Living in Portland the best way to escape the rain is to replace it is with snow! A winter wonderland is a little over one hour from downtown Portland. Just as Hood River brings windsurfers, Mt. Hood and Timberline Lodge is the perfect skiing and snowboarding get-a-way.
About 50 miles from Portland and visible from up to 100 miles away Mt. Hood. As the highest peak in Oregon and the fourth highest in the Oregon Cascade Range, it is part of the Mt. Hood National Forest. The famous Timberline Lodge is located in Mt. Hood National Forest. A known National Historic Landmark the exterior was used as the Overlook Hotel in the Stanley Kubrick film The Shining,
There are four ski areas to choose from, the Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood Meadows, the Ski Bowl, Cooper Spur and Summit. Notably, the Timberline Lodge has the longest ski season in all of North America. However, keep in mind that there is another season at ski areas. summer! With Mt. Hood as the backdrop Ski Bowl, Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows provided excellent venues and resources to take in the beauty entertainment and a range of activities offered in the warm summer months.
If the 11,245 feet elevation of Mt. Hood isn’t enough for your skiing whimsy. Branch out Mt. Bachelor 22 miles west of Bend. At 9,068 above sea level, Mt. Bachelor has a lot to offer those skiing and snowboarding in Oregon. Including nearly 3700 acres of lift-accessible explorable terrain. Located in the eastern flanks of the Central Cascades Mt. Bachelor touts the highest skiable elevation in not only Oregon but Washington too, now there’re some bragging rights. But don’t let the altitude scare you away, t’s family-friendly fun for everyone.
Mt. Hood Meadows
14040 Hwy 35
Mt. Hood OR 97041
503-227-SNOW
www.skihood.com
Meadows is the largest ski area on Mt. Hood with over 2150 acres of terrain and 12 total chairlifts five of which are high speed quads. Mt. Hood Meadows provides exceptional back country skiing terrain for experts in Heather Canyon in addition to lifts and lessons for beginners. Eight terrain parks are offered for riding opportunities of all ages and abilities many of which are lit for night skiing. Mt. Hood Meadows operates a “mountain lifestyle” store/lounge in NW Portland where guests can shop and enjoy a glass of wine or microbrew while exchanging stories from the mountain.
Mt. Hood Skibowl
87000 Highway 26
Government Camp OR 97028
www.skibowl.com/winter
America’s largest night ski area Ski Bowl is also the Portland area’s closest resort at about one hour away from downtown Portland at Government Camp. In addition to the full range of runs for all abilities Ski Bowl offers an expansive outback area and two terrain parks. Ski Bowl provides sliding action for those less inclined to descend its slopes with its Snow Tube & Adventure Park.
Timberline Lodge
27500 E Timberline Road
Timberline Lodge OR 97028
503-272-3311
www.timberlinelodge.com
Timberline offers the longest skiing and snowboarding season anywhere in America as well as storied historical past. Historic Timberline Lodge is a WPA-era lodge built in the late 1930’s during the Great Depression and was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. For skiers and snowboarders the day lodge provides food and services year round. Timberline’s total vertical drop is 3690 feet making it the most vert in the Pacific Northwest. The longest run is three miles. Seven total lifts take guests to 41 runs and several terrain parks.
Mt. Bachelor
13000 SW Century Drive
Bend OR 97702
800-829-2442
www.mtbachelor.com
For Portlanders Mt. Bachelor is a destination resort perfect for the long weekend with accommodations at Sunriver or Bend Oregon. Due to its location in drier Central Oregon Mt. Bachelor offers some of the driest and lightest snow in the Pacific Northwest and a lot of it! It’s not uncommon for Mt. Bachelor to see 500″ of snowfall. Eleven lifts take riders to 88 runs and 360-degree skiing including the top of Mt. Bachelor to 9065 feet.
