Winter Van Life: Timberline Lodge & Ski Area
When We Visited: February 2020, April 2023
Timberline is one of four ski areas on Mount Hood and offers the longest ski season in North America. During the 2019/20 season, our intention was to end our season at Hood once most ski areas closed using our Loveland season passes. But then our van’s diesel heater blew up in February, so we had to detour from Salida, Colorado to Sandy, Oregon to have it fixed. It just meant that we would ski Timberline sooner than expected, and we’d be able to ride Mt. Hood Skibowl too.
Timberline Lodge is known for its exterior’s appearances in the movie The Shining, so we celebrated our first night sleeping on Mt. Hood by streaming the Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall film.
Timberline is one of my top picks for intermediate skiers and riders because most runs are rated blue. With the addition of Summit Pass to their permit area in July 2021, Timberline now has the most vertical in the US at 4,540 feet. And most of that vertical can be enjoyed by those at an intermediate level.
Also, single black diamond trails are short and manageable if you’re an intermediate that is ready to try the next level of difficulty. I don’t think they are as intimidating as advanced trails found at Mt. Hood Skibowl or Mt. Hood Meadows.
If you need to get your skis or boards tuned, try the rental shop in the Wy’East Day Lodge. I was so happy I could get a wax and edge tune and have my skis back within an hour!
Plan Your RV/Van Life Road Trip to Timberline
timberlinelodge.com
27500 East Timberline Road, Timberline Lodge, OR 97028
(503) 272-3158
Send a message
Pass affiliations: Mt. Hood Fusion Pass 2023/24, Powder Alliance 2023/24
Mountain Stats
- Average annual snowfall: Historical Snow Data
- Skiable terrain: 1,685 acres
- Vertical: 4,540 feet
Driving to Timberline
US-26 is a fairly mellow mountain highway. But once you turn on Timberline Highway on your final stretch to the ski area, it is very curvy and steep. Apparently, Timberline Highway closes during early AM hours when winter conditions exist. I wish I took a picture of the sign to share the exact message as it did provide specific hours.
Visit this Mt. Hood National Forest site for helpful links related to weather and road conditions on Mount Hood.
Parking at Timberline
An Oregon Sno-Park permit is required to park at Timberline, which you can purchase at the Wy’East Day Lodge. Otherwise, go here for a complete list of Sno-Park permit vendors. During the 2022/23 winter season, California and Idaho honor the Oregon Sno-Park permit. You can learn more about “Neighboring State Permits” here.
There are two lots at Timberline – Main Lot and Salmon River Lot. The Salmon River Lot will appear on your right as you enter the ski area. If you continue past the Salmon River Lot, the Main Lot will appear on your left. Parking in the lot closest to Timberline Lodge is reserved for overnight lodge guests.
We’ve always parked in the Main Lot, but I think from now on we will park in the Salmon River Lot. The Main Lot is very sloped so it’s uncomfortable for spending an extended amount of time in our van when we’re working or taking a break from skiing. Also, last time we were there, the parking situation in the Main Lot was a disaster and many cars were blocked in.
My advice if you do park in the Main Lot is to back into a snow berm along the perimeter. Otherwise, if you park in the middle, do your part to ensure that your parking spot won’t result in another vehicle getting boxed in and hope that it doesn’t happen to you.
The Salmon River Lot is much flatter and doesn’t seem to cause parking confusion given it’s smaller size. Walking distance to the lodge from the Salmon River Lot isn’t that dissimilar than the walk from the Main Lot.
For more information, see Timberline’s parking page.
Using Your Powder Alliance Benefits at Timberline
Bring your season pass with Powder Alliance benefits and a photo ID to Guest Services in the Wy’East Day Lodge. You’ll be given a printed lift ticket and a ski tie. You must return to Guest Services each day that you intend to ski/ride.
Tips for Skiing/Riding Timberline
If you want to say you’ve done Timberline’s entire 4,540 feet of vertical, see their site for instructions on how to do it successfully.
Working Remotely at Timberline
Texting, emailing, browsing online, and streaming entertainment works great for us using AT&T in Timberline’s Main Lot. No cellular booster needed. It also works well along the main street in Government Camp and downtown Sandy.
Where to Sleep in Your Van/RV
Overnight RV camping is not permitted at Timberline. See their Conditions page.
Timberline does have overnight parking in their Main Lot which is marked by two signs, one on each end of the designated area. However, it seems this section is primarily intended for people that don’t plan on sleeping in their van, RV, or other vehicle and is often used by people ascending Mount Hood at night. If you decide to sleep there, it’s at your own risk.
For camping options and other conveniences near Timberline, as well as sightseeing ideas, see our full guide to Mount Hood.
Other Mount Hood Ski Areas
- Mt. Hood Skibowl (Powder Alliance 2023/24) – 6.9 miles / 15 minutes in Government Camp
- Mt. Hood Meadows (Indy Pass 2023/24) – 15.8 miles / 25 minutes in Mt. Hood
- Cooper Spur Mountain Resort (Indy Pass 2023/24) – 27.8 miles / 45 minutes in Mt. Hood
