Last Updated on 7th June 2024 by Steve
Oregon may not offer the range of skiing on offer at the Lake Tahoe ski resorts further south in California, or the type of mega-resort such as the skiing on offer at Park City over in Utah.
But while the Oregon ski resorts may lack the amount of skiable terrain or vertical on offer in other states, they do offer perfectly serviceable ski areas within easy reach of the major cities in the state.
Two of the largest locations for ski resorts – Mount Bachelor and Mount Hood – are spectacular volcanic peaks rising above the surrounding countryside.
Map of ski resorts in Oregon
Mt Bachelor Ski Resort
The skiing on Mount Bachelor is the most extensive in the state and arguably the largest in the Pacific Northwest. The Mt Bachelor ski area is located around 30 minutes’ drive from the city of Bend in central Oregon.
This Oregon ski resort is probably the biggest ‘unknown’ area in the USA. It claims to be the sixth-largest area in the USA with 4300 acres of skiable terrain. However, there is a catch: much of this skiable terrain is made up of ungroomed and unpatrolled bowls which can only reached by the single summit chair and are only suitable for advanced and expert skiers and boarders.
Should the weather force the closure of the chairlift the amount of skiing available at Mount Bachelor drops dramatically. The number of marked runs prepared daily is less than 40% of the claimed total at 1600 acres.
There is no accommodation at the ski area, with nearby Bend offering plenty of options for all budgets.
Mt Bachelor ski video
Mt. Bachelor ski stats
Lifts: The Mt. Bachelor ski area has 11 lifts, including eight quad chairlifts
Terrain: The skiable area covers slightly more than 4300 acres, with 1600 acres groomed.
Vertical drop: The difference between the valley and the top station is 3365 feet
Longest run: The longest ski run at Mt. Bachelor is around four miles in length
Accommodation for Mt Bachelor skiing
As mentioned previously, there is plenty of accommodation in Bend (as well as lively nightlife) but here are a couple of hotel options for those planning to stay near the ski resort:
Peppertree Inn at BendThe Peppertree Inn is part of the Best Western Premier brand and offers rooms and suites near the Oregon State University Cascades campus. Facilities include a fitness area and swimming pool and a complimentary hot breakfast is offered daily.
Website: www.bestwesternpremierbend.com
Oxford HotelThe Oxford Hotel is a boutique establishment in downtown Bend offering 59 suites. Facilities include a spa, sauna, and steam room as well as a fitness area. The ROAM restaurant is located on the lower level of the hotel.
Website: www.oxfordhotelbend.com
Ski Area Website: www.mtbachelor.com
Mt Hood Meadows
Mount Hood Meadows ski resort is one of a number of ski areas clustered around the base of the highest mountain in Oregon. It is located to the south-east of Mt Hood and is the largest of the ski resorts in this region.
It was opened more than 50 years ago and has a good reputation for all levels of skier, with some extensive ungroomed canyons for experts which are opened when conditions are satisfactory.
Mt Hood is only short drive from Portland and the Hood River, so the areas here can get crowded in high season and at the weekends and public holidays. Mt Hood Meadows has no accommodation at the base area, with the closest options being at other ski areas (Cooper Spur and Timberline Lodge, for example) or the limited choice at Government Camp and further away at Mt Hood Village.
Mt Hood Meadows ski video
Mt. Hood Meadows ski stats
Lifts: The Mt. Hood Meadows ski area has 11 chairlifts offering access to 87 trails
Terrain: The skiable terrain covers 2150 acres.
Vertical drop: The difference between the valley and the top station is 2800 feet
Longest run: The longest ski run at Mt. Hood Meadows is around three miles in length
Ski Area Website: www.skihood.com
Timberline Ski Area
Timberline ski area is located on the southern flank of Mount Hood above the settlement of Government Camp. It now consists of both the original Timberline Lodge ski area and the small Summit Pass operation which rises from Highway 26.
Combining the two now gives the longest vertical in the USA with a total drop of 4540 feet from the top of the snowcat-served Palmer lift to the bottom of the original Summit Pass area.
The top skiing at Timberline also claims to be the only year-round skiing in North America, as the snowcat service is replaced by the Palmer high-speed quad lift for the summer months.
Timberline ski video
Timberline ski stats
Lifts: The Timberline ski area has eight chairlifts offering access to over 40 ski runs
Terrain: The skiable terrain covers just under 1700 acres
Vertical drop: The difference between the valley and the top station is 4540 feet
Longest run: The longest ski run at Timberline is just over three miles in length
Ski accommodation at Timberline
Timberline LodgeTimberline Lodge is a historic building located at the mid-station of the ski area. The ski-in ski-out lodge, dating from the 1930s, offers 70 guest rooms of various sizes, as well three restaurants
Website: www.timberlinelodge.com
Mt Hood Ski Bowl
Mt Hood Ski Bowl is the third sizeable ski area in the Mount Hood area. The skiing here is located to the south of the main Highway 26 on two hills just before the settlement of Government Camp.
The ski resort is not only the closest to the city of Portland but also offers substantial night skiing options, with a claim to be “America’s largest night ski area”. Just over half of the ski trails are opened for night skiing seven days a week during the winter season.
Skiers who prefer the day will find a good mix of trails for all abilities, with top to bottom trails suitable for nervous intermediates to some challenging double black-diamond descents for expert skiers and boarders. As the closest ski area to the coastal regions in the Mt Hood National Forest, the skiing can get crowded on weekends and high season periods.
Mt Hood Skibowl video
Mount Hood Skibowl stats
Lifts: The ski area has four chairlifts and three drag lifts offering access to a total of 69 trails
Terrain: The skiable terrain covers just under 1000 acres
Vertical drop: The difference between the valley and the top station is 1500 feet
Longest run: The longest ski run at the Skibowl is around three miles in length
Ski area website: skibowl.com
Ski Accommodation at Mount Hood
There is a small amount of accommodation available at Government Camp and near the base of the SkiBowl area, along with the Timberline Lodge and Cooper Spur options mentioned elsewhere on the page.
Check the map below for accommodation availability in Government Camp and the surrounding region. Enter the proposed dates of travel and then hover over the prices to see the accommodation. Click on the price to check availability.
Willamette Pass Ski Resort
Willamette Pass is a smaller ski area in central Oregon located at Odell Lake on the Pacific Crest Trail. It offers 29 runs on two peaks with a total of skiable terrain of just over 550 acres. The trails range from beginner through to the extremely steep RTS run and are served by four chairlifts and one magic carpet. Some accommodation is available at Odell Lake and the nearest town is Oakridge to the north-west.
Ski Area Website: www.willamettepass.com
Hoodoo Ski Area
Hoodoo ski area is another central Oregon ski resort. It is located on Santiam Pass near the town of Sisters and offers just over 1000 feet of vertical on 34 trails. The skiable terrain is around 800 acres and is served by five chairlifts. The ski area offers night skiing at the weekends. A good choice of accommodation is available in Sisters and in the nearby Black Butte area between Sisters and Hoodoo.
Ski Area Website: skihoodoo.com
Mt Ashland Ski Area
The non-profit ski area at Mount Ashland is located a few miles off I-5 in southern Oregon near the Oregon-California border. The best choice of accommodation can be found in Ashland 20 miles to the north. The vertical of 1150 feet is served by four chairlifts and a beginner area rope tow. The 34 runs offer a variety of levels, but with a majority more suited to advanced or expert skiers, with chutes available in a back bowl.
Ski Area Website: www.mtashland.com
Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort is the home of skiing in eastern Oregon and is open Thursday to Sunday. A base elevation of 7100 feet makes it the highest base for an Oregon ski resort and a good location to get some fresh powder skiing. The ski area has one chairlift, a rope tow and a magic carpet serving 900 feet of vertical and 21 trails. Snowcat skiing is also available when snow conditions permit. The nearest town of any size is Baker City on I-84.
Ski Area Website: anthonylakes.com
Cooper Spur Ski Area
The Cooper Spur ski area is on the north-eastern slopes of Mount Hood and is the smallest of the ski resorts near the mountain. There is a single chairlift and a rope tow serving ten runs with a vertical drop of 350 feet. Cooper Spur Mountain Resort offers accommodation in hotel rooms, condos and cabins and can also serve as a base for the other ski areas in the Mount Hood region.
Ski Area Website: www.cooperspur.com
Warner Canyon Ski Area
The skiing at Warner Canyon is located in southern Oregon near the town of Lakeview. It is one of the oldest ski hills in the state and is operated by a local ski club on a non-profit basis. The family ski area has one chairlift which covers 300 acres of terrain and a vertical drop of 780 feet. There are 22 marked runs mainly of beginner and intermediate level. The closest accommodation is in nearby Lakeview.
Ski Area Website: warnercanyonski.com
