Mt Hood Meadows
2,150 acres, 85 runs on Mount Hood. Largest of the mountain's resorts, an hour from Portland.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
18 Dec 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
121
Annual snow
454in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mt Hood Meadows' summit reaches 7,300 feet, dropping 2,776 vertical feet to a base at 4,524 feet across 85 runs spread over 2,150 acres on the southeastern face of Mount Hood, Oregon. Terrain splits 50 per cent intermediate, 20 per cent advanced, 15 per cent expert and 15 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 454 inches. The resort operates independently without major multi-resort pass affiliation and is the largest of Mount Hood's several ski areas. Twelve lifts, including seven quad chairs and four double chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.
Mt Hood Meadows' 2,150-acre footprint makes it substantially larger than the mountain's other ski areas, giving it the most varied terrain on Mount Hood's slopes, from open alpine meadows to timbered runs. Its exceptional snowfall total, exceeding 450 inches annually, ranks among the highest of any resort in the contiguous United States. The resort's independent operation, without a major destination pass, has kept its focus on the Portland metropolitan area's day-trip skier base.
In 1964, the US Forest Service began a feasibility study for a new ski area on Mount Hood's eastern side, with a group of Hood River businessmen incorporated as Hood River Meadows, Inc. raising 3,500 US dollars to help finance the study. Local businessman Franklin G. Drake became captivated by the site after a 1966 Forest Service prospectus caught his eye, drawn by the terrain's variety, its alpine meadows and its expanses above the treeline.
Skiers began using the resort, named Mount Hood Meadows, in December 1967, with one of two original lifts opening in January 1968. In 2001, Mt Hood Meadows purchased the nearby Cooper Spur Ski Area, expanding the company's presence on the mountain. Adult daily tickets run from 99 to 149 US dollars using dynamic pricing, with a season pass at 1,139 dollars.
2,776ft
Vertical
85
Runs
2,150 acres
Skiable
454in
Annual snow
The Terrain
85 runs across 2,150 acres skiable
Mt Hood Meadows covers 2,150 acres (870 hectares) on the southeast side of Mount Hood, with 85 runs. The summit is 7,300 feet (2,225 m), the base 4,520 feet, and the vertical drop 2,780 feet (846 m). Half of the terrain is intermediate, with 20% advanced, 15% expert and 15% beginner. Seven quad chairs, four doubles and a surface lift serve the mountain, and snowfall averages around 454 inches a year. It is the largest of Mount Hood's ski areas, and the expert share is high enough that steeper skiers have a genuine reason to visit.
The Cascade Express serves open groomers such as Gulch and Boulevard, while the Vista Express covers gentler alpine terrain on Vista Ridge, a windy but scenic part of the mountain. Heather Canyon is the steep, mogul-heavy expert zone, served by a double chair that was reinstalled on the opposite side of the ridge, and the terrain there is prone to avalanche. Stadium Express adds more quick laps on the lower mountain. Meadows suits intermediates and strong skiers, while beginners are in the minority and will find fewer gentle runs than at the other Mount Hood areas.
Terrain split
85
runs
85 runs across 4 grades
Beginner13 runs · 15%
Intermediate43 runs · 50%
Advanced17 runs · 20%
Expert13 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Mt Hood Meadows
The 2025-26 season at Mt Hood Meadows ran from 12 December 2025 to 2 May 2026, one of the longer seasons in the Pacific Northwest at roughly twenty weeks. Average annual snowfall of around 454 inches, among the highest totals of any resort in the contiguous United States, supports this extended operating window well into spring. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions across the resort's varied terrain. As Portland's premier mountain resort, Mt Hood Meadows draws heavy weekend traffic from the metropolitan area, roughly an hour's drive away, with holiday periods bringing particularly heavy crowds. Weekday visits generally remain considerably calmer.
The resort's dynamic pricing structure rewards advance booking, a pricing approach that has become increasingly common across the industry. Given the resort's independent operation without major destination pass affiliation, its visitor base skews heavily toward the Portland metropolitan area rather than national destination traffic. School holiday periods and spring break bring particularly strong demand given the resort's late-season snow reliability.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The 2001 purchase of Cooper Spur Ski Area expanded the company's presence on Mount Hood without altering the core Mt Hood Meadows operation itself. The resort's status as the largest of Mount Hood's ski areas, combined with its exceptional snowfall, continues to define its identity as the mountain's primary destination through the season.
Season 2026 - 2027
18 Dec 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
121
Days open
454 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Mt Hood Meadows
Daily snow reports at Mt Hood Meadows go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
38 in
Snowiest day
12 Mar 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
291 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Mt Hood Meadows, and where to stay
Mt Hood Meadows sits on the southeastern face of Mount Hood, Oregon's highest peak, with a base elevation of 4,524 feet and a summit at 7,300 feet across a 2,776-foot vertical drop over 2,150 acres. This places the resort within the Mt. Hood National Forest, roughly an hour's drive from the Portland metropolitan area.
The town of Hood River, known for its wine country and outdoor recreation along the Columbia River Gorge, lies to the north, while Government Camp offers closer lodging on the mountain's southern side. Portland, Oregon's largest city, supplies the majority of the resort's weekend and day-trip visitor base given the relatively short drive. The broader Mount Hood corridor includes several other ski areas alongside Meadows.
US Route 26 and Oregon State Route 35 provide the main routes to Mt Hood Meadows from Portland and Hood River respectively, both climbing into the mountain's forested slopes. Winter driving conditions on these routes can include snow and ice, and chains or traction tyres are often required during storms. There is no direct public transport service to the resort, though seasonal shuttle options operate from the Portland area.
Portland International Airport is the nearest airport with extensive commercial service, roughly 90 minutes from the resort depending on conditions. This makes Mt Hood Meadows readily accessible for visitors flying into Oregon's largest city, reinforcing its role as Portland's primary mountain resort despite its independent, non-destination-pass operation.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Mt Hood Meadows, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Mt Hood Meadows's ski season?
Mt Hood Meadows's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 18 through April 18. 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 Mt Hood Meadows have?
Mt Hood Meadows lists about 2,150 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 85 named runs (870 hectares alongside 2,150 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 Mt Hood Meadows?
Trail grading at Mt Hood Meadows breaks down roughly as 15% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced, 15% 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 Mt Hood Meadows have?
Mt Hood Meadows operates 12 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 7 quad chairs, 4 double chairs, and 1 surface lift.
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 Mt Hood Meadows?
Base elevation at Mt Hood Meadows is about 4,524 ft (1,379 m), with the summit around 7,300 ft (2,225 m), giving roughly 2,776 ft (846 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 Mt Hood Meadows get each season?
Mt Hood Meadows averages about 454 inches (1,153 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.
Where can I buy Mt Hood Meadows lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$69 to US$149, 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 Mt Hood Meadows before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Mt Hood Meadows 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 Mt Hood Meadows 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 Mt Hood Meadows. 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 Mt Hood Meadows located?
Mt Hood Meadows 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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