Overall:
3.3.
Based on
104
votes
and
164
reviews.
Vote
Access: 4.0
(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Mt Hood Meadows.
Public Transport: 3.3
(1) There are no buses or taxis to Mt Hood Meadows, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
Scenery: 3.9
(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.
Accommodation: 2.4
(1) No places to stay in/near Mt Hood Meadows, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
Cheap Rooms: 2.5
(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.
Luxury Hotels: 2.3
(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Mt Hood Meadows.
Ski in/Ski out: 2.2
(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.
Childcare: 3.6
(1) There are no child care facilities at Mt Hood Meadows, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
Snowsure: 3.9
(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Mt Hood Meadows is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.
Snowmaking: 2.6
(1) Mt Hood Meadows relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
Snow Grooming: 3.9
(1) There are no snow groomers at Mt Hood Meadows, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Mt Hood Meadows are groomed daily.
Shelter: 3.5
(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Mt Hood Meadows is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
Nearby options: 2.7
(1) If snow conditions are poor at Mt Hood Meadows, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.
Regional rating: 3.8
(1) Mt Hood Meadows usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
Lift Staff: 3.8
(1) The staff at Mt Hood Meadows are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Mt Hood Meadows are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.
Crowds/Queues: 2.8
(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
Ski Schools: 3.9
(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.
Hire and Repairs: 4.1
(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
Variety of pistes: 4.0
(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Mt Hood Meadows has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.
Beginners: 3.9
(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
Intermediates: 4.3
(1) No intermediate terrain at Mt Hood Meadows, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.
Advanced: 4.0
(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
Snow Park: 3.8
(1) Not even a kicker at Mt Hood Meadows, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.
Off-piste: 3.7
(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
Cross-country: 3.8
(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Mt Hood Meadows, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.
Luge/Toboggan: 1.8
(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Mt Hood Meadows has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
Mountain Dining: 3.1
(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.
Eating: 3.4
(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
Apres-Ski: 3.1
(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.
Other Sports: 1.8
(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
Entertainment: 1.9
(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.
Winter Walks: 2.8
(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
Ski Pass Value: 3.1
(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.
Value (National): 3.4
(1) Overall, Mt Hood Meadows is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
Value (Global): 3.3
(1) Overall, Mt Hood Meadows is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.
I've skied and snowboarded Meadows for over 25 years and still discover new terrain and runs each year. It's got everything from gentle beginner slopes, which helped when teaching my 2 and 4 year old daughters, to wide open bowls and steep tree-ed double diamond terrain. Those who complain about the crowds likely have little experience at other ski areas... Meadows on it's most crowded day is less crowded than any New England or Utah ski area on a weekend. There are quite a few grumpy old outdoor dudes that complain about their terrain access being limited by avalanche control and if you ski on a powder day you'll have to listen to them grumble and make snarky comments to the ski patrollers and lift operators. Mt Hood is prone to getting lots of snow and can have dangerous conditions or need storm recovery. This may require extra time. If you can't appreciate your time here, stay home, we won't miss you! I've skied bigger and better mountains for sure but I'll buy a season pass at Meadows every year.
Holy whiners on this page...I find Meadows to be super fun with a great variety of terrain. I'm not sure where all these other people are skiing who seem to think Meadows' lifts are closed more than most exposed lifts. Or that it's some outrageous price compared to other resorts. There are still a few gems out there: White Pass powder, in Utah. But for the most part, $100 barely gets you up Stowe. The terrain is super fun, the runs may not be super long, but they are fun. Comparing it to skiing in Utah or BC just doesn't work. The mountains are completely different; enjoy it for what it is: a mini Jackson hole (sort of). And lift lines...yeah. They can be a bit long, but that's, unfortunately, not the exception as opposed to the norm. Anyway, I guess if you don't like it, don't go; more snow for the rest of us.
February 19, 2019
Tank Birdfinder
from
United States
Extremely crowded on popular days, generally crowded on any days. The staff seem indifferent to customers. Even first chair public rarely see fresh tracks, ski patrol usually has all the lines skied for "patrol safety" or whatever term is used. Snow Park permit required. If it wasn't close to where I live, I'd definitely consider other resorts as better alternatives for the same price. Just my two cents though, some people love this place. I've literally spent a full day with my phone showing 60% of 9AM to 4PM as "standing in line". Of course, it's just a cellphone so how accurate is the GPS.
February 18, 2019
Reinhold Messner
from
United States
The most poorly managed resort in North America. It could be great but with Meadows it’s all about making money. They will close or refuse to open chairs at the first sign of much snow or wind. The upper chair accesses most of the good terrain but because it is closed 90% of the time, we don’t get to ski it. I’ve skied here for 45 years and a season pass holder for over 10, and I can always count on being disappointed and screwed over by Mt Hood Meadows. Sad and pathetic.
February 13, 2019
Kenney Powers
from
United States
The wonderful terrain at Mt Hood Meadows comes with a price. With 3 giant parking lots and buses shuttling people in expect huge lines. You may also find large lift lines on the weekdays because only about half the chairs will be in operation. With all the people you'll be lucky to get fresh tracks on your first run.
Meadows is the best around the Portland area. That said, there are several drawbacks most days with any serious weather (any snow, any wind over 15 mph) as Cascade and Vista lifts do not run. Just be prepared to be disappointed until the weather is bluebird with calm wind and they have 1-2 days to do "storm recovery". The runs are a mix of long gentle ridges with short drops of black diamond territory interspersed. Ten turns and you're done. Heather and Clark canyon offer something that feels more like a real mountain if you are willing to take the traverses to get in and the long run out. If you are looking for world class, this isn't it. If you want some turns close to home, this is as good as it gets.
The only reason I get a pass at Meadows is because it is closest to my home. That is the only reason. If there were any other better resorts, I would choose them 9/10 times. The parking lot/lifty/rental staff up here are so dumb and rotten in nearly every single encounter I have with them, it makes me want to puke. Think you got an unlimited season pass for '17 and some perks (like they list on the website)? Guess again. Meadows sneakily shafted all of their long time pass holders this year and actually removed pass features! Shady and lame.
Soo much negativity on here. The lines aren't that bad if you ski something other than Mt. Hood Express and the skiing is just fine. I have seen lines just as bad or worse at most other resorts depending on weather closures. As to those complaining about Season Ticket holders that just hang out in the lodge, who cares? That should reduce the lift lines, no? The only thing that sucks about Meadows is highway 35 can be a bit worse than just getting to SkiBowl or whatever. Don't bother coming to Meadows on a powder day unless your car is ready and I don't just mean has AWD. Chains or snow tyres on poor road condition days please.
I live in Portland and I've been a season ticket holder at Meadows for 6 years. As a season ticket holder, I go skiing twice a year; always on a weekend or holiday. You can always tell a season ticket holder from Portland because they keep telling you that they are season ticket holders. Mt Hood Meadows loves Portland season ticket holders because they pay $500 or more to say they are season ticket holders and only go skiing a couple times a year. Mostly, they sit in the lodge and tell the other season ticket holders that they are season ticket holders.
Meadows often brags they have the best terrain on Mt Hood. They do not, SkiBowl does. Meadows has the best terrain that gets consistent snow on Mt Hood. They also have lines, lots of them. Meadows is the most crowded mountain I have ever been to. The conditions are routinely overshadowed by having to merge in their lift lines with people who don't know what that means, or by getting run into on the hill by people who think they are "charging" which apparently means out of control in this region. The best days I've ever had at Meadows were icy ones when less than a hundred thousand people showed up to ride the 3 lifts they open before noon. Meadow drastically needs an expansion or an ownership group focused on experience not just profit.
Canada