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 Ski Trails
Downloadable Mt Hood Skibowl trail map
Terrain split
69
runs
Beginner20%
Intermediate40%
Advanced25%
Expert15%
960 acres skiable388 hectares
Resort Stats
Elevation
Base3,599ft
Summit5,026ft
Annual snowfall
23ft
Season
2025 - 2026
6 Dec 2025 - 29 Mar 2026
Trail coverage
69 runs
960 acres (388 ha)
Mt Hood Skibowl ski trails
Mt Hood Skibowl offers 69 runs across a mix of difficulties. The terrain split and trail map here show how the mountain breaks down so you can plan a day that suits your group.
- • Match runs to your ability - the terrain split shows how much of Mt Hood Skibowl is beginner, intermediate and advanced.
- • Check grooming and open-run status against the live conditions before committing to the upper mountain.
- • Early season and after fresh snow, favour the lifts serving your preferred grade to make the most of the day.
More Mt Hood Skibowl intelligence: trail map, lift system, resort overview.