Skiing and riding in the Pacific Northwest offer a terrific experience due to the volcanoes and glaciers that provide almost year-round access to snow. The region receives hundreds of inches of snow annually, ensuring moisture-filled snow sticks to steeper faces. Oregon offers a variety of ski resorts, perfect for different preferences and family needs.
Key Ski Areas in Oregon
Oregon boasts 12 unique ski areas, each offering a distinct experience. The state averages around 400 inches of snowfall annually, providing excellent conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. Here are some of the top ski resorts in Oregon:
Mt. Bachelor
5 Tips for Skiing Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor, located near Bend, is Oregon's largest ski area with the highest skiable elevation in the state. This destination resort is known for its light, dry snow and extensive terrain. All winter travel routes to Bachelor go through either Bend or Sunriver. There are 101 runs, served by 12 lifts. Mt. Bachelor also has 35 miles of nordic skiing trails with runs for all abilities. It sits on the east bank of the Cascade Mountain Range so the snow is generally light and dry - an exception to the Pacific NW rule of thumb. There’s lots of it, too: 462 inches. Lodging is plentiful in Bend and Sunriver.
Mt. Hood Meadows
Mt. Hood Meadows offers a variety of high-alpine terrain suitable for all skill levels, with intermediate skiers and boarders enjoying 50% of the terrain. It’s a big mountain sporting 2,150 skiable acres and a long vertical drop of 4,477 feet. There are 11 lifts. Mt. Hood Meadows is one of Oregon's largest ski resorts and the largest ski resort on Mt. Hood. Located about 90 miles from Portland, this resort does not offer on-site lodging.
Read also: British Columbia Ski Resorts
Timberline Lodge
Timberline Lodge is an iconic destination located on Mt. Hood. There are 4,540 vertical feet and the ski mountain is located near the top of an 11,245-foot volcano: Mt. Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon. The Palmer Express high-speed quad operates in the Spring and Summer seasons only usually June 1 through beginning of September (snow dependent). Mt. Hood elevation is 11,245 feet and Timberline Lodge sits at 6,000 feet. Silcox Hut is at 7,000 feet. There are 9 lifts, including 6 high-speed quads and 2 snowcats. Historic Timberline Lodge was built in 1937 and staying there completes your experience. Timberline maintains multiple terrain parks throughout the year with enough jibs, jumps, and pipes to keep even the hardest of the hardcore happy. Timberline Lodge offers night skiing on 121 ha of its varied terrain.
Mt. Hood Skibowl
Mt. Hood Skibowl in Government Camp is the closest ski and snowboard area to Portland and the largest night skiing area in the United States. With 300 inches of annual snowfall and a vertical drop of 1,500 feet, it’s a close-by playground for skiers and boarders of all levels. There are multiple terrain parks and a snowtubing area. There are 69 runs over 960 skiable acres, served by 4 double chairs and 6 surface lifts at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl.
Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort is located in Eastern Oregon near La Grande and Baker City. There’s a 900-foot vertical accessed by a triple chair and 2 surface lifts over 1,100 skiable acres. The 21 runs are suited for all abilities. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and with a base elevation over 7,000 feet, the snow is generally powdery. Lodging is in Baker City.
Hoodoo Ski Area
Hoodoo has been a favorite of families from the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon for many years. The area sits atop Santiam Pass and is accessible from either side of the Cascade Range. The vertical is 1,035 feet. There’s plenty of lodging nearby, but an excellent choice is Black Butte Ranch.
Mt. Ashland
Mt. Ashland is just north of the California border, 8 miles off Interstate 5. The runs and lifts are named after Shakespeare plays and characters. Mt. Ashland's specialty is a cirque, a giant glacial bowl that is corniced, steep, and demanding. Double-black in fact. There are 4 chairlifts, 2 of which serve the higher elevations, and vertical drop of 1,150 feet. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a popular year-round draw. The day lodge is Elizabethan in style.
Read also: Snowboarding near Bend
Willamette Pass
Willamette Pass is in Klamath Country, West Central Oregon. Its claim to fame is “RTS,” one of the steepest runs in the world, which at its steepest point is 52 degrees. The vertical drop is 1,573 feet and there are 555 acres on which to play. There are 29 trails, with nearly half marked intermediate, served by 6 lifts. Willamette Pass usually picks up 430 inches of snow.
Cooper Spur Ski Area
Cooper Spur sits on the north side of Mt. Hood. The combination of affordable pricing, beginner to intermediate level terrain for downhill riding, and small size of the ski area, makes it a spot for families. There are just 50 acres of terrain, 10 runs and a 350-foot vertical. Transportation is via a double chair and a rope tow. The Alpine Lodge has a covered, outdoor deck.
Oregon Ski Resort Statistics
Here's a summary of some key ski resorts in Oregon with their statistics:
| Ski Resort | Elevation (Top - Bottom) | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Bachelor | 2763 m - 1737 m | 98.9 km | 15 | $224 |
| Mt. Hood Meadows | 2225 m - 1378 m | 90 km | 12 | $169 |
| Timberline | 2603 m - 1478 m | 31 km | 9 | $170 |
| Mt. Hood Skibowl | 1510 m - 1120 m | 65 km | 9 | $89 |
| Willamette Pass | 2036 m - 1560 m | 29 km | 5 | $66 |
Family-Friendly Ski Resorts
Most ski resorts in Oregon offer everything a family needs for a fun ski and snowboard day. Consider these family-friendly areas:
- Hoodoo Ski Area
- Willamette Pass-Crescent
- Timberline Lodge
- Mt. Hood Meadows
- Mt. Hood Skibowl
- Mt. Bachelor
Ski Resorts Near Portland
If you're traveling from Portland, you have two main regions to choose from:
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- Mt. Hood Region:
- Mt. Hood Skibowl: 59 miles, 1.5 hours
- Mt. Hood Meadows: 63.5 miles, 1.5 hours
- Timberline: 66 miles, 1.5 hours
- Cooper Spur: 84 miles, 1.75 hours
- Mt. Bachelor Region:
- Hoodoo: 134 miles, 2.33 hours
- Mt. Bachelor: 166 miles, 3.15 hours