Industry News
With the first snow of our season forecasted in Oregon, with up to 39″ expected, now seems like a good time to share what’s new at the state’s ski areas this winter.
Ski the Longest Vertical in the US at Timberline
Skiers and snowboarders at Timberline can ski or ride the entire 4,540 vertical feet of terrain from the top of the Palmer lift at 8,540 feet to the base of Summit in Government Camp at 4,000 feet, making for the longest run in the United States.
This adventure requires a clear sunny day and starts with a ride up the Magic Mile to the awaiting Palmer Snowcat (free for season pass and daily ticket holders). Skiers and snowboarders can then cruise all the way down to Summit Pass on a series of advanced and intermediate runs, which end 4,540 vertical feet below in Government Camp. The Timberline Shuttle brings you back up to the resort.
This top-to-bottom run was introduced in 2021 following the 2018 acquisition of Summit Ski Area. The experience is tied into Timberline’s 2022 Master Development Plan, which aims to connect Government Camp to Timberline to improve the guest experience by reducing the reliance on cars.
New for 2022/23 at Timberline: The resort is in the process of replacing the original 1950s-era pool with a new pool to be completed summer of 2023. Summit Pass has a new rental shop building and a new enclosed 250-foot Magic Carpet this season. Timberline has also added to its night ski offerings (see below).
Celebrate Anthony Lakes’s 60th Anniversary
Anthony Lakes in Eastern Oregon is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Celebrations will include two-dollar lift tickets on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, to commemorate the resort’s opening on the same date in 1963. The resort will also celebrate with a slalom race on Saturday, Jan. 21. This race, dubbed the Anthony Lakes Cup, will be a fun, family-friendly race for skiers and snowboarders, including 60s gear and live music.
Anthony Lakes has one triple chairlift and a vertical drop of 900 feet. The summit elevation is 8,000 feet, and the terrain is primarily intermediate and expert.
Go Night Skiing at Oregon Resorts
Oregon excels at night skiing, with six Oregon resorts offering skiing under the lights, including Mt. Hood Skibowl, which has the country’s most extensive night skiing terrain. It’s an unexpected offering that’s fun, affordable, and uncrowded. Night skiing usually runs from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm (and even later on select holidays), with tickets often at half the price of daytime pricing. Many resorts also offer lessons and rentals during night skiing operations.
New for 20222/23: Timberline is upgrading its night skiing experience with new lights off the Pucci chairlift allowing for Thunder and School Yard park laps. Mt. Hood Skibowl offers an unlimited Night Pass for $229, with night skiing seven nights a week.
Oregon Resorts Expand Season Pass Partnerships
Oregon’s 13 resorts have partnered with local and worldwide Season Pass programs, including the Ikon Pass, Indy Pass, Power Alliance/Fusion Pass, and the Power Pass. The resorts include Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline, Mt. Hood Skibowl, Hoodoo, Mt. Ashland, and Willamette Pass. Please click for more details on participating resorts and specifics on each partnership.
New for 2022/23: Willamette Pass joins the Power Pass.
Willamette Pass Is Under New Joint Ownership
Willamette Pass Resort entered into a joint venture with Mountain Capital Partners to operate Willamette Pass Resort this season. The new joint ownership includes the Power Pass, which offers free season passes for kids 12 and under and for adults 75+. Willamette Pass is the closest ski area to Eugene, located 66 miles southeast, operating on Willamette and Deschutes National Forests. The resort is also just over an hour south of Bend.
Willamette Pass Resort is known for its steep terrain, including its marquee trail “RTS,” one of the steepest runs in Oregon; the resort’s high-speed, six-passenger detachable chairlift, and its average of 430-inches of annual snowfall, offering guests access to 29 trails and five lifts across 555 skiable acres, and an additional 20 kilometers of cross-country skiing. Founded in 1941, the 2021 season marked 80 years in operation. The resort has been family owned and operated by the Wiper family for generations.
Not mentioned in the article is that at Timberline, the Alpine trail from Kruser at Timberline down to Summit Pass (or from Summit Pass up to Timberline for those of you with legs) has been widened significantly this summer. An employee told me they are supposedly going to groom the full width. This should make for a better experience whether you’re headed down or up (although I recommend some of the unmarked powerline/maintenance roads for uphill solitude). Last season, when Timberline first started grooming Alpine, it was really narrow and rather unpleasant.