Timberline Lodge (OR)

Resort Classification: (Class 4) Large

Timberline Lodge was constructed between 1936 and 1938 at an elevation of 6,000ft on Oregon’s Mount Hood. The ski area opened with a rope tow, and later a chairlift servicing the Magic Mile ski run just above the main lodge. 

Over the years the terrain expanded, and an auxiliary “Day Lodge” was constructed which now handles most of the ticketing, rentals, and other services.

Timberline recently converted an old ski patrol shack known as the “Phlox Hut” and created ski in / ski out eating area, now known for it’s tacos and craft beer, as well as an outdoor fire pit for warming.

Timberline is well known for having the longest ski season in North America, typically lasting between 9-11 months of the year. They are also now famous for having the most lift served vertical terrain in America at 4,540ft, which includes two connecting trails down to the newly acquired Summit Pass. 

While Timberline is technically a Large Ski Resort by the numbers, they seldom have the full height of the ski open, and do not run more than 5 lifts at any given time.

Famous For:

Having the most lift served vertical terrain in the U.S.

The longest ski season in North America.

The most historic and famous ski lodge in the U.S.

It’s massive terrain parks, spread all over the mountain, including Riding Camps with huge features during the Summer.

“Soft” outer boundary lines allowing for quality side country skiing.

Infamous For:

Aside from the Palmer Snow Field, Timberline does not have much to offer in the way of steep terrain, which has garnered it the unflattering name of “T-flat”.

Timberline is notorious for putting the upper mountain lifts on hold or closing them completely for the day for slight changes in the weather, essentially cutting the mountain in half. 

Over the last few years, Timberline has been prone to massive overcrowding, including huge lift lines, packed trails and skiers and riders not even able to park at the ski area or get up the mountain road due to full parking lots.

Once the longtime home of the $99 Spring Pass, Timberline has had a sharp increase in it’s season pass prices almost annually over the last several seasons, despite the minimal terrain and lift improvements.