Mount Hood Ski Bowl Skiing & Snowboarding
Resort Guide
Ski Bowl has that endearing little ski area charm, and some killer night skiing to go with it. A great place to bring the kids and family to learn as well, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl has just under 1,000 skiable acres, all of which is lit for night skiing and snowboarding. As the lowest ski area on Mt. Hood, it can often be overlooked in favor of Timberline and Meadows, but this also keeps the crowds away.
Ski Bowl night skiing has grown to have almost cult-classic like reverence in the skiing world. Most ski areas’ night skiing terrain consists of only easy and intermediate terrain, however, Ski Bowl’s Upper Bowl has not only lights, but fun gladed terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders alike.
Ski Bowl night skiing has grown to have almost cult-classic like reverence in the skiing world. Most ski areas’ night skiing terrain consists of only easy and intermediate terrain, however, Ski Bowl’s Upper Bowl has not only lights, but fun gladed terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders alike.
Mount Hood Skibowl is a simple mountain to navigate - there’s Skibowl East, the Lower Bowl, and the Upper Bowl. The chairlifts here are all old double chairlifts, which is fitting to the old-school feel of the area. The Lower Bowl chairlift brings skiers and snowboarders half-way up the mountain to the base area of the Upper Bowl chair. Lower Bowl offers mostly beginner and intermediate terrain. Advanced skiers and boarders will want to stay in Upper Bowl as it features a number of open glades for skiers and snowboarders to pick from, with lots of boulders and small cliff bands to jump and jib around on. Point it straight down the lift line for the most exciting run, but be ready for some mandatory airtime if you do. Traverse farther out to the skier’s left for more glade skiing. Stick to the sides of these glades and skiers and snowboarders can find their own private powder stashes.
The Cascade lift at Skibowl East serves a mixture of advanced, intermediate, and beginner terrain on Multorpor Mountain. While most ski areas only light up a few groomed runs during the night, all of Ski Bowl’s 960 acres are lit up for night skiing and snowboarding until 11pm. This means that Skibowl is rarely crowded (especially after dark) and that skiers and snowboarders can ride powder under the lights.
Mount Hood Skibowl is the closest ski and snowboard area to Portland, the drive takes about 70 minutes. There are two buses that stop at Skibowl as well, the Central Oregon Breeze and the Mount Hood Express.
Travel Resources:
Ski Bowl Travel Overview
Central Oregon Breeze Bus
Mt. Hood Express Bus
Mount Hood Skibowl is the closest ski and snowboard area to Portland, the drive takes about 70 minutes. There are two buses that stop at Skibowl as well, the Central Oregon Breeze and the Mount Hood Express.
Ski Bowl Travel Overview
Central Oregon Breeze Bus
Mt. Hood Express Bus
Part of being a small ski area means there is no lodging at Mount Hood Skibowl. Nearby Government Camp has several options, however, just about a mile down the Mount Hood Highway. Most skiers and snowboarders come to Skibowl on day trips or for night skiing after work or school.
Collins Lake Resort
Our Favorite Snowboards For Ski Bowl
Local Food Picks
Skibowl has a few on-mountain dining options to keep you warm and fed in between runs. The Historic Warming Hut is located between Lower Bowl and Upper Bowl; this is a great spot for a break between runs.The Beer Stube is a great base area bar for an apres’ drink. On the way to skiing and snowboarding, the High Mountain Cafe is a nice spot to grab coffee and a bite to eat. Ratskeller pizza claims the “best pizza on mount hood” and has plenty of craft beer on tap, it’s just a five minute drive away, in Government Camp.The Beer Stube
High Mountain Cafe
Ratskeller Pizza
Our Favorite Skis For Ski Bowl
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Ski Bowl?
Skibowl has the cheapest lift tickets on Mount Hood. Skiers and snowboarders have their choice from several different ticket options, including daytime, twilight, and night skiing. Youth and seniors can get discount lift tickets, and those 6 and under or 73 and over ski for free. Lift tickets must be purchased at the base area, they are not available online.Ski Bowl Weather Information
Skibowl averages 300” of annual snowfall. Due to its low elevation it does see more rain than Timberline Lodge and Mount Hood Meadows. As Northwest ski and snowboard locals know, rain happens, so be prepared with the proper waterproof outerwear. Check the forecast and ski report often though, because the nights after big snowstorms are a unique ski and snowboard experience that is not to be missed on a trip to Oregon.Ski Bowl Conditions Report
Most skiers and snowboarders who visit Mount Hood drive right by Skibowl without stopping to discover all of the awesomeness that the small old school ski area has to offer. Those willing to slow down and enjoy the old double chair lifts, however, often fall in love with the quirks and the playful terrain of the Upper Bowl. Cheap lift tickets and night skiing and snowboarding make a compelling case to take some time to visit Portland’s closest ski area.
