The Best Places to Ski in Oregon

One of the advantages of skiing in Oregon is the fact that skiers are lucky enough to have year-round access to mountains and snow. No need to worry if it's July and 90 degrees in the city. For those individuals motivated enough to want to ski in the middle of summer it's relatively easy to do. Mount Bachelor and Timberline at Mount Hood are usually ready for skiers at any time of the year. Actually, Palmer Glacier at Mount Hood is the only year round ski resort in North America.

A second gift that Oregon awards to skiers is the awesome powder that the mountains of this region have to offer. If asked, most Oregon skiers would answer that for the best powder, Mount Bachelor would win hands down.

Alpine/Downhill Skiing in Oregon

For skiers searching for some winter snow adventure, there are a magnitude of differing options. In the Cascade Mountain Range, skiers can choose from Mount Hood to Mount Ashland and a flood of lodges and other smaller resorts in between.

Anthony Lake Ski Resort - Eastern Oregon

With an average 300 inches of snowfall, and an elevation base located at 7100 feet, Anthony Lakes skiing resort boasts the highest base elevation in all of Oregon. This Eastern Oregon resort can be found nestled in the Elkhorn Range of Eastern Oregon's Blue Mountains. Here skiers will find only the real thing, no man made powder, just light, dry snow covering the mountain and its trails. For the downhill skiers, the resort offers three separate lifts - the triple chair, the handletow and "The Wonder Carpet". Its longest run measures 1.5 miles, although this is only one of the 21 runs scattered throughout the 1100 acre resort.

For the Nordic skiers come ready to enjoy the 40 kilometers of groomed track set trails, 14% of which are appropriate for beginners, 26% for intermediates and 60% for expert skiers.

Mount Ashland - Southwest Oregon

Conveniently located about halfway between San Francisco and Portland, Mt. Ashland Ski Area can be found in the towering Siskiyou Mountains. For skiers who want to stay near a major highway, Mt. Ashland is barely eight miles off of Interstate 5. The ski area is located near the charming City of Ashland where plenty of lodging and eating options flourish.

Mt. Ashland is home to over 23 trails and a glacial cirque, more accurately described as the "Bowl", where visitors can slide on skis. The mountain receives an average annual snowfall of 300 cm making it a safe choice for a weekend of skiing.

Mount Bachelor

Housing more than 3,680 acres of ski terrain, Mt Bachelor is one of the few places in the world, skiers their sport in a range of 360 degrees, the practice is a real volcano!

Offers from November until May, and sometimes all the way until July, some of the Mt Bachelorthe finest skiing in North America. Below the tree line, any level of skier will find a trail or slope perfect for their abilities. For those with a sense of adventure, the untamed back country, also known as the Northwest Territory, is home to over 500 acres of open snowfields and rugged trails. Skiers wishing to venture above the tree line can ascend up to 9,000 feet using the Summit Express Chair to ski chutes, faces and bowls.