SnowStash
ForecastsCompareNews
SnowStash Logo

Live snow, webcams and expert resort guides for the world's mountains - plan your next day on snow.

hello@snowstash.com
Download on the App Store

Destinations

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Europe
  • Japan
  • New Zealand
  • United States

Company

  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Privacy Policy

Explore

  • Compare Resorts
  • News & Updates
  • Snow Forecast
  • Mobile App

© 2026 SnowStash. All rights reserved.

    Oregon, USA · Powder Alliance

    Mt Hood Skibowl

    960 acres, 69 runs near Government Camp. America's largest night-ski area, close to Portland.

    Open in the app

    Live Mt Hood Skibowl conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

    Download on the App Store

    Open in the app

    Live Mt Hood Skibowl conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

    Download on the App Store
    Season 2026 - 2027
    Opens
    27 Nov 2026
    Closes
    28 Mar 2027
    Days open
    121
    Annual snow
    282in
    Snow record
    0in
    Last winter · 2026-27
    0% of a typical winter15in
    Explore 2 winters of snowfall→
    The Overview
    MF
    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
    282in
    Annual snow
    Powder Alliance
    Pass
    Advertisement
    The Terrain

    69 runs across 960 acres skiable

    Mt Hood Skibowl covers 960 acres (389 hectares) on the south side of Mount Hood, with 69 runs. The base is at 3,600 feet and the summit at 5,030 feet (1,532 m), a vertical of 1,430 feet (435 m). The split is 40% intermediate, 25% advanced, 20% beginner and 15% expert, with snowfall averaging around 282 inches a year. Skibowl is best known as the biggest night skiing operation in the United States, with more than 34 lit runs. That makes the after-work session as important as the weekend, and the daytime numbers only tell part of the story.

    Multorpor is the intermediate area, with groomed runs that are no harder than typical blue squares elsewhere, while the black diamonds off the Upper Bowl chair are the real advanced terrain, with steep pitches, rocks and drop-offs. The Outback is a remote expert area that needs plenty of snow, and it is not open for night skiing. Skyline and Lower Bowl are smooth groomers under the lights. Skibowl suits Portland skiers wanting an evening session, intermediates and families, and experts who are prepared to wait for a good snowfall to open the Outback.

    Terrain split
    69
    runs
    69 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner14 runs · 20%
    Intermediate28 runs · 40%
    Advanced17 runs · 25%
    Expert10 runs · 15%
    Advertisement
    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 2026 - 2027
    27 Nov 2026
    Opens
    28 Mar 2027
    Closes
    121
    Days open
    282 in
    Annual snow
    The record

    Historical snowfall at Mt Hood Skibowl

    Daily snow reports at Mt Hood Skibowl go back to 2026, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.

    13 in
    Snowiest day
    16 Apr 2026
    0 in
    This winter · 2026-27
    so far
    15 in
    Typical winter
    average of complete seasons
    Explore historical snowfall →
    Winter totals
    in
    Past wintersThis winter
    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.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

    View all news →
    Pinheiro Braathen Wins Sölden Giant Slalom Opener by 0.48 Seconds

    Pinheiro Braathen Wins Sölden Giant Slalom Opener by 0.48 Seconds

    Two days at Sölden, two races decided by a hundredth somewhere on the podium, and one very quick Brazilian. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen led from the first run to win the men’s World Cup opener by 0.48 seconds, with Loïc Meillard second and Marco Odermatt third. River Radamus charged from 15th to fourth on a rutted course, and Britain’s Freddy Carrick-Smith banked his first World Cup points. Braathen still hasn’t lost a giant slalom since Olympic gold.

    25 Oct 2026
    Alps Snow Forecast: Up to 64 cm Headed for the High Glaciers as the Snow Line Drops

    Alps Snow Forecast: Up to 64 cm Headed for the High Glaciers as the Snow Line Drops

    The Alps are about to swap mild, sunny October weather for something far more wintry. A cold front arrives Tuesday, and SnowStash forecasts have Monterosa Ski out in front with 64 cm over 14 days, ahead of Blatten Belalp (55 cm) and Verbier (43 cm). The snow line should fall below 2000 metres by Wednesday night, and glaciers across Switzerland, Italy and Austria are in line for the best of it. The wind will have a say too.

    20 Oct 2026
    Four Dead After Avalanche Near Ski Portillo in Chile

    Four Dead After Avalanche Near Ski Portillo in Chile

    A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.

    18 Oct 2026
    Europe Ski Resorts Open Now: What Is Skiable in Mid-October 2026

    Europe Ski Resorts Open Now: What Is Skiable in Mid-October 2026

    Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.

    14 Oct 2026
    Zermatt Plans World Cup Downhill Return on the Gornergrat for 2028

    Zermatt Plans World Cup Downhill Return on the Gornergrat for 2028

    Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.

    14 Oct 2026
    Mt. Rose Begins Snowmaking for the 2026-27 Season at Lake Tahoe

    Mt. Rose Begins Snowmaking for the 2026-27 Season at Lake Tahoe

    Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.

    13 Oct 2026
    Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More

    Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More

    Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.

    13 Oct 2026
    Mt Hutt Invests NZ$12 Million in Base Area, Tripling Its Sun Deck

    Mt Hutt Invests NZ$12 Million in Base Area, Tripling Its Sun Deck

    Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.

    11 Oct 2026

    Mt Hood Skibowl Trail Map

    Downloadable Mt Hood Skibowl trail map

    Open in the app

    Live Mt Hood Skibowl conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

    Download on the App Store

    Open in the app

    Live Mt Hood Skibowl conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

    Download on the App Store
    Mt Hood Skibowl trail map↓ Download PDF
    Advertisement
    Terrain split
    69
    runs
    Beginner20%
    Intermediate40%
    Advanced25%
    Expert15%
    960 acres skiable388 hectares
    Advertisement
    Resort Stats
    Elevation
    Base3,599ft
    Summit5,026ft
    Annual snowfall
    282in
    Season
    2026 - 2027
    27 Nov 2026 - 28 Mar 2027
    Trail coverage
    69 runs
    960 acres (388 ha)
    Advertisement

    About Mt Hood Skibowl's trail map

    Explore Mt Hood Skibowl's full trail map with 69 runs across the mountain, colour-coded by difficulty and shown alongside the terrain split. Use it to plan a day that matches your ability, find lift-served pockets of your favourite grade, and see how the resort links together. Download the piste map (PDF) ↗

    More Mt Hood Skibowl intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.