WHEN YOU GO: |
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Getting There:
Mt. Hood is about an hour's drive east of the Portland Airport. The resorts of Timberline and Mount Hood SkiBowl are located off Hwy 26. Mt. Hood Meadows is located on Hwy 35, ten miles east of Government Camp, or 36 miles west of Hood River.
Staying There:
Timberline Lodge is a National Historic Landmark that has 60 rooms available to the public. Room reservations can be made by calling 800-547-1406.
Lodging facilities located in Welches are just 25 minutes from the slopes. The Resort at the Mountain (800-669-7666) has special skier rates and comfortable accommodations. Cascade Property Management (503-622-5688) offers homes and condos for rent.
Government Camp is just minutes from Mt. Hood SkiBowl. Mt. Hood Inn, (800-443-7777) has skier packages and complimentary continental breakfasts.
Hood River, just 35 minutes east of Mt. Hood Meadows, has a number of properties catering to skiers: The Hood River Hotel (800-386-1859) and The Best Western Hood River Inn (800-828-7873) both offer ski and lodging packages. The Columbia Gorge Hotel (800-345-1921) has classic European ambiance and world class dining.
Fast Facts:
Mount Hood Ski Areas are all within 1-1/2 hours from the Portland Airport and offer night skiing throughout the winter. All three have terrain dedicated to snowboarders.
Timberline Ski Area has seven lifts. Thirty runs on the mountain are dedicated to 30% Beginner, 60% Intermediate and 10% Advanced terrain. The Palmer Express Chair is open for year round skiing and snowboarding. Top elevation: 8,500 ft; Base: 4,350 ft. Snow Phone: 503-222-2211.
Mount Hood Meadow's ski season is typically from Thanksgiving weekend through the first weekend of May. Eleven lifts, including three high-speed quads, access 2,000 skiable acres dedicated to 14% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 20% Advanced, and 15% Expert. Top elevation: 7,300 ft; Base: 4,523 ft. Snow Phone: 503-227-7669.
Mount Hood SkiBowl, the closest area to Portland, has 20% Beginner, 50% Intermediate and 30% Expert Terrain. Ski season is from mid November through April. Four double and 5 surface tows access 65 runs with 33 lit runs for night skiing. Top elevation: 5,066 ft. Base: 3,566 ft. Snow Phone: 503-222-2695.
Useful Ski Books:
Timberline and a Century of Skiing on Mount Hood, by Jean Arthur.
Paperback, 1998.
Useful WWW sites for the Mount Hood region and skiing in general are:
Mount Hood | http://www.allmounthood.com/
Columbia Gorge | http://www.allmounthood.com/columbia_gorge/
Bend, Oregon | http://www.allbendoregon.com
Timberline:
History, lodging, current snow conditions, employment opportunities
Mt. Hood Meadows: News, ski
conditions, prices, employment, etc.
Mt. Hood SkiBowl: Area facts
AMI News On-The-Go: Snow
Reports, ski news, party line, WomenSki, etc.