Oregon Ski Vacations

Oregon is famous for the various ski slopes found around the state, and if you are planning on taking a ski vacation, you should definitely consider visiting Timberline Lodge, located near Mt. Hood in Oregon.

There is quite a bit of history behind the lodge and in the area, starting with the fact that the lodge that was built during the Great Depression by a master craftsman. The Timberline Lodge also has a bit of more recent history attached to it. Part of the movie, “The Shining,” was filmed here. Many of the ‘outside’ shots were done at Timberline Lodge.

The lodge was made entirely by hand, and it is well preserved. Special details like its hand woven draperies and hand-hewn beams add to the rustic charm and rich history of the place.

The top elevation at Timberline Lodge is 8,504 with a vertical drop of 2,501. There are six chair lifts to accommodate skiers. The lodge sits in the middle of 1400 acres consisting of 35 ski trails. The trails are perfect for beginners, intermediates, and experts, so there are slopes for every level of skier here.

One of the most unique things about Timberline is that it is the one place in the United States that offers year-round snow skiing. Palmer Snowfield is part of the Timberline Resort, and it is permanently covered with snow. Beginners are not always allowed on Palmer snowfield – the conditions are considered each day when making this determination.

There are other activities here as well as the skiing, including snowboarding, hiking, snowshoeing, and lodge tours – all of which are the main attractions at Timberline. Here, it is all about the powder!

You can also witness some of the wonders of nature in this area, like Mt. Hood, which is an active volcano (though considered to be dormant). Occasionally, tremors are felt, and steam vents are often visible.

You’ve got a nice variety of dining choices around the slopes as well. After building up an appetite skiing, you can stop in at The Cascade Dining Room, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, but the hours do change with the seasons. Other fare can be found at the Ram’s Head Bar, the Blue Ox bar, the Wy’East Kitchen Cafeteria, the Market Café, and the Mt. Hood Brewing Company.

One important thing to note is that rental equipment is not available at Timberline. You must bring your own equipment. However, smaller items such as gloves and goggles can be purchased at the lodge, along with some clothing items. There is a snowboard and ski school on the premises, and private and group lessons are available.

If the idea of a ‘rustic’ ski vacation appeals to you, as opposed to trips with accommodations that are a bit fancier, then Timberline Lodge in Oregon is the place to be! Again, it is definitely all about the history and the powder here. However, whether you ski or not, you must not miss the Magic Mile, which offers a panoramic view of the Cascade Mountains that cannot be matched!