
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 27, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Hoodoo typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from US$25, with peak rates up to US$75.
Full day skiing at Hoodoo, Oregon's original ski area near Sisters. Experience 36 trails and 1,035 feet of vertical in the scenic Cascade Mountains.
Buy passYouth daily ticket for Hoodoo Ski Area in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. Family-friendly skiing with varied terrain suitable for all ability levels.
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Buy passFree skiing for children 7 and under at Hoodoo. Oregon's original ski area welcomes families with affordable mountain recreation near Sisters.
Buy passSenior lift ticket for Hoodoo Ski Area. Discounted access to Oregon skiing with 36 trails and spectacular Cascade Mountain views near Sisters.
Buy passSpecial Thursday lift ticket pricing at Hoodoo. Great value for midweek skiing at Oregon's original ski area with shorter lift lines.
Buy passHalf day skiing at Hoodoo starting in the afternoon. Perfect for shorter visits to Oregon's original ski area with easy access from Central Oregon.
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