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 Skibowl's terrain rises from a base at 3,599 feet to a summit at 5,026 feet, a vertical drop of 1,427 feet across 69 runs spread over 960 acres near Government Camp, Oregon. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent advanced, 20 per cent beginner and 15 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 282 inches. The resort carries Powder Alliance affiliation and is billed as America's largest night-skiing area.
Skibowl's origins date to 1928, making it one of the oldest ski resorts still operating in the United States. Its standout feature is its night-skiing capacity, with a substantial share of its terrain lit for evening operation, a scale unmatched by other American resorts. This night-skiing focus reflects Skibowl's role as a close-to-Portland mountain built around after-work and evening access rather than purely destination weekend visits.
The resort began as two separate ski areas: Skibowl, named for the natural bowl shape of its upper terrain, and Multorpor, whose name combined Multnomah County and Portland. The two areas merged into a single resort in 1964. In 1987, Kirk Hanna purchased Skibowl out of bankruptcy and began a significant program of improvements that would reshape the resort's identity.
Under Hanna's ownership, the resort added a 300-acre area known as the Outback, cut the Olympic-certified Reynolds Run, and expanded night skiing to 34 lit runs, cementing its reputation as America's largest night-ski area. Adult daily tickets run from 75 to 89 US dollars, with a season pass at 699 dollars, reflecting a resort built around accessible, extended-hours skiing for the Portland region.
1,427ft
Vertical
69
Runs
960 acres
Skiable
23ft
Annual snow
Powder Alliance
Pass
The Terrain
69 runs across 960 acres skiable
Mt Hood Skibowl spreads 69 runs across 960 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 27 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
69
runs
69 runs across 4 grades
Beginner14 runs · 20%
Intermediate28 runs · 40%
Advanced17 runs · 25%
Expert10 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Mt Hood Skibowl
The 2025-26 season at Mt Hood Skibowl ran from 6 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, a roughly sixteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 282 inches. This substantial snowfall total supports reliable conditions across the resort's varied terrain, including the 300-acre Outback zone. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to the mountain's terrain. Night skiing is the defining seasonal feature at Skibowl, with 34 lit runs extending the useful ski day well beyond daylight hours throughout the season, a significant draw for Portland-area skiers seeking after-work access. Weekend and evening crowds both feature prominently in the resort's visitor patterns.
As a Powder Alliance resort, Skibowl draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core Portland metropolitan area base. Given the resort's proximity to Portland relative to Mount Hood's other ski areas, it sees strong midweek evening demand alongside typical weekend patterns. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's substantial beginner and intermediate terrain.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. The resort's identity as one of the oldest ski areas in the country, dating to 1928, continues to shape its historic character even as it operates America's largest night-ski area today. Kirk Hanna's late-1980s improvements remain foundational to how the resort operates each season.
Season 2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025
Opens
29 Mar 2026
Closes
113
Days open
23 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Mt Hood Skibowl, and where to stay
Mt Hood Skibowl sits near Government Camp on the southern side of Mount Hood, Oregon, with a base elevation of 3,599 feet and a summit at 5,026 feet across a 1,427-foot vertical drop over 960 acres. This is the closest of Mount Hood's ski areas to the Portland metropolitan area, a key factor in its focus on evening and night skiing.
Government Camp is the nearest town, a small mountain community offering lodging and dining directly on Mount Hood's southern flank. Portland, Oregon's largest city, lies roughly an hour's drive away, supplying the bulk of Skibowl's visitor base given the resort's proximity relative to other Mount Hood ski areas. The broader Mt. Hood National Forest surrounds the resort.
US Route 26 provides the main route from Portland to Government Camp and Skibowl, climbing steadily into the Cascade foothills. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, and chains or traction tyres are often required during storm advisories. There is no direct public transport service to the resort, though its proximity to Portland makes it a practical evening drive for many area residents.
Portland International Airport is the nearest airport with extensive commercial service, roughly 75 minutes from the resort under normal conditions. This convenient distance from Oregon's largest city and its airport reinforces Skibowl's role as the most accessible of Mount Hood's ski areas, particularly suited to its extensive night-skiing operation.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mt Hood Skibowl, powered by Stay22.
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Mt Hood Skibowl Webcams
3 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Mt Hood Skibowl's live webcams
Check live conditions across Mt Hood Skibowl with 3 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
- Ski Bowl Upper5,026ft
- Experience commanding upper mountain views through this Mt Hood Skibowl webcam positioned at the resort's highest point at 1532 meters elevation. This Mt Hood Skibowl live cam captures the summit lift and upper terrain, providing essential visibility updates for night skiing enthusiasts. Perfect for assessing conditions on Oregon's largest night ski area, this live snow cam reveals the challenging slopes that make Skibowl famous for after-dark adventures.
- Ski Bowl West Base3,661ft
- Monitor activity at the western base through this Mt Hood Skibowl webcam at 1116 meters elevation. This Mt Hood Skibowl web cam provides comprehensive views of the main base area and surrounding terrain, ideal for checking current snow conditions. Families planning their Portland-area ski trip use this live snow cam to assess weather and crowd levels at America's largest night skiing destination.
- Ski Bowl East Base3,839ft
- Watch the action-packed fun through this Mt Hood Skibowl webcam overlooking the tubing park at the east base area positioned at 1170 meters elevation. This Mt Hood Skibowl live cam captures all the tubing excitement and surrounding terrain. Families use this Mt Hood Skibowl web cam to check conditions before heading to Oregon's premier winter recreation destination just 53 miles from Portland.
Mt Hood Skibowl snow cams FAQ
How often do Mt Hood Skibowl snow cams update?
All Mt Hood Skibowl 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 Skibowl.
Which Mt Hood Skibowl webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Ski Bowl Upper webcam at 1,532m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Mt Hood Skibowl webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Mt Hood Skibowl lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Mt Hood Skibowl 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 Skibowl snow cams?
Check Mt Hood Skibowl 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 Skibowl lift tickets?
Use our Mt Hood Skibowl 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 Skibowl webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Mt Hood Skibowl 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 Skibowl intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.