Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Mount Hood Skibowl

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Top elevation
  
5,027 feet (1,532 m)

Skiable area
  
960 acres (388 ha)

Base elevation
  
3,500 feet (1,067 m)


Location
  
Mount Hood, Clackamas County, Oregon, US

Nearest city
  
Government Camp immediately north, Portland 60 miles (100 km) west

Runs
  
65 20% beginner 40% intermediate 40% advanced

Mount Hood Skibowl is a recreation area on Mount Hood located near Government Camp, Oregon. It is the largest night ski area in the United States, and the total skiable area encompasses an area of 960 acres (388 ha) (about two thirds of this is lit). The resort is the closest ski venue to Portland, with an elevation of 3,600 feet (1,097 m) at the lodge, rising to just over 5,000 feet (1,524 m) at the summit. The average snowfall at the area is 300 inches (762 cm), with an average consolidated base around 100 inches (254 cm) and 65 marked trails. The area is also popular for summer recreation with mountain biking. An adventure park in the area includes alpine slides, zip-line, and bungee jumping. As well as other outdoor activities. Just across the highway is Government Camp, the focal point of Mount Hood.

Contents

Skibowl is owned by Kirk Hanna. Hanna purchased Skibowl in 1987 and has made many changes since purchasing the resort.

Mountain StatisticsEdit

  • Average Annual Snowfall: Approx. 300 inches (25 feet)
  • Average Annual Base: 8–10 feet
  • America’s largest night-ski area
  • Average season length: 5 months, weather depending (late November/early December – April)
  • ElevationEdit

  • Summit: 5,066 feet at Tom Dick Peak
  • Base: 3,600 feet
  • Vertical drop: ~1,500 feet
  • Trails and MapEdit

  • Skiable Area: 960 acres including 300 acre outback area.
  • Total Runs: 65
  • Beginner runs: 20%
  • Intermediate runs: 40%
  • Expert runs: 40%
  • Longest run: 3 miles (Skyline trail)
  • Terrain parks: 3
  • Jesse’e Flight Terrain Park
  • Govyville Terrain Park
  • West Rope Tow Terrain Park
  • HistoryEdit

    Mount Hood Skibowl began as two separate resorts, Skibowl and Multorpor. In 1928, Everett Sickler developed Jump Hill on Multorpor Mountain. The following year, the Cascade Ski Club began holding competitions on the hill, which brought national recognition after hosting a National Ski Association event. By 1938, Raymond Hughes had built the first tow rope on Multorpor on what is now the ski run named, Raceway. The current lodge on Multorpor was built by George Butler in 1949.

    1937 marked the opening of the Warming Hut on Skibowl and the opening of the mountain’s first rope tow that was installed by French Boyd. In 1946, “Sandy” Sandberg installed the first chair lift that connected the lower mountain to the original Upper Bowl tow rope.

    Multorpor and Skibowl are joinedEdit

    The two resorts came together in 1964 when Carl Reynolds and Everett Darr bought Skibowl. The area is collectively known as Skibowl while the resort at Multorpor Mountain is now Skibowl East.

    Kirk Hanna purchaseEdit

    In 1987, Kirk Hanna purchased Skibowl out of bankruptcy and began making improvements to the resort. Hanna added 300 acres, expanded the runs that are lit for night skiing, and cut the Olympic Certified, Reynolds Run. Summer activities were also expanded with the addition of mountain biking, go-karts, and miniature golf.

    References

    Mount Hood Skibowl Wikipedia