Did somebody say summer snowboarding? Mt. Hood’s Timberline Ski Resort boasts the longest season in North America.
Summer is just around the corner and with it some of the best skiing and snowboarding conditions in the world, right here in Oregon! Timberline Ski Area on Mt. Hood is a worldwide destination for summer snowsports. Throughout the months of June through September, the two uppermost lifts at Timberline are spinning, bringing skiers and snowboarders to the top of the Palmer glacier at an elevation of 8,540 feet, a few hundred feet shy of the 11,245-foot summit. The uppermost Palmer Express lift operates exclusively in the summer, accessing Mt. Hood’s huge Palmer glacier, which boasts year-round snow.
The Palmer Express lift and the groomed glades of the Palmer glacier on the southern flank of Mt. Hood.
As the official training site for the US Ski Team, US Snowboarding and US Freeskiing teams, the glacier sees plenty of professional action on downhill race courses and in the world class freestyle terrain. But the terrain isn’t just for the pros, the snowfield also includes ski and snowboard camps including Windells, High Cascade and Timberline Camps for up-and-coming skiers and riders to receive professional coaching in the most ideal learning conditions—namely, warm, sunny conditions with perfectly groomed parks and race courses, and of course, the best coaches in the business.
- Skier Miguel Porteous airs out of the pipe at Windells camp.
- Skiers Kevin Curran and Noah Curry stoke out the campers at Windells.
- A racer trains in the world class facilities at Timberline Ski Area.
Summer visitors at Timberline can also purchase day tickets to ride the top-to-bottom public terrain including excellent groomers and a public park and pipe (scenic chairlift rides are also available for those who just want to check out the action). The terrain consists of open, above treeline groomed slopes, with a mix of firm morning conditions transitioning to epic summer slush by mid-afternoon. The slopes of Timberline also boast stunning views looking south across the Oregon landscape that will stop you in your tracks.
This is one way to catch the sunset at Timberline Ski Area. You might instead opt for apres ski down at the lodge.
The most-recent snow base depth reading at Timberline Lodge in early May was at a whopping 175 inches, with a 588 inch (46 foot!) depth at the top of the upper Palmer Express lift. If there was ever a summer to come out to attend camp or just check summer skiing and snowboarding off your bucket list, this is the summer to do it. The camps are filling up quickly, with opportunities for everyone from the youngest grom to adult camps and camps built around sport-specific hobbies including action photography.
Summer visitors to Palmer Snowfield also have the opportunity to stay slopeside in the historic Timberline Lodge. This National Historic Landmark was hand built during the Great Depression. The history and craftsmanship of the lodge will draw you in, while the authentic Northwest vibe and local culinary creations in the Cascade Dining Room will tempt you to return again and again. Did we mention the heated outdoor pool and nighttime stargazing events?
Whether you’re one of the two million annual visitors to the lodge, one of the stoked campers, or a visitor planning a day of summer skiing, Timberline Ski Area will make truly unique Oregon memories to last a lifetime.
