Best Night Skiing – Mount Hood Skibowl

Is it just me, or is there something special about night skiing/riding? Getting to see the alpenglow while swooshing down the slopes, seeing the sun set over a nearby mountain range while you’re standing on top of one, indulging in apres ski and then skiing some more! What could be better? While most major ski resort regions have night skiing in some form or other, there is nothing on this continent like the infamous and historic Mount Hood Skibowl!

With a motto of “Do it under the lights” and a mid-week operating schedule of 3pm-10pm, it’s no surprise that Skibowl is the reigning King of night skiing in America.

Skibowl is located off of U.S. Highway 26 about an hour and half East of Portland, Oregon. The resort resides in the Cascade Range at the foot of Mount Hood and it’s mostly Northern facing slopes offer skiers and riders great views of Hood on clear evenings.

Skibowl is comprised of two base areas, East and West with 4 old style chairlifts and several rope tows spread throughout the resort. Skibowl has plentiful groomed trail options for all skill levels, as well as some of arguably the steepest off-piste runs to be found in the area. Besides night skiing, Skibowl also has a huge tubing park at it’s Western base.

For drinks and grub, the Beer Stube and the 70 Meters Bar & Grill are located at the base of the mountain, as well as the historic Mid-Mountain Warming Hut. The friendly staff, great scenery of nearby Mount Hood, and free stickers make Skibowl a must shred and true gem of the Cascade Range.

If you ever find yourself swinging through Portland, Oregon, or on a powder hunting mission to Mount Hood, please do not overlook this awesome throwback of a ski area that brings back the old style charm with uncrowded slopes and great snow with powder stashes to spare!

Lift TIckets

Skibowl sells daily lift tickets at it’s automated ticker kiosks in the day lodge for $65, or they can be purchased online. No reservations required and tickets do not sell out. Skibowl is also a part of the Powder Alliance and honors reciprocation from it’s member passes during the Winter and Spring seasons. Skibowl sells a Winter “Fusion Pass”, as well as a Spring Pass.

Transportation

A “Sno-Park” permit is required by all vehicles to park at the Mt. Hood Skibowl parking lot. These can be acquired for $25 for an annual pass, or $4 per day. The parking lot gets a little busy on weekend evenings, but never fills completely. A ski shuttle called the Mt. Hood Express runs from the nearby town Sandy every couple of hours and costs $2 each way or $5 for an all day pass.

Amenities

Skibowl boasts 2 distinct base areas, each with it’s own lodge including bar & restaurant. Skibowl also has the historic “Warming Hut” which is a mid-mountain ski in bar with a cozy fireplace, a resident friendly feline to greet customers and has snacks, beer and wine to warm up skiers and boarders on cold Winter nights. Skibowl West also has a cafe and changing room.