By Gabe Korngold ‘23

We may be approaching the tail end of the 2022 ski season, but that doesn’t mean we should abandon the slopes. With fresh snow arriving in the Cascades as of late, many skiers and snowboarders in Portland are still committed to skiing as much as possible throughout the remainder of the season.

One of the perks of living in Portland is the access to bountiful skiing throughout the winter, and there are plenty of nearby resorts to choose from. Skibowl is iconic for its nightskiing, and its proximity to Government Camp makes it a perfect destination for those looking to stay overnight near the slopes. Situated on Highway-22 near Black Butte Ranch, Hoodoo is a quiet alternative to the big name resorts of Mount Hood and Mount Bachelor. On the backside of Mt. Hood you’ll find Cooper Spur, the perfect place for those looking to learn how to ski on a small hill.

There are countless other resorts across the state of Oregon, each having its own unique advantages. However, of the dozens of options, three resorts emerge as the best places to ski for Portlanders: Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood Meadows, and Mount Bachelor.

But which is truly the mecca of Stumptown skiing, and where should you go if you’re looking for a day on the mountain? This is the question I sought to answer.

To answer this question, it’s first important to consider what makes a ski resort ‘good.’

Catlin Gabel School student and youth ski patroller Keola Edelen-Hare provided some insight.

“I think the most important things, for me at least, are the amount of runs and area, accessibility, parking lot [size], range of difficulty, fast moving lifts, and good food.” Edelen-Hare also later pointed out that cost is an important factor.

Timberline Lodge

At first glance, Timberline doesn’t seem particularly special. The resort is large, but the 1,685 acres of terrain are dwarfed by Meadows’ acreage at over 2,000, and Bachelor’s at over 4,000. There are only eight lifts, and the resort feels remarkably flat compared to the difficult options offered by Meadows and Bachelor.

But when you look past the surface, Timberline truly emerges as something special. The resort manages to stretch its relatively small inbound area into over 4,500 vertical feet, which is the most of any ski slope in the United States. All of the primary lifts are high speed quads, making it easy to lap your favorite runs on the mountain. For those looking for a unique off-lift experience, the resort also offers snowcat service to the highest skiable point on Mount Hood at the top of Palmer Glacier, an area that allows Timberline to stay open for 10 months every year.

But Timberline’s defining characteristic is the massive guest lodge situated right beside the pistes. The iconic hotel offers comfortable rooms, plentiful dining, a pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a game room for skiers looking to stay overnight.

Timberline is certainly a unique resort that packs a punch in the small ski area it occupies, and is also noticeably cheaper than its competitors. An adult lift ticket on peak days is priced at only $119, compared to $149 at Meadows and around $130 at Bachelor.

All in all, Timberline is perfect for people who aren’t too concerned with terrain and are just looking to have a fun day on the mountain.

Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Bachelor is not only the largest of the three ski resorts, but also the sixth largest ski area in North America at over 4,300 acres. Located around 45 minutes from Bend, the mountain is certainly a commitment to travel to, but it’s well worth it. Bachelor sports 101 runs, 12 lifts (eight of which are high-speed quads), and 3,365 feet of vertical drop.

If you’re looking for a more laid back day on the mountain, with a mix of lodge dwelling and casual skiing, Bachelor still has something for you. There are three lodges at Bachelor (two base lodges and one mid-mountain lodge), all of which offer food, and the two base lodges both offer shopping, rentals, and other guest services.

Bachelor’s main shortcoming is its location. Located around 30 mins from Bend and almost four hours from Portland, the resort requires an overnight stay. This makes the trip to the mountain a very time consuming endeavor. However, for those willing to make the trip, Bachelor is well worth it.

Mt. Hood Meadows

A view of the Cascade Range from the top of Mt. Hood Express at Meadows. Image by Gabe Korngold.

Located about 90 minutes from Portland, Meadows has become a favorite among Portlanders looking for a winter getaway. While not quite as large as Bachelor, the resort still boasts an impressive 2,150 acres of terrain with access from 11 lifts, including six high speed quads.

Meadows also sports a variety of terrain and attractions unlike any other resort in Oregon. A relaxed skier can take their time on the runs off of Vista Express, which offer a stunning view of the Cascades. An experienced skier looking for an adrenaline rush can drop into the steep walls of Heather Canyon or the technical runs in Private Reserve. And for everyone in between, there are terrain parks, groomers, and tree runs galore!

For people learning to ski, Meadows offers gear rental and lessons at all levels, and for the foodies among us, the Sahale Lodge features a food court with four restaurants, as well as a coffee shop and grab-and-go.

It is important to note that Meadows does have some significant capacity issues. The entire resort stems from only a single lodge, and while there are a few huts scattered across the mountain, they offer few options in terms of food, so the lodge is packed come lunchtime. Those looking to ski on peak days should also plan to arrive early to avoid a shuttle from the overflow lot. However, if you want to avoid parking altogether, the resort conveniently offers a shuttle service from three locations in Portland for $25 roundtrip.

Another shortcoming of Meadows is their lift infrastructure and connectivity. Lines on the main chairlifts regularly reach up to 15 minutes, and for some lifts, there is no alternative should you want to avoid the crowds. Even with the 85 runs spread out across the mountain, it is unreasonably difficult to get from one area of the resort to another.

Yet aside from these issues, Meadows still offers a fantastic experience for Portlanders looking to take to the slopes for a day, and is the best local option for skiers who want a variety of terrain or who want to better their abilities.

So which is the best?

Like I said earlier, each resort has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s really hard to choose which reigns above all others. However if you are willing to make the trip to Bend, Bachelor offers the most complete on-mountain experience. For those wanting something closer to home, Timberline is probably better suited for beginner and intermediate skiers, while Meadows is probably a better fit for the intermediate to advanced demographic.

Even so, all three resorts are certainly solid options should you choose to go there, and each has something for everyone.

Bachelor vs. Timberline vs. Meadows: Comparing the three largest ski resorts in Oregon

Timberline Lodge

Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Hood Meadows