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)
LocationMount Hood, Clackamas County, Oregon, US
Nearest major cityGovernment Camp immediately north, Portland 60 miles (100 km) west
Coordinates45.30189°N 121.773212°W / 45.30189; -121.773212
Top elevation5,027 feet (1,532 m)
Base elevation3,500 feet (1,067 m)
Skiable area960 acres (388 ha)
Runs65
20% beginner
40% intermediate
40% advanced
Longest run3.0 miles (4.8 km)
Lift system4 chairs, 3 rope tow, 1 platter lift, 1 tubing tow
Snowfallyearly snowfall: 25 ft (7.62 m)
average pack: 8 ft (2.44 m)[1]
Snowmakingtubing hill and ski school carpet only
Night skiingYes, 4 chairlifts, 34 runs
WebsiteMount 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.

  • 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
  1. "Mountain Stats". Mt. Hood Skibowl. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  2. "Kirk Hanna | Kirk Hanna Skibowl Owner | Kirk Hanna Portland Oregon". www.kirkhanna.com. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  3. "By the Numbers". www.skibowl.com. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  4. "Skilifts.org - Mt. Hood Skibowl, Oregon". www.skilifts.org. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  5. "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)
  6. "History | Mt Hood Skibowl | Kirk Hanna". www.skibowl.com. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  7. "History | Mt Hood Skibowl | Kirk Hanna". www.skibowl.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
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