Mt. Hood Meadows will open for the winter season Tuesday in the midst of a major winter storm that has dumped nearly a foot and a half of snow the last 24 hours.  It will be a soft opening – with Daisy, Buttercup, Easy Rider chairlifts and the Ballroom Carpet providing access to groomed beginner and intermediate terrain.  The resort opens with a 31 inch snow depth in the base area and close to four feet at mid-mountain.  Storms continue to line up this week with another two feet forecast to fall through Thursday.  Meadows expects to open more lifts and terrain by the weekend, including Mt. Hood Express and possibly Shooting Star Express.  Early season conditions exist and guests are advised to stay on groomed runs and watch for unmarked obstacles.  A preview park with rails and jumps is being built in Shipyard – near the Buttercup lift for early season jibbing.  More parks will be constructed as the resort receives more snow.  The Nordic Center is scheduled to open the season Thursday based on the forecast for more snow and will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays.