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
38ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
85 runs across 2,150 acres skiable
Mt Hood Meadows spreads 85 runs across 2,150 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 50%, with 13 beginner runs to find your feet and 30 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
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 2025 - 2026
12 Dec 2025
Opens
2 May 2026
Closes
141
Days open
38 ft
Annual snow
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mt Hood Meadows, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Aspen Snowmass Marks 80th Anniversary With $3.75 Throwback Lift Tickets
Aspen Snowmass turns 80 this December, and it's marking the milestone with $3.75 lift tickets on the anniversary itself - the original 1946 price. A discounted long weekend, $19.46 dining specials, lodging deals up to 46 percent off, and a season of anniversary programming round out the celebration across all four mountains.
17 Sept 2026
Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros
Doppelmayr closed its 2025/26 business year with revenue up 9.1 percent to 1.3 billion euros, driven by projects including the Big Sky Explorer Gondola, Deer Valley's Mayflower East Village Gondola, and the first TRI-Line installation at Hoch-Ybrig. Headcount grew too, with the ropeway manufacturer now employing almost 4,000 people worldwide.
16 Sept 2026
Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus
Hintertux Glacier is retiring its 40-year-old gondola to the Tuxer Fernerhaus. The replacement carries 10 people per cabin instead of four, with seat heating and nearly 40 percent more hourly capacity. Doppelmayr's new line opens at the end of October 2026, right as the glacier's high-altitude terrain becomes accessible again for the new season.
16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Mt Hood Meadows Webcams
5 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Mt Hood Meadows's live webcams
Check live conditions across Mt Hood Meadows with 5 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Top of Blue Lift6,545ft
- Experience spectacular panoramic views through this Mt Hood Meadows webcam at the Blue Lift summit positioned at 1995 meters elevation. This Mt Hood Meadows live cam delivers sweeping vistas across Oregon's premier ski destination and the surrounding Cascade peaks. Perfect for assessing visibility and snow conditions, this live snow cam showcases the diverse terrain that defines Mt Hood Meadows' reputation for Pacific Northwest alpine skiing.
- Snow Stake6,591ft
- Track precise snowfall accumulation through this Mt Hood Meadows webcam focused on the official snow stake at 2009 meters elevation. This essential Mt Hood Meadows live cam provides real-time powder measurements with daily 5am clearing, crucial for planning your Oregon powder day. Powder hunters rely on this live snow cam to monitor exactly how many inches have fallen across Mt Hood Meadows' legendary terrain.
- Vista Lift Base5,364ft
- Monitor beginner terrain through this Mt Hood Meadows webcam at Vista Lift base positioned at 1635 meters elevation. This Mt Hood Meadows web cam captures the welcoming learning slopes and progression terrain perfect for families. New skiers use this live snow cam to assess conditions on the gentle runs that make Mt Hood Meadows ideal for first-time Oregon ski adventures.
- Vista Lift Summit6,591ft
- Discover commanding high-alpine perspectives through this Mt Hood Meadows webcam at Vista Lift summit's dramatic 2009-meter ridgeline elevation. This Mt Hood Meadows live cam reveals breathtaking Cascade Range vistas and upper mountain conditions. Essential for advanced skiers, this Mt Hood Meadows web cam provides visibility updates across Oregon's most challenging lift-served terrain.
- Base Area5,361ft
- Experience the vibrant energy of Mt Hood Meadows through this essential base area webcam at 1634 meters elevation. This Mt Hood Meadows live cam captures guest arrivals, lodge activity, and current snow conditions at Oregon's busiest ski resort. Perfect for timing your visit, this live snow cam helps families gauge crowd levels before making the scenic drive up Highway 35 from Portland.
Mt Hood Meadows snow cams FAQ
How often do Mt Hood Meadows snow cams update?
All Mt Hood Meadows snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Mt Hood Meadows.
Which Mt Hood Meadows webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Snow Stake webcam at 2,009m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Mt Hood Meadows webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Mt Hood Meadows lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Mt Hood Meadows snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Mt Hood Meadows snow cams?
Check Mt Hood Meadows webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Mt Hood Meadows lift tickets?
Use our Mt Hood Meadows webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Mt Hood Meadows webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Mt Hood Meadows snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Mt Hood Meadows intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.