Where to Find Snow in Oregon

If you live in Oregon, chances are you see snow as a fun occasional event in the winter. Snow happens seldom at the coast, but east of the Coast Range and west of the Cascades, we often get a few inches per year. We might get enough to sled, but anything more than that you will have to get to the mountains. The Cascade Mountains that run through Oregon reliably get snow and have some great skiing and opportunities for both downhill and cross-country skiing. You can also sled at various locations in the Cascades, and snowshoeing is an awesome way to get around and really experience the beauty and quiet of a snowy winter. Even at some of the popular and crowded ski resorts, there are many places to find the less-traveled snow and just enjoy being in this winter phenomenon. Here’s where to find snow in Oregon.

A group of snowshoers make their way through a snowy landscape. Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to experience winter in the Cascades. You can snowshoe at any of the locations named in the article. Photo credit: Kingfiser Mount Hood For people in the upper and mid-Willamette Valley, Mount Hood is the closest good snow. Popular as a ski destination for decades, Mount Hood also has Timberline Lodge, an historic WPA-era ski resort that has been welcoming visitors since 1937. It’s one of Oregon’s most popular tourist destinations, receiving more than two million visitors yearly. The craftsmanship, from the local volcanic stone to handmade ironwork to the wood carving, gives it a classic and historic feel.

At Mount Hood, visitors can ski, snowboard, sled, snowshoe, or drive a snowmobile. Because it’s the closest mountain to Portland, it’s also the most visited and popular snow destination in Oregon.

A view of Mount Bachelor, near Bend, Oregon. Mount Bachelor offers all snow sports and is a very popular skiing destination. Photo credit: Bonnie Moreland Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo Central Oregon boasts two great skiing destinations with similar amounts of snowfall near Bend – Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo. Although Hoodoo is smaller, it has mostly black diamond runs, is much less busy than Bachelor, and has a more laid-back atmosphere. Mt. Bachelor is the “seventh-biggest ski resort” in the United States and has 360-degree skiing off the summit, which makes for an incredible ski vacation. Both have snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, sledding, and areas for snowmobiles.

They are also in Central Oregon, a high desert area that reliably gets more snow than the areas west of the Cascades, so even cities and towns like Bend and Sisters can be great snowy destinations for those who want to see the snow and don’t necessarily want to downhill ski.

Crater Lake in the winter. These amazing views are only accessible with snowshoes or cross-country skis. Photo credit: WolfmanSF Crater Lake Crater Lake, the only National Park in Oregon, gets the most snow of anywhere in the state. It regularly receives more than 35 feet of snow yearly, and visiting in the winter can be truly magical. The extended winter season runs from November through April, though snow tends to start much earlier and last much later.

During winter, many of the roads into the upper levels of the park are closed, and there are no gas stations open. There are also no lodgings available in the park during the winter, so be ready to drive in and out on Highway 62. Visiting in the winter means being extremely prepared, so the park’s website is set up to give you the most up-to-date information about what is open and what is closed.

If you’re up for it, Crater Lake offers an experience like no other. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are the most popular activities because the park is most conducive to those sports. The trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are not groomed, so you need to be ready to work hard if you’re going in after a snowfall. Getting to the rim of the lake is most feasible with snowshoes or skis, and the views are incredible. Snowboarding and downhill skiing are allowed, but there are no chairlifts or groomed runs, and it can be hazardous. There is a snowmobile trail that’s popular with visitors.

Whether you are up for a Crater Lake adventure with few amenities or want to perfect your downhill skiing on a difficult slope, Oregon has options for snow play. They may not be close or necessarily easy to get to, but they are worth it when you get there. Oregon may not be famous for its ski resorts like those in the Rockies, but the Cascades have some breathtaking mountains and snow of their own.

Where to Find Snow in Oregon

Comments