State transportation crews will begin working around the clock this week to open public access to a heavily damaged highway leading to Mt. Hood's biggest ski area.

A massive mudslide last week closed Highway 35, the road used to reach Mt. Hood Meadows. Engineers believe they may be able to partially open the road in a matter of weeks.

Officials with the ski resort said they are staying optimistic.

"The story is going to shift from 'Oh my god, look what's happened' to 'Oh my god, look what they're doing to fix it," said Dave Riley, the resort's general manager.

Though the highway is clear all the way to the ski area, officials must still inspect a bridge on the route to determine if it is structurally sound. That's complicated, however, because one side of the bridge is buried under 20 to 25 feet of rocks and mud.

Some skiers are watching the situation carefully.

Greg Coulter paid $400 for a Meadows season pass.

"All things being considered, it is a major east-west route so I think the highway department, the state and the other powers that be will probably all pitch in together and get it done," he said.

In the meantime, smaller ski areas on the mountain, like Mt. Hood SkiBowl, are preparing for thousands of extra skiers in case the road to Meadows remains closed.