TL;DR
Mt Hood Meadows will close April 12 following a season that didn't start until December 23 - the resort's latest opening in three decades. Insufficient snow coverage has forced the early closure, with pond skim and Pride events cancelled.
Oregon Resort Ends Season Three Weeks Early After Record-Late December Opening
Mt Hood Meadows has announced an April 12 closing date, capping off a season defined by inadequate snowfall from start to finish. The Oregon resort didn't open until December 23 - its latest opening day in 30 years - and is now shutting down earlier than typical April closures as deteriorating coverage makes daily operations unsustainable.
The resort's announcement frames the closure as a straightforward snow management issue rather than an operational choice. Grooming crews have been working extended shifts to maintain skiable terrain, but spring conditions are accelerating base degradation faster than they can manage it.
How This Season Compares
The December 23 opening pushed past the resort's previous late-start record of December 22, 2014. That's notable in a region where ski resorts typically aim for mid-November operations when conditions permit. Even when Meadows did open in late December, it was with limited terrain, reduced lift access, and shortened hours - hardly the operational tempo a resort wants during peak holiday visitation.Typical closing dates at Meadows run through late April, with stronger seasons extending into early May. Last season followed that pattern. This year is tracking three weeks behind that schedule.
