Mt. Hood Skibowl, nestled in the Mt. Hood National Forest about 60 miles southeast of Portland, Oregon, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of winter sports. With a rich history dating back to the early days of skiing in the region, Skibowl has evolved into one of the largest night skiing resorts in the United States, offering a wide array of activities for skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Mt. Hood Skibowl is the perfect destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
A Storied Past
Mt. Hood Skibowl's origin dates back to 1928, making the resort one of the oldest remaining ski resorts in the country. The ski area began as two separate resorts Skibowl and Multorpor. The sport of skiing grew each year in the 1900’s as equipment became available commercially.
In 1928, Everett Sickler developed Jump Hill on Multorpor Mountain. The following year, the Cascade Ski Club began holding competitions on the hill, which brought national recognition after hosting a National Ski Association event. These tournaments would attract jumpers from all over the west. More importantly for the economy, these jump events would attract huge crowds of spectators.
By 1938, Raymond Hughes had built the first tow rope on Multorpor on what is now the ski run named, Raceway. In 1937, the Warming Hut opened at Skibowl. Also, the mountain's first rope tow was installed by Boyd French.
Read also: The History of Ski Bowl
Once separate operations, Skibowl and Multorpor merged in 1964. Carl Reynolds and Everett Darr bought Skibowl and combined it with Multorpor. The two resorts came together in 1964 when Carl Reynolds and Everett Darr bought Skibowl.
It was not until Kirk Hanna purchased the resort out of bankruptcy in 1987 that the Mt. Hood Skibowl became a popular place to ski at night. In 1993, Kirk Hanna purchased the first winch cat in the Pacific Northwest to groom the Upper Basin trails.
In the quarter century that Kirk Hanna has owned the combined resort, most of his development was at Skibowl, a summer adventure park and Collins Lake Resort.
Key Milestones in Skibowl's History
- 1928: Everett Sickler develops Jump Hill on Multorpor Mountain.
- 1929: The newly-formed Cascade Ski Club began holding competitions at Multorpor’s Jump Hill.
- 1937: Work began on the Historic Warming Hut located on the shelf between Lower and Upper Bowl at Skibowl and The first ropetow was installed at Skibowl by French Boyd.
- 1938: Raymond Hughes built Multorpor Mountain’s first rope tow.
- 1946: The first Lower Bowl chair was installed by “Sandy” Sandberg.
- 1949: Upper Bowl Chair.
- 1964: The two resorts came together when Carl Reynolds and Everett Darr bought Skibowl.
- 1987: Kirk Hanna purchased Skibowl out of bankruptcy and formed H-Ski Corporation.
- 1993: Skibowl purchased the first winch cat in the northwest.
Winter Wonderland
With an average annual snowfall of more than 300 inches, Mt. Hood Skibowl becomes a winter wonderland. The average snowfall at the area is 300 inches (762 cm), with an average consolidated base around 100 inches (254 cm) and 65 marked trails.
Most of the skiing at Mt. Hood Skibowl takes place on Tom Dick and Harry Mountain. This mountain has three summits, with the tallest being 5,070 feet. This ski area has a 1,500-foot vertical drop.
Skibowl is famous for being the biggest place in the United States for night skiing! With 37 night lit runs, Mt. Hood Skibowl Offers The Most Night Skiing Terrain In North America. The total skiable area encompasses an area of 960 acres (388 ha) (about two thirds of this is lit).
That’s because most ski areas offer a couple of groomed runs along a single lift. Not Skibowl. Skibowl has the biggest night skiing acreage in America. It also has the best night skiing acreage in all of America.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Skibowl offers a wide range of activities for non-skiers and riders of all ages, including Mt. Hood’s only conveyor assisted Snow Tube Park, the World’s Only Cosmic Tubing®, and Frosty’s snow play area.
With a wide range of activities to choose from, including skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoeing, you can pack your day with endless adventure.
At Mt. Hood Skibowl, you’ll find a wide range of activities, for skiers and non-skiers to make the most of your winter adventure.
For those looking for an adrenaline rush, take a snowmobile tour through the scenic terrain offered by our sister company, Mt. Hood Outfitters. Make sure to reserve your spot online for Cosmic Tubing.
night skiing at mt hood ski bowl
Summer Fun at Mt. Hood Skibowl
Skibowl isn't just for winter fun! In summer, you can go mountain biking. There's also an adventure park with alpine slides, zip-lines, and even bungee jumping. It's a great spot for outdoor activities all year round.
The Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl encompasses 960 acres, two sky chairs to the top of the mountain (5,027 feet), over 40 miles of Mt. Bike trails and over 20 activities where you control the action.
Skibowl has the only summer park of this kind on the West Coast. We have been doing summer attractions since the Alpine Slide opened in 1981 and have been growing it ever since. We have one of the only lift accessed Mt.
Amenities and Dining
After a long day of skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Hood Skibowl, treat yourself to some delicious food and drink. Skibowl offers a variety of dining options to suit all tastes, from quick bites at the base lodge to full-service restaurants.
Savor hearty soups, fresh salads, and gourmet sandwiches, or indulge in a warm drink by the fire. With plenty of options to choose from, including gluten-free and vegetarian options, you can refuel and recharge for another day of adventure on the mountain.
Plan Your Visit
Mt. Hood Skibowl is a fun place to visit on Mount Hood in Oregon. The resort is the closest ski venue to Portland, with an elevation of 3,600 feet (1,097 m) at the lodge, rising to just over 5,000 feet (1,524 m) at the summit.
History lovers will adore skiing in this area that is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States. It is easy to get to this location within the Mt. Hood National Forest because it is only about 27 miles to Sandy and 60 miles to Portland. Highway 26 runs to Government Camp and is an all-weather road kept in excellent condition all year long.
Stay at one of our conveniently located lodging options, where you can wake up and walk straight to the Snow Tube Park or the lifts. Take a lesson to hone your skills, without having to worry about traffic or parking.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time visitor, Skibowl offers something for everyone. You’re in for an unforgettable winter experience!