Oregon Ski Vacations - American's Only Year-around Ski Area

American's only year-around ski area, the Timberline Lodge is located on Mount Hood in the state of Oregon. It is a full-service resort, famous for its ski slopes that stay open during the winter, spring, and summer due to its far northern locality, with summer for world-renowned summer skating. Mt. Hood is an active volcano which is considered to be dormant, occasional tremors being felt with visible steam vents, with Timberline Lodge being located at its 6,000-foot level. The winter season appeals to the beginner and intermediate skiers, with a few places reserved for skiing experts. The Timberline has 35 trails on 1,400 acres, with a top elevation of 8,504 feet and a vertical drop of 2,501, plus an annual snowfall of 550 inches. There are six chair lifts to accommodate the skiers, with cross country not available within the ski area, yet several trails can be found 4 to 8 miles away in the Mount Hood National Forest.

With all services available for the guests, skiers, and snowboarders – a complete rental/demo shop, Timberline Ski School, complimentary Ski Keep, permanent half-pipes, a terrain garden for snowboarders, night skiing, a gift store with Northwest gift items and top-of-the-line skiwear – it is no wonder Timberline is known as the summer ski capital of North America.

Rich in history, the 71-room Timberline Lodge is considered a national historic landmark, known for having the country's earliest chairlifts that were built in the late 1930s. The lodge is located in the middle of the chairlift system, with Jacuzzi and sauna available for winter fanatics at the end of the day. 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! 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. The lodge is entirely handmade and well preserved. The hand-woven draperies and the hand-hewn beams add to the rustic charm and history of the place.

The Cascade Dining Room 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 Cafe, and the Mt. Hood Brewing Company. Open 12 months out of the years, the Timberline has everything needed for its guests and winter fans.

Summer skiing at Timberline is special, with ski teams and racing enthusiasts from all over the world arriving to ski at Palmer Snowfield. World champion alpine, freestyle, and snowboard skiers from Canada, Europe, and the United States, use Timberline as a training base during this time. Summer skiing at Timberline is a permanent, lift-accessed snowfield that has summer skating available through Labor Day. Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snow skate park, night skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and lodge tours are the main attractions at Timberline. Here, it is all about the powder!