Mount Hood Skibowl
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.
| Mount Hood Skibowl | |
|---|---|
 | |
 SkiBowl Peak in the Winter | |
  Mount Hood Skibowl Location in Oregon  Mount Hood Skibowl Mount Hood Skibowl (the United States) | |
| Location | Mount Hood, Clackamas County, Oregon, US |
| Nearest major city | Government Camp immediately north, Portland 60 miles (100 km) west |
| Coordinates | 45.30189°N 121.773212°W |
| Top elevation | 5,027 feet (1,532 m) |
| Base elevation | 3,500 feet (1,067 m) |
| Skiable area | 960 acres (388 ha) |
| Runs | 65 20% beginner  40% intermediate  40% advanced |
| Longest run | 3.0 miles (4.8 km) |
| Lift system | 4 chairs, 3 rope tow, 1 platter lift, 1 tubing tow |
| Snowfall | yearly snowfall: 25 ft (7.62 m) average pack: 8 ft (2.44 m)[1] |
| Snowmaking | tubing hill and ski school carpet only |
| Night skiing | Yes, 4 chairlifts, 34 runs |
| Website | Mount Hood Skibowl |
Skibowl is owned by Kirk Hanna. Hanna purchased Skibowl in 1987 and has made many changes since purchasing the resort.[2]
Mountain statistics[3]
- Average Annual Snowfall: Approx. 300 inches
- Average Annual Base: 5-10 feet
- America’s largest night-ski area
- Average season length: 4 months, weather depending (Early December – Early April)
Elevation
- Summit: 5,066 feet at Tom Dick and Harry Mountain
- Base: 3,600 feet
- Vertical drop: ~1,500 feet
Trails
- 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’s Flight Terrain Park
- Govyville Terrain Park
- West Rope Tow Terrain Park
Lift Information
SkiBowl Chairlift Information[4][5][6]
| Lower Bowl Chair | Upper Bowl Chair | Cascade Chair | Multorpor Chair | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chair Number | 1st Chair | 2nd Chair | 3rd Chair | 4th Chair |
| Lift Type | Double Chair | Double Chair | Double Chair | Double Chair |
| Manufacturer | Riblet | Riblet | Riblet | Riblet |
| Year Installed | 1946 | 1949 | 1975 | 2005 |
| Top Elevation | 4,350 Feet | 5,027 Feet | 4,265 Feet | 4,400 Feet |
| Bottom Elevation | 3,650 Feet | 4,250 Feet | 3,840 Feet | 3,800 Feet |
| Vertical Rise | 700 Feet | 777 Feet | 425 Feet | 600 Feet |
| Horizontal Length | 3,300 Feet | 1,750 Feet | 1,396 Feet | 2,900 Feet |
| Slope % and Terrain | 21% – Intermediate | 43% – Advanced | 30% – Intermediate | 21% – Intermediate |
| Average Ride Times | 15 Minutes | 7 Minutes | 4 Minutes | 12 Minutes |
| Access to Terrain Park | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
History[7]
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 Boyd French. 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 joined
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 purchase
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.
Gallery
Skibowl seen from Timberline Lodge ski area as night falls
View from main lodge as night skiing begins
East lodge and part of tubing hill
View from main lodge
Main lodge
Lower Bowl chairlift
Skibowl in spring
Conveyor belt (training area) in spring
References
- "Mountain Stats". Mt. Hood Skibowl. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
- "Kirk Hanna | Kirk Hanna Skibowl Owner | Kirk Hanna Portland Oregon". www.kirkhanna.com. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
- "By the Numbers". www.skibowl.com. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
- "Skilifts.org - Mt. Hood Skibowl, Oregon". www.skilifts.org. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
- "Mt. Hood Skibowl - Mountain Stats". 2007-12-25. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2016-11-22.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- "History | Mt Hood Skibowl | Kirk Hanna". www.skibowl.com. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
- "History | Mt Hood Skibowl | Kirk Hanna". www.skibowl.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.