Summer skiing and riding on the Palmer Snowfield at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood is a tradition for many. When many resorts are starting to shut down their operations for the season, Timberline is just opening the Palmer lift, which gives guests access to high alpine skiing well into the summer. This gives Timberline the prestigious recognition of having the longest season in North America.

People from all over the country and the world come to train on the snowfield. This includes ski teams, racers, ski and snowboard camps, and the general public. It is an official training site for the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding, and U.S. Freesking. 

Now as summer is coming to a close, the snowfield is nearly completely melted. It used to be that Timberline would strive to keep the snowfield open until Labor Day every year. This was always conditions-permitting. Lately, it seems mid-August is the new closing date.

In an email exchange, John Burton, the Director of Marketing for Timberline Lodge, had this to say:

“At Timberline, we are very tuned into the waxing and waning of the Palmer snowfield. Summer 2023 began with a solid snowpack. Through the summer season, ending August 18, we were able to deliver a world-class product as the waning accelerated. Today, September 22, the snowfield is almost gone. We have experienced these conditions before, but with more frequency in recent years. Timberline always figures out a way to work with challenges and will continue to do so. It snowed yesterday with more forecasted in the near future. Let it snow. “

As the calendar turns to fall and soon winter, we all hope for abundant snowfall so the snowfield can continue to deliver an extended ski season. If you’ve ever been summer skiing at Timberline, then you know it’s special. There are 12 glaciers on Mt Hood, but the Palmer snowfield is not one of them. It is considered a perennial snowfield, although this year it doesn’t appear to be so infinite. In the future, it appears the snowpack will be critical to keep it in operation.

PHOTOS

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