired) were distributed the week before Christmas. 2020 was the largest year in recent time, serving 891 households and 3,411 individuals (1,617 children). This year, the Christmas Project is projecting close to 1000 households.

About Cooper Spur Alpine Race Team:

Originally founded in 1978, Cooper Spur Alpine Team is a Hood River based 501(3)(c). For over 40 years CSAT has provided youth outdoor programming dedicated to fostering love of sport and character development. In 2012 CSAT expanded programming into FreeStyle/FreeRide and Mountain Biking. CSAT is based out of Mt. Hood Meadows in the winter and holds youth mountain biking in Hood River County’s Post Canyon. All monies raised for CSAT will be designated for CSAT's Dave Howe Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is a financially need based scholarship. In the last 8 years CSAT has given out over 40k to White Salmon and Hood River youth who are dedicated to ski racing and chasing their dreams.