Industry News
One of the most iconic peaks in the Cascade Mountain Range is Mt. Hood, which stands at 11,249 feet and is the tallest peak in Oregon. Nestled around this stratovolcano are four ski areas, including my personal favorite, Mt. Hood Meadows.
Mt. Hood Meadows is known for having the most varied and exciting terrain in the Pacific Northwest. It has something for everyone in its 2,150-acre playground and has a vertical drop of 2,777 feet.
There are many characteristics to this mountain that make it special. Located on the southwest flank of the mountain, it tends to get more sun and less wind but still averages over 400 inches of snowfall a year. On a clear day, you have incredible views of the mountain itself as well as the other Cascade peaks like Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters in central Oregon.
While it may be lesser known than other major ski destinations, Meadows has some of the best parking lot views in America and has a statistical profile that matches up with Beaver Creek, Colorado. It has as many detachable lifts as Snowbasin and Snowbird in Utah and receives more snow than Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Palisades Tahoe, California.
The crown jewel of the resort is the legendary Heather Canyon. This gated access area accesses black and double black terrain that includes huge open bowls, steep chutes, and glades. Heather Canyon can be distinguished by two sections. The lower area is mostly accessed via the Shooting Star Express. The upper section is accessed by the Cascade Express which tops out at an elevation of 7,300 feet. An additional 1,700 feet of hiking is also available to get to Superbowl. This brings the total vertical on the mountain to almost 4,500 feet. Other gated access includes the Private Reserve area which has a true backcountry feel and is just as challenging.
The mountain is very family-oriented as well. I have taught all three of my kids to ski here. The mountain was voted by Oregonians as having the best cruising intermediate terrain in the state and the south side of the mountain offers more mellow slopes for beginners.
Mt. Hood Meadows’ slogan is “Your Mountain Home,” and I feel lucky to call it my hometown mountain.
