With December’s first major snow storm hitting the Cascades, Mt. Hood Meadows is moving into holiday mode. While the number of lifts and amount of terrain will be determined by conditions, and how much snow the resort receives, Meadows is ready for the holiday season.
Here’s a primmer to get your ready for the holidays.
1. Open Daily 9 AM - 9 PM - except Christmas Eve (lifts close at 4 PM)
Mt. Hood Meadows will be open for day and night operations every day through Monday, January 1, with just two exceptions. The ski area will operate from 9 AM - 4 PM Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and lifts will run until just after midnight Sunday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve). [Hours of Operations}
2. Reserve lessons and rentals online in advance
Meadows holiday reservation system is inventoried so if you make a reservation the morning of the previous day, you’re assured having equipment or getting into adult or kids lessons. You’re equipment will also be pre-teched, and you’ll reduce your time in the shop, bypassing the check-in and cashier and going directly to fitting your boots and picking up your equipment. [Reserve Online]
3. Purchase or Reload Tickets Online
The best pricing on lift tickets is found on SkiHood.com - but you also reduce your time to get on the slopes. Reloading media (lift ticket from a previous visit) is the most affordable and efficient way as it provides direct to lift convenience. Either way, purchasing online in advance saves both time and money! [Purchase Online]
4. Take Park and Ride from Portland
Meadows Park and Ride has three Portland pick up locations and runs daily during the Holidays (except Christmas day) dropping off right at the lodge. Purchase seats in advance online. [Park and Ride]
5. Make a vacation of it in Hood River
There is still holiday availability and Mt. Hood Meadows partners with several Hood River lodging properties to offer discounted lift tickets. It’s a much easier drive from Hood River to Meadows and after a day on the slopes Hood River warms up with fun activities, shopping and great dining. [Hood River Lodging Properties]
6. Nordic Center open daily
It’s not all downhill at Meadows - our Nordic Center is open daily for the holidays from 9 AM - 4 PM for cross country skiing. [Nordic Center]
7. Peak Day Hood River Shuttle is FREE!
The shuttle runs every day from Hood River starting Saturday, December 23 through Monday, January 1; as well as weekends in January and February. It picks up at the Hood River Events Site with the first shuttle departing for Meadows at 8:30 AM (and then roughly every half-hour through the morning after that). First come, first seated. [Hood River Peak Day Shuttle]
8. Snow Shoe tours offered December 26 - 31
Looking for other ways to play in or on the snow? Take a snow shoe tour, hike to Umbrella Falls and perhaps to Sahallie Falls - a true winter wonderland! [Guided Snowshoe Tours]
9. Santa is at home in the snow
Santa is revving up for his big day by spending some time with us Saturday and Sunday. The kiddos can have breakfast with Santa (reservations required), spend some time with him and get him ready for his big day! [Breakfast with Santa]
10. New Year’s Eve Celebration presented by Pfriem
The lifts will run until just after midnight and Prfiem presents a great party featuring live music from Counterfeit Hits from 9 PM - after midnight. There’s a kids party as well and an incredible New Year’s Eve buffet dinner. New Year’s Eve buses board at the Monarch Hotel in Clackamas. [New Year's Eve presented by Pfriem]
Any questions? SkiHood.com
Meadows web site has all the information you need to plan your holiday break to the mountain. This is your best resource for current snow conditions, lift operations schedule and great insight into how to have the best time on the mountain this holiday season!