Mt. Hood’s 4 Ski Resorts | for an Unforgettable Trip
Mt. Hood is Oregon’s tallest peak, a dormant volcano that is part of the Cascade Mountain range, which turns into a winter wonderland each year, offering a wide range of winter recreation. Is Mt. Hood worth visiting? You bet it is!
The nearest ski resort is just 60 minutes from the city of Portland, making it accessible for after-work turns or an easy weekend adventure with your family. The four ski resorts on Mt. Hood include Timberline, Mt. Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, and Cooper Spur.
Each offers a distinctive mountain experience, various winter activities, and a memorable experience.
Here are some items to consider when choosing a destination for your ski trip on Mt. Hood.
- Location and how you will get there.
- Will your trip require overnight accommodations?
- What services does the ski resort offer, such as shuttle service, childcare, gear rentals, lessons, etc.?
- Is the ski terrain appropriate for the ski levels of your group?
- How much will it cost? What are the extra costs that could come up?
- If you are skiing with beginners, do they offer beginner lifts that run slower speed that have operators trained in helping beginners?
- What other services does the ski resort offer, such as package deals, lodging, ski locker rooms, parking, restaurant, ski shop, etc.?
- What are the expected conditions when you plan to go? This one is harder to predict, but the weather can make or break your trip.
Timberline Ski Resort and Lodge
Timberline Ski Area is under 90 minutes from Portland and 5 miles beyond the alpine village of Government Camp. Timberline has the longest ski season in the country and is the only ski resort to offer skiing for ten months each year.
With a recent expansion of Summit Pass, they now offer the most inbound vertical in the country at 4,540 feet with 1,685 of skiable terrain. The ski resort is home to the historic Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark built in 1937.
The magnificent 55,000-square-foot lodge sits at 6000 ft and offers overnight ski-in/ski-out accommodations.
General Mountain Stats
- 6 High-Speed Quads
- 2 Doubles
- 1 Surface
- 2 Passenger Snowcats
- 6 Terrain Parks
- Night Skiing
Terrain and Trail Breakdown
- Number of trails 41
- Beginner 25%
- Intermediate 50%
- Advanced 25%
Other Winter Activities
- Scenic snowcat tour to the top of the world-famous Palmer Snowfield, an 8,500-foot elevation of Mt. Hood, for groups of up to 6 people.
- Uphill alpine touring routes are marked on the resort trail map, and Timberline allows one downhill trip per day without a lift ticket or season pass.
- Snow tubing hill and rental tubes are available at the Summit Pass Lodge, the newest addition to Timberline in Government Camp.
- Snowshoeing trail at Timberline is on a groomed trail on the east side of the lodge and approximately 3/4 mile long, taking you up to some magnificent views of the Cascades and Mount Jefferson on a clear day. Rentals are available in the day lodge.
Resort Amenities
- Day lodge Services include rentals, lessons, a ski shop, lockers, a cafeteria, dining, and guest services.
- Onsite Overnight Accommodations include fine dining, a swimming pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a fitness room. Ample event accommodations, weddings, and catering.
Mt. Hood Meadows
Mount Hood Meadows offers the best terrain on Mt Hood and has a true big mountain experience. This resort is just 90 minutes from Portland, boasts 2,150 acres of varied terrain, and has an average snowfall of 430 inches.
There is something here for every ski level, but the separating factor is the expert terrain and the legendary Heather Canyon. Expert skiers will have their pick of powder-filled bowls, endless steeps, or glade tree runs with cliff outcroppings.
General Mountain Stats
- Lifts 13
- High-Speed Quads 6
- Doubles 5
- Surface Lifts 2
- 5 Terrain Parks and Halfpipe
- Night Skiing
Terrain and Trail Breakdown
- Number of trails 85
- Easy 15%
- Intermediate 50%
- Expert 35%
Other Winter Activities
- Nordic Skiing- with over 5 kilometers of groomed and set track trail, including skating and classic striding lanes. Private lessons and rentals are available.
- Snowshoeing- Snowshoe tours with scenic chair rides and rentals are available.
Resort Amenities
- Day lodge Services include rentals, lessons, a ski shop, a demo shop, lockers, dining services in the lodge and on the mountain, professional photography, catered events, camps, and clinics. No onsite lodging, but winter overnight RV parking is available first come, first serve.
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
Less than an hour’s drive from Portland with some of the best terrain on Mt. Hood, it’s no surprise Ski Bowl is a local favorite. On average, snowfall exceeds 300 inches over the 960 acres the resort spans.
Ski Bowl is America’s Largest Night Ski Area with 36 lighted runs and has the most lit black diamond runs in Oregon. They are open seven nights a week during the season.
Mt. Hoods Ski Bowl has a laid-back vibe that greets you when you arrive with a relaxed atmosphere, nightly bonfires, and music always playing. Open until 10 pm nightly. They are frequented by the after-work crowd looking to get some weeknight turns.
Located in Government Camp and walkable to the Ski Bowl East entrance, they are the closest resort to the stores and shops in the village.
General Mountain Stats:
- Lifts 4
- 4 doubles
- 5 Surface Lifts
- Terrain park with rope tow surface lift
Terrain and Trail Breakdown
- Number of trails 69
- Easy 20%
- Intermediate 40%
- Expert 40%
Other Winter Activities
- Snowtubing and Cosmic Tubing® – Ski Bowl takes tubing to the next level, starting with a conveyor walkway that gives you a relaxing ride to the top of the tubing hill while enjoying the music and over 600,000 LED lights that put on a nightly show at the best party on the mountain. Reservations are required.
- Snowmobile tours- guided group and private tours are available
- Private Snowshoe tours– guided through the evergreen forests on a flat out-and-back trail.
Resort Amenities
- Day lodge services include lessons, a rental shop, a retail shop, lockers, a ski shuttle, restaurant options, dining in the mid-mountain warming hut, and outdoor seating at the bonfire.
- Ski Bowl offers slopeside lodging at Collins Lake Resort, a short walk to the lifts and near to everything the village has to offer.
Cooper Spur
This resort is located on the north side of Mt. Hood and is just a 2-hour drive from Portland. The ski area spans about 50 acres of terrain, offering beginner to intermediate-level skiing, perfect for families just starting out in the sport.
There is even one black diamond run for those intermediate skiers looking to push their skills to the next level. Snow permitting, they have night skiing on Fridays. The alpine lodge is the perfect retreat from the cold, and there are picnic tables to use on the deck on a spring bluebird day.
General Mountain Stats
- Lifts 1
- 1 double
- 1 Surface Lifts/other
Terrain and Trail Breakdown
- Number of trails 10
- Easy 40%
- Intermediate 60%
Other Winter Activities
Cross-country Skiing- the Nordic Center offers 6.5 kilometers of trails for skating and traditional striding. No track fees for hotel guests.
Snowshoeing- trails offering beginner to advance level terrain. Rentals are available on-site. Free snowshoe rentals for hotel guests.
Resort Amenities
- Day lodge services include lessons and rentals for those in lessons, a snack bar, lockers, a restaurant, and a bar.
- There are many options for lodging at this resort, from hotel rooms to condos and pet-friendly log cabins with propane fireplaces.
Before you go
- It’s essential always to exercise caution and be prepared for winter weather conditions anytime you plan to venture into the mountains. Check the weather and road conditions before heading out, and make sure you are prepared. Look at our Winter Driving Safety Tips & 16 Emergency Kit Ideas.
- These ski resorts will require a winter Sno-park pass for parking from November 1st through April 30th. Information on where to purchase them can be found here:
