Hoodoo
806 acres, 36 runs at Santiam Pass. Affordable central Oregon skiing near Sisters, Indy Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
27 Nov 2026
Closes
28 Mar 2027
Days open
121
Annual snow
323in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Hoodoo's summit reaches 5,702 feet, dropping 1,033 vertical feet to a base at 4,669 feet across 36 runs spread over 806 acres near Santiam Pass in the central Oregon Cascades. Terrain splits 42 per cent intermediate, 31 per cent advanced, 19 per cent beginner and 8 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 323 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Twelve lifts, including four quad chairs and three triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside five surface lifts.
Hoodoo sits on a volcanic cinder cone, Hoodoo Butte, within the Willamette National Forest, giving it a distinctly central Oregon character relative to the state's larger Mount Hood resorts. Its comparatively affordable pricing and lack of major crowds have made it a value-focused alternative for skiers travelling from Bend and the surrounding central Oregon communities. The resort's substantial snowfall total, exceeding 320 inches annually, supports reliable conditions through a long winter season.
The ski area was built in 1938 by a group funded by Ed Thurston of Bend, who had originally hoped to develop nearby Three Fingered Jack but could not secure funding for the necessary access road. Following the Second World War, the resort expanded with lodging and chairlifts, including a three-story main lodge built in the late 1940s from surplus wartime structures. In the 1960s, the ski area was purchased by Hoodoo Ski Bowl Developers, Inc., which went on to build the Manzanita chairlift.
In 1999, real estate developer Chuck Shepard of Eugene, through his company Umbrella Properties, acquired Hoodoo Ski Area. Since then, the resort has added the Hodag chairlift, a 60,000-square-foot lodge and the Autobahn Tubing Park, and has replaced its older green and red double chairlifts with quad chairs. Adult daily tickets run from 65 to 75 US dollars, with a season pass at 499 dollars.
1,033ft
Vertical
36
Runs
806 acres
Skiable
323in
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
36 runs across 806 acres skiable
Hoodoo is a central Oregon ski area on Santiam Pass in the Cascades, covering 806 acres (326 hectares) with 36 runs. The summit is 5,700 feet (1,738 m) and the vertical 1,030 feet (315 m), from a base at 4,670 feet. Terrain is 42% intermediate, 31% advanced, 19% beginner and 8% expert. Quad and triple chairs plus a set of surface lifts serve the hill, and snowfall averages roughly 323 inches a year. The area is also known for night skiing and a large tubing park, which makes it as much a family day out as a place to chase vertical.
The Green lift, a fixed-grip quad, serves the whole hill and reaches all 806 acres. A separate beginner area is served by Easy Rider and is isolated from the rest of the terrain, the Hodag lift opens the backside, and the Manzanita triple serves the bowl, the terrain park and night skiing. About 23 runs are lit for night skiing, and the Autobahn Tubing Park has 800-foot lanes. Hoodoo suits skiers from the Willamette Valley and Bend wanting a day or evening on snow, and its mid-range terrain suits families and intermediates best.
Terrain split
36
runs
36 runs across 4 grades
Beginner7 runs · 19%
Intermediate15 runs · 42%
Advanced11 runs · 31%
Expert3 runs · 8%
Time it right
When to visit Hoodoo
The 2025-26 season at Hoodoo ran from 6 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, a roughly sixteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 323 inches, among the higher totals in the Oregon Cascades. This substantial snowfall supports reliable conditions throughout the season without heavy reliance on snowmaking. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season storm activity.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Hoodoo's varied terrain. The resort's value-oriented pricing and central Oregon location draw a strong local following from Bend, Sisters and the surrounding communities, with weekday visits in particular remaining notably quiet compared with the region's larger resorts.
As an Indy Pass resort, Hoodoo draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core central Oregon base. The Autobahn Tubing Park provides a non-ski option for family visitors throughout the season. Weekly Thursday Special ticket pricing reflects the resort's ongoing effort to draw midweek visitation. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's approachable terrain mix.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Since Chuck Shepard's 1999 purchase, continued investment in lifts and facilities has supported the resort's identity as a modernised yet still affordable central Oregon option. Hoodoo's substantial snowfall total and volcanic cinder cone setting on Hoodoo Butte remain distinguishing features through the season.
Season 2026 - 2027
27 Nov 2026
Opens
28 Mar 2027
Closes
121
Days open
323 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Hoodoo
Daily snow reports at Hoodoo go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
21 in
Snowiest day
22 Dec 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
211 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Hoodoo, and where to stay
Hoodoo sits on Hoodoo Butte near the summit of Santiam Pass on US Route 20, within the Willamette National Forest in the central Oregon Cascades, with a base elevation of 4,669 feet and a summit at 5,702 feet across a 1,033-foot vertical drop over 806 acres. This puts the resort roughly midway between the Willamette Valley and central Oregon's high desert.
The town of Sisters, known for its outdoor recreation and mountain-town character, lies within a reasonable drive of the resort, while Bend, central Oregon's largest city, provides more extensive lodging and dining options a further drive away. The Willamette National Forest surrounds the resort, offering additional recreation beyond skiing throughout the year.
US Route 20 runs directly past Hoodoo at the summit of Santiam Pass, providing straightforward access from both the Willamette Valley to the west and central Oregon to the east. Winter driving conditions on Santiam Pass can include snow and ice during storms, and travellers should carry chains during winter weather advisories. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Redmond Municipal Airport, serving the Bend and central Oregon area, is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, roughly an hour's drive from the resort. This gives Hoodoo reasonable accessibility for visitors flying into central Oregon, though most skiers drive from Bend, Sisters or the Willamette Valley rather than flying in specifically for the resort.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Hoodoo, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Hoodoo's ski season?
Hoodoo's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 27 through March 28. That window is roughly 121 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Oregon, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Hoodoo have?
Hoodoo lists about 806 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 36 named runs (326 hectares alongside 806 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Hoodoo?
Trail grading at Hoodoo breaks down roughly as 19% beginner, 42% intermediate, 31% advanced, 8% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Hoodoo have?
Hoodoo operates 12 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 5 surface lifts, 4 quad chairs, and 3 triple chairs.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Hoodoo?
Base elevation at Hoodoo is about 4,669 ft (1,423 m), with the summit around 5,702 ft (1,738 m), giving roughly 1,033 ft (315 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Hoodoo get each season?
Hoodoo averages about 323 inches (820 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Hoodoo accept the Indy?
Hoodoo is affiliated with the Indy. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Hoodoo lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$25 to US$75, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Hoodoo before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 8 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Hoodoo so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Hoodoo have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Hoodoo. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Hoodoo located?
Hoodoo sits in Oregon, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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