Slopeside camping is popular at ski areas across the Northwest. Campers line up at Hoodoo Ski Area.
Spring is the perfect time to check off a uniquely Northwest experience. While slopeside lodging isn’t commonplace at Oregon ski areas, there is a fun affordable ski-in ski-out alternative, the only catch is that in this case it’s BYORV—bring your own RV, camper van, cab-over camper or other adventure vehicle. That’s right, many Oregon ski areas offer RV and camper parking right at the base of the slopes. Amenities can range from simply a designated parking area to full hookups and dedicated 24-hour facilities. The benefits are consistently plentiful including affordable slopeside lodging, easy first tracks, and the après ski camaraderie among fellow campers.
As we cruise into the long days of spring with an extra deep snowpack here in Oregon, now is a great time to try out ski camping whether for a memorable weekend or a road trip linking up ski areas along the way. Who knows, maybe you’ll love it so much you’ll graduate to deep-winter camping.
Oregon Ski Areas Offering Overnight Camping:
Get fresh tracks and incredible alpine views at Mt. Hood Meadows, which offers 14 overnight RV spaces in the main lot for self-contained RVs (no hookups or facilities) available on a first come, first served basis. Mt. Hood Meadows ski season runs through May 7, 2017.
Hoodoo Ski Area offers 32 RV sites with electrical hookups, plus 24-hour facilities including restrooms and showers. Hoodoo accepts reservations for the hookup sites and also offers pricing for non-hookup sites. The resort is open for skiing and snowboarding Thursday through Monday through April 23, 2017.
Professional winter athletes, skier Chris Benchetler and snowboarder Austin Smith enjoyed camping at Mt. Bachelor this past winter.
Mt. Bachelor offers overnight self-contained (no hookups) RV parking in the West Village lot with 24-hour facilities including showers available. There is a seven night consecutive maximum stay. The ski resort is open through May 28, 2017.
Willamette Pass offers electrical hook-ups for the first ten RVs each day on a first come, first served basis for $10. The resort operates Thursday through Sunday with a seven night maximum stay. The ski area transitions to weekends only beginning in April through April 15, 2017.
Anthony Lakes offers RV parking with outlets in the lower lot on a first come, first served basis. Facilities include restrooms. The resort is open Thursday through Sunday, plus the full week of spring break April 26 through closing day on April 2, 2017.
Time your camping adventure with a fun spring event, check out our roundup of spring happenings here.
Be sure to purchase an Oregon Sno-Park permit in advance for $25. For more unique trip ideas at Oregon Ski Areas be sure to subscribe to the Ski Oregon newsletter.
