Oregon Skiing and Other Winter SportsOregon skiing and snowboarding areas have grown so much over the last 40 years. When I first started skiing there were three major ski resorts in Oregon. Timberline Lodge, Ski Bowl/Multipor on Mt. Hood, and Mt. Bachelor near Bend. Hoodoo existed at that time but I think all they had was a rope tow or maybe a T-Bar. WOW! Things have changed.
The resort areas below all have runs for alpine skiing and snowboarding. Most of them have nordic trails and most of them have night skiing. There are also areas that offer snow cat skiing in the back country. There are cross country ski areas outside of the commercial resorts and also snow mobiling. Specific details including lodging facilities are on individual pages. Be sure you have a Sno Park Permit--see below.
Want to know the latest news on ski areas in Oregon? Visit
Oregon Ski News
Oregon Skiing on Mt. Hood
abkfenris, Creative Commons
Mt. Hood still has the largest number of ski areas and each one has their own special attraction and uniqueness. The great thing about skiing on Mt. Hood is that you can leave your home or hotel in Portland at 7:00 am and be riding up the lift by 9:00 am.
Skibowl
is closest to Portland and is popular for nightskiing for those who just want to drive up from Portland for some skiing after work.
Timberline
has skiing on the Palmer Glacier during the summer and therefore has the longest ski season in the country.
Mt. Hood Meadows
on the east side of the mountain has more powder than the others.
Cooper Spur
on the north side of the mountain has remained small and is a favorite for families and for those who want to be away from the crowds. All of these areas are popular with snowboarders as well.
Oregon Skiing in Central Oregon
frozenchipmunk, Creative Commons
Mt. Bachelor
in Central Oregon near
Bend
attracts alpine skiers, snowboarders, and cross country skiers.
Hoodoo
on the Santiam Pass is 30 miles from Sisters, Oregon and 95 miles from Salem, Oregon and is another ski area where people go who want to get away from the crowds. It is a great place for families to go who want to tube with the kids.
Willamette Pass,
70 miles from Eugene, Oregon, has the state's only six-passenger high speed lift. You can ski both the north and south face.
Oregon Skiing in Eastern OregonAnthony Lakes in Eastern Oregon is 45 miles from La Grande and 35 miles from Baker City. It is mostly intermediate and expert level slopes and also offers snowcat skiing on nearby peaks. Ferguson Ridge is five miles outside of Enterprise It is open on weekends and is run by a ski club. It only has a T-bar and a rope tow but this is said to be the most beautiful ski area in Oregon. Spout Springs is located in the Blue Mountains. It has two double chairlifts for the alpine runs and also extensive nordic trails.Southern Oregon
lightcap, Creative Commons
Warner Canyon is nine miles from Lakeview and is run by a ski club. There is one chair lift and 22 runs. The largest ski area in Southern Oregon is
Mt. Ashland
in the Siskiyou Mountains near Ashland has four chair lifts and 23 runs. Half of the terrain is for advanced skiers. As I am writing this (Sept 20th) it is lightly snowing at Mt. Ashland. Mt. Baily Snowcats is not really a ski area. Located at
Diamond Lake Resort
near Crater Lake they have a snowcat that will take you into the back country for some great skiing.
You need to buy a Sno Park Permit to park in any snow recreation area in Oregon even if it is a resort. This includes areas in national forests that have trails for cross country skiing. If they have a parking lot that is plowed in the winter, you need a permit. You can buy these at any Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles branch, sporting goods stores, and at winter recreation resorts. A daily permit is $3.00. A permit for three consecutive days is $7.00 and a season permit is $20.00. The permits need to be displayed in the windshield of your car. You can transfer your permit from one car to another.
Return to Great Oregon Vacations from Oregon Skiing
|
