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Winter Sports

Mt. Hood National Forest is centered around its namesake mountain, which means the Forest has plenty of snowy destinations in the winter. With more than 20 Sno-Parks and multiple commercial ski resorts, anyone can find their ideal winter adventure!

Skiing information can be found via individual resort websites:

Sno-Parks at Mt. Hood

Read the Guide to Winter Recreation brochure to learn where to play this winter.

You must have a valid Sno-Park Permit in your vehicle windshield in designated winter recreation areas November 1 through April 30. Sno-Park Permits are managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Oregon Sno-Park permits are available online and at local vendors. 

Did you know?

You can skip the traffic and ride transit to the slopes! Grab your skis and ride:

Safety & Ethics on Mt. Hood National Forest

Skiing/Snowboarding

Winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, are some of the most popular recreation opportunities on Mt. Hood National Forest.

Five commercial ski areas offer plenty of opportunities for downhill skiers at all levels:

  • Mt. Hood Meadows: 2,150 acres, 2,777 feet of vertical  rise (4,528ft to 7,305ft) and 13 lifts. Mt. Hood Meadows offers skiing (day and night), snowboarding, snowshoeing, a groomed Nordic Center, lessons and daycare services. Located on the SE flank of Mt. Hood
  • Mt. Hood Skibowl: 960 acres, 65 runs, and 1,500ft of vertical (3,600ft to 5,100ft) from easy to expert only terrain, 8 lifts. Skibowl offers day and night skiing, snowboarding, tubing (2 tubing lifts) and activities for children. Located near Gov’t Camp.
  • Timberline Lodge and Ski Area: 1,685 acres, 4.540ft of vertical (4,850ft to 8,540ft), and 10 lifts. Timberline offers year-round skiing (day and limited night operations) and snowboarding. Includes the famous, historic Timberline Lodge. Located on the south flank of Mt. Hood. Timberline Summit Pass (formerly known as Summit Ski Area) is now part of the Timberline Lodge Ski Area.
  • Cooper Spur: 50 acres, 350ft of vertical (4,000ft to 4,350ft) of beginner and intermediate level terrain, 2 lifts. Copper Spur offers skiing (day and night), snowboarding, instruction, groomed cross country skiing, snowshoeing and tubing (2 tubing lifts). Located on the NE flank of Mt. Hood.

Sledding/Tubing

Some of the best places for sledding and tubing are at sno-parks on Mt. Hood National Forest.

You must have a valid Sno-Park Permit in your vehicle windshield in designated winter recreation areas November 1 through April 30. Sno-Park Permits are managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Oregon Sno-Park permits are available online and at local vendors. 

Before heading out to sled, always make sure you visit TripCheck for highway conditions, check the weather forecast, and carry chains or traction tires for your vehicle. It's best to have a second or even third back-up option for sledding - if a sno-park is full, you cannot park on the highway and need to find somewhere else to recreate.

Snowmobiling

Visit TripCheck's Oregon Sno-Parks at Mt. Hood to find areas with snowmobiling options. 

You must have a valid Sno-Park permit in your vehicle windshield when you park in designated winter recreation areas November 1 through April 30. Oregon Sno-Park permits are available at DMV offices, local vendors, and online. 

The Mt. Hood Snowmobile Club and Columbia Gorge Power Sledders maintain a groomed system of snowmobile routes in partnership with the Mt. Hood National Forest. These clubs also maintain our warming shelters. Please respect the groomed winter trail system that the clubs work so hard to maintain.

Know Before You Go:

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are both wonderful ways to enjoy Mt. Hood in the winter. Snowshoeing is one of the most accessible winter sports; it's considered a great beginner activity and the gear is pretty affordable. Cross-country skiing is slightly more difficult, as it's faster paced and requires more athleticism.

  • Cooper Spur Nordic Center: Provides 6.5 kilometers of trails for skating, traditional striding, and snowshoeing. Cooper Spur Ski Area is a full-service ski area on the north side of Mt. Hood.
  • Mt. Hood Meadows Nordic Center: Offer up to 15 kilometers of groomed and set track through beautiful, wooded trails and meadows. The Nordic Center is also the starting point for the Elk Meadows and Sahalie Falls snowshoe trails. Snowshoeing is not allowed on the groomed Nordic ski trails, with only a couple of exceptions.
  • Oregon Nordic Club- Portland Chapter: Portland ONC is a nonprofit volunteer organization that promotes greater participation in outdoor recreation with an emphasis on Nordic & backcountry skiing. The club sponsors numerous overnight and day trips to skiing destinations in the Northwest, including on Mt. Hood.
  • Teacup Nordic: Operated by volunteers and dedicated to cross country skiing, Teacup offers 20 kilometers of groomed trails from beginner to challenging terrain. 

If you can walk, you can snowshoe!

Snowshoe Equipment 101

  • Bindings: deck size, cleats, optimal amount of cleats necessary for conditions, weight distribution, familiarity with proper fit, binding straps and buckling, etc.
  • Ski poles: very important for beginners, finding your balance, becoming familiar with widened stance; use adjustable poles and big baskets for a more stable trek in deep powder.

Outdoor Clothing

  • Insulated boots
  • Several wicking layers
  • Warm clothing such as wool - not cotton!
  • Ski bibs or snow pants
  • Socks, gloves, hat
  • Parka
  • Gaitors

Search for Winter Sports Opportunities

Showing: 1 - 10 of 29 results

Barlow Pass Sno-Park & Trailhead
Winter Sports Hiking
Barlow Pass Trailhead/Sno-Park is located along the Historic Barlow Road. There are several old-fashioned interpretive signs along the path. This trail also provides major access to the Pacific…

Bennett Pass Sno-Park & Trailhead
Hiking Winter Sports
This Sno-Park is a great option for recreating early in the winter season due to the higher elevation. Follow direction of Mt. Hood Meadows parking staff for access on busy days. This parking lot…

Billy Bob Sno-Park
Winter Sports
This area is a shared use corridor. There is access to ungroomed ski trails and groomed snowmobile trails. Snowmobile trails groomed regularly by the Columbia Gorge Power Sledders Snowmobile Club.…

Boy Scout Camp Sno-Park (White River)
Winter Sports
This is a parking area for the Boy Scout Lodge with room for about 25 cars. It is located on the west side of Highway 35 about 200 feet south of  White River West Sno-Park. No trailer parking.…

Clear Lake Butte Lookout
Site Closed
Outdoor Science and Learning Winter Sports
Of the nine peaks in Oregon’s Cascade Range, Mount Hood stands the tallest at 11,239 feet, thickly forested and capped with glaciers and snow. Clear Lake Lookout, perched on the mountain’s side…

Cooper Spur Mountain Resort
Winter Sports Biking
Cooper Spur Mountain Resort is a full-service ski area managed by Mt. Hood Meadows on the north side of Mt. Hood, which is popular with younger families. Cooper Spur Mountain Resort operates under…

Fivemile Butte Lookout
Site Open
Biking Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Outdoor Science and Learning Picnicking Winter Sports
Ponderosa pines, Douglas-fir and western hemlock provide a dense canopy over the mountainside, shading numerous creeks and providing a lush and varied habitat at Fivemile Butte. While hiking the many…

Frog Lake Sno-Park & Trailhead
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Winter Sports
SummerPicnic tables, garbage, and restroom facilities are available during summer months. In addition, a hitching pole for horses is available. With Mt. Hood visible from Frog Lake, this is a very…

Glacier View Sno-Park & Trailhead
Hiking Winter Sports
Space for 30 cars. No trailer access. Trailhead board with map. No buildings. Toilets maintained May 1 - October 31.Provides access to: Glacier View Trail and Pioneer Bridle Trail #795.

Last updated April 15th, 2025

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