John from United States writes:
The Fusion pass is simply the best deal on Mt. Hood. Meadows is over-priced and this pass gives you two resorts to enjoy. Some may argue that Timberline doesn't have steep enough terrain. While there isn't as much as some resorts, it's there, you just have to know where to look. In the winter, if you have a pass, waiting for the Palmer Snocat is worth it. If you can handle the hour wait, you can lay some fresh tracks up there and it's always an amazing run. Later in the year, the lift to Palmer opens which opens up more steep terrain.
Where Timberline really sets itself apart is the crowds. On the most crowded days at Timberline, the crowds still aren't awful. The longest I've waited in a Timberline lift line is about 10 min. and that was only once. For anyone keeping track, that seems to be the average lift line wait at Meadows. Additionally, the people who work at Timberline are much more friendly than Meadows. Instead of making you feel like you're wasting their time, the workers at Timberline are often happy to talk to you/hang out while you're getting ready, letting you know how the mountain is that day if they've been out riding. Despite this, they still manage to get their job done (something that never seems to happen at Meadows). The riders at Timberline are also better than those at Meadows. The community of riders at Timberline are friendly and there is enough room to speed past the beginners without stopping to scream at them (another issue I've seen at Meadows). All in all, it's a much friendlier, more relaxed place to ride.
And if you don't know where the steep stuff if and want to argue it's too flat, the Fusion pass will get you to Ski Bowl where there is a lot of great terrain when the snow is nice. Additionally, Ski Bowl has a similar laid back attitude the Timberline has where the resort is run efficiently and the workers and riders tend to not be douchebags.
If you're going to Hood and want to have a good time without the douchebag riders/workers and with minimal crowds, hit Timberline or Ski Bowl without question. If you like waiting in long lines and being treated like trash by workers/riders, Meadows is the spot for you.
2011-01-03 |
