The Definitive Guide To Oregon's Best Ski Resorts
by Aventura on February 01, 2023
The state of Oregon has some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States, and it's no surprise that there are so many ski resorts in Oregon. Oregon is home to a handful of ski resorts that offer everything from beginner runs to double black diamond terrain. The state's ski scene has grown over the years, and with new lifts, terrain parks, and other amenities coming online every year, it's no wonder why so many people are choosing Oregon for their wintertime adventure.
The Oregon ski scene is growing every year as more people find out about the beauty of these mountains and want to come to experience them first-hand. Here you will find a guide to seven of the best ski resorts in Oregon, including their location, what they offer guests, and other information on each resort.
Mt Bachelor is a massive resort that has terrain for all ability levels, including beginner and intermediate runs. It also offers some of the best night skiing in the state, which makes it an attractive destination for families and young skiers who want to learn on the slopes after dark. The resort is located just outside Bend, which makes it a great place to stay if you're planning a long weekend trip or a longer stay in Central Oregon.
Mount Bachelor is one of the biggest ski area in North America, with more than 4,323 acres of skiable terrain. With 101 named routes and 3,365 feet of vertical, there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the mountain.
There are a total of 12 lifts on the mountain, eight of them are high-speed quads that will take you right back to the summit. The resort's elevation is high, but it's not nearly as high as other of Colorado's equivalent ski areas, therefore the resort's impacts on visitors are less severe.
Timberline Lodge is one of the most iconic ski resorts in North America thanks to its proximity to Mt Hood and its beautiful lodge building with sweeping views of Mt Hood from nearly every room in the hotel. Timberline Lodge offers hundreds of acres of trails that are perfect for beginner skiers who want to get started with snow sports without feeling like they're out of their depth on advanced terrain.
The nine lifts at Timberline, including five quad chairs, provide access to the resort's forty-one designated trails. Seventy-five percent of the runs are considered easy to moderate, making them ideal for first-timers and intermediates. This impressive cliff face drops 3,690 feet straight down, making it the Northwest's steepest.
Mt Hood Skibowl is the perfect ski resort to go to for the day or even a whole weekend because it is less than an hour away from Portland. During the winter months when daylight ends at about 4 o'clock, almost half of the trails are illuminated so skiers and snowboarders may enjoy the slopes far into the night. Night skiing at Mount Hood Skibowl is more popular than at any other U.S. resort.
Over a total of 960 acres, four chairlifts and five surface lifts provide access to a total of 69 designated routes. Despite being lower than other Mount Hood resorts, this one gets an incredible 25 feet of snow each year. Both of these parks contain cutting-edge equipment.
Skiers will find several challenging routes, notably in the West Bowl region and accessible from the Upper Bowl Chair. However, the slopes accessible from the Multopor Chair are gentler, making them ideal for skiers of varying abilities.
Mt. Hood Meadows, the largest of the five ski resorts on the famous Cascade peak, can be reached in about 90 minutes from Portland. Skiers and riders of all skill levels will be kept occupied for days on end by the resort's 2,777 feet of vertical and 87 routes. Heather Canyon has some of the greatest grooming in the region, making it a great choice for skiers of all skill levels, while the gated steeps will delight professionals. Hike-to terrain provides an additional 1,700 feet of vertical, allowing skiers to experience a thigh-burning, continuous vertical descent of over 4,500 feet. There are no accommodations that are ski-in/ski-out, but there is a wide variety of places to stay in the neighboring towns of Government Camp and Welches.
Mount Ashland Ski Area is a family-friendly resort that’s open for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. The ski area has six chairlifts and a fun run that is suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers. It also has one of the largest snowboard parks in Oregon, with more than 20 features. A summer tubing area provides fun for the whole family.
The 6,383-foot-high peak receives about 22 feet of snow annually due to its advantageous location.
Over 240 skiable acres and serviced by five lifts, the resort offers skiers and snowboarders a total of 44 designated lines. Lots of space to run thanks to the mountain's 1,150-foot vertical drop, and the bowl runs are particularly great when it snows. The top snowboarders and freestylers may test their skills on the boxes, rails, and jumps found in the terrain parks.
Anthony Lakes Ski Area is one of those rare places that has seen steady growth over time. It's been operating continuously since 1939! That alone makes it unique among Oregon ski areas that have come and gone over the past century or so (and there were many). In recent years, Anthony Lakes has added two new chairlifts to bring lift capacity up — perfect for families with young children who want to be able to get up early and enjoy some fresh powder before heading home for lunch!
Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort is situated at an impressive 7,100 feet in elevation, making it the highest base area in all of Oregon. The main chairlift will take you another 900 feet higher, to a 1,000-acre alpine terrain.
Nearly 21 feet of snow falls every season in this alpine ground, providing skiers with plenty of the white powder they crave on each of the 21 named runs.
Takeaway
So you want to hit the slopes of Oregon but don't know where to start? It doesn't matter whether you're a newbie or a more experienced skier, there are resorts for every skill level and budget. Get yourself some lift tickets and go make your way up those mountains!
