Mt Hood Meadows, Oregon, USA

General Feel.

Mt Hood Meadows is a great resort and is by far the best and biggest resort in the area. Mount Hood has a wide variety of killer terrain and deep Pacific North West powder. It's been called one of the best secrets of Oregon. Most people there are locals are Portland residents who love to ski. It's definitely a place worth skiing for a day, a week, or even a season.

Tips.

• Don't miss Heather Canyon, you can't see it from any chairlifts, but it's the best expert only terrain around.
• Some lifts close in the middle of the week due to lack of skiers.
• It's heavy maritime snow, so it's best right after a storm, which they get a lot of.
• Mt Hood has a long season and as long as there is snow there are summer ski camps for racers, free riders, and park rats on the upper slopes.

Mt Hood Meadows has great skiing. It's sweet high alpine terrain, nicely spaced trees, and fast groomers make it a blast to ski. You could ski here for years and still discover new lines that make you smile form ear to ear.

So if you want to charge, the best place to go is Heather Canyon, which is looker's right of the Cascade Express Chair. This is wide-open bowl skiing and almost always has great snow. The trails all run together because the terrain is wide open and above tree line. Depending on where you enter on the ridge, you'll always find new cool lines like Pluto, Memorial Bowl, Heather Woods, or Hammer Bowl. Try taking the Superbowl Snowcat for some extra vertical and epic chutes. It's well worth it.

The other area you need to spend at least part of your day skiing is the Private Reserve, a full gladed ski zone, with runs like God's Wall, Yoda, Elk, and Picnic Rock. This place has some of the best tree skiing on the mountain – long, steep, and consistent.

Family Rating.

Mt Hood Meadows is a pretty good place for families. It has good terrain for all ability levels. The views are to die for, when it's clear. Most people that ski Mount Hood are from Portland and it's a nice way to escape the big city for a day or a weekend.

Kids will enjoy ski school or day care. Or if you're there for a holiday, try a Youth Camp, where you learn to ski and can bond with the same kids for a whole week. Kids will also love the tubing hill and night skiing – they are always an adventure.

Food and Restaurants.

Mount Hood Meadows has a nice selection of dining experiences. Located in the South Lodge are the Schuss Grill and Manuel's Cantina, which are great for a quick breakfast or lunch. If you want to eat on the mountain, grab a sub from Vista Sub or a wrap from Black Diamond wraps – they're both really delicious. If it's a clear day, eat at the Mazot Eatery on the mountain to enjoy the incredible Oregon views.

Bars.

The bar scene here is okay. As Mount Hood Meadows is not a major destination resort, it's not the liveliest scene. But definitely sit back and enjoy a North West microbrews from one of the two full service bars at the Alpenstrube Restaurant and Loft. They are quite tasty.

Disclosure

Compiled exclusively for ski-adventure-guide.com by Mr D, a skier of course.