In the Willamette Valley, snow days are rare, yet they are often found above Mount Hood.
The finest place to play in the snow on the mountain is Asno Park, which is a U.S. Forest Service-managed winter recreation area that is dispersed throughout the mountain. The five types of activities that are allowed in each Sno-Park are sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and mushing.
From November 1 through April 30, you must get a special permission from the Oregon Department of Transportation in order to park your automobile at a sno-park. A permit costs $4 per day, a three-day pass costs $9, and an annual pass costs $25. Permits are available for purchase online at dmv2u.oregon.gov or in person at numerous establishments throughout the mountain.
It would be impossible to discuss a snow day on Mount Hood without mentioning the five downhill ski resorts on the mountain. Although each has its own set of rules and taxes, most of them provide access to alternative forms of activity including sledding and snowshoeing.
Here are the top spots to play on Mount Hood if you can’t wait to get outside this season.
On Nov. 29, visitors to Mt. Hood Meadows take advantage of sunny days and beautiful sky following an early opening.Profenna Chiara
Downhill Skiing
The five ski resorts on Mount Hood are undoubtedly well-known to downhill skiers. At the highest height, Timberline provides year-round skiing, while Meadows is slightly lower. Cooper Spur lies on the opposite side of the mountain from Skibowl and Summit, which are both close to Government Camp.
The Timberline
Mount Hood Meadows
Mount Hood Ski Bowl
Cooper Spur
The Summit Pass
People head to the Snow Bunny Sno-Park on Mount Hood to go sledding.Oregonian/Jamie Francis
Sledding
If you want to do some serious sledding, drive up to one of the few sled-only sno-parks on Mount Hood, though your neighborhood hill might be great in the snow. These kid-friendly ski resorts are ideal for a laid-back snow day. Instead of leaving broken sleds in the snow or piling them up in the park dumpster, make sure to take them home with you.
John the Little
The Snow Bunny
West White River
In the Mount Hood National Forest, snowshoeing at Bennett Pass.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are grouped together in the Mount Hood National Forest, despite the fact that they occasionally clash. Almost every sno-park that permits one activity also permits the other. The lone exception is Teacup Nordic, which is run by the Teacup Lake Nordic Club and features 15 miles of groomed routes exclusively for cross-country skiing.
One of the easiest ways to get outside in the snow is to go snowshoeing, which is also a well-liked, family-friendly activity. The only thing snowshoers need to be mindful of is not stepping on cross-country ski trails.
The Barlow Pass
Bennett’s Pass
Bob Billy
Lake Frog
A View of Glaciers
Station for Government Camp Maintenance
John the Little
The Pocket Creek
Skiway
The skyline
The Snow Bunny
Teacup Nordic (exclusively for cross-country skiing)
Jane Tilly
Trillium
Boy Scout Camp White River
East White River
West White River
Timothy Lake snowmobiling with Mt. Hood Adventures.”The Oregonian” or Stephanie Yao Long
Snowmobiling
There are seven sno-parks on the mountain where you can obtain your snowmobile if you wish to. The majority of locations have well-maintained paths, frequently provided by nearby snowmobile organizations. However, some of the snowmobile paths go alongside wilderness areas, so be careful to avoid them.
Bennett’s Pass
Bob Billy
Lake Frog
John the Little
The skyline
Trillium
East White River
Skijoring on Mount Hood at Frog Lake.The Oregonian/Torsten Kjellstrand
Mushing
Who says the fun is only for humans? Bring your dogs up to the mountain and go mushing at one of the five designated sno-parks. Any form of dog-powered transportation over snow, such as dog sledding and skijoring (skiing with dogs pulling you), is referred to as mushing.
Bennett’s Pass
Bob Billy
Lake Frog
John the Little
The skyline
East White River
–Jamie Hale co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast and writes about travel and the outdoors. You may contact him at [email protected], 503-294-4077, or HaleJamesB.
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