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Ski USA - Oregon

Timberline Resort Reviews


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Visitor reviews for Timberline Ski Resort

Timberline Ratings

Overall: 3.8. Based on 42 votes and 47 reviews.

Rate this resort

Snowsure: 4.4

  • Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
  • Is often closed due to a lack of snow
  • Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
  • Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
  • Timberline is snowsure even in the poorest seasons

Variety of pistes: 3.8

  • The ski runs are featureless and unvaried
  • The ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week
  • Timberline has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain

Off-piste: 3.5

  • No off-piste worth mentioning
  • Off piste is out-of-bounds
  • Some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days
  • A vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days

Scenery: 4.7

  • An ugly resort in a bland setting
  • Average mountain views and resort
  • A spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town

Access: 4.3

  • At least one overnight stop
  • Requires a whole day
  • Requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns
  • Arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon
  • There is a main airport within an hour of Timberline

Public Transport: 3.3

  • There are no buses or taxis to Timberline
  • There are slow or infrequent buses / trains available
  • Getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections

Accommodation: 3.9

  • No places to stay in/near Timberline
  • A few places to stay in the resort
  • A wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets

Cheap Rooms: 3.1

  • No budget accommodation available
  • Just one or two hostels so book ahead
  • Several cheap hostels and pensions available

Luxury Hotels: 3.8

  • No luxury accommodation available
  • Just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead
  • Several up-market hotels in Timberline

Ski in/Ski out: 4.3

  • The ski area is located far from any accommodation
  • A free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip
  • Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available

Childcare: 3.0

  • There are no child care facilities at Timberline
  • The resort has limited child-care facilities
  • the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche

Snowmaking: 2.5

  • Timberline relies entirely on natural snow
  • There are just a few snow cannons
  • There are snowmaking facilities on all pistes

Snow Grooming: 4.6

  • There are no snow groomers at Timberline
  • Occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state
  • All the runs at Timberline are groomed daily

Shelter: 3.8

  • There is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut
  • There are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close
  • Timberline is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close

Nearby options: 3.4

  • If snow conditions are poor at Timberline, it will be poor everywhere nearby
  • There are good alternatives within an hours drive
  • Other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions

Regional rating: 4.2

  • Timberline usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region
  • Has average conditions for the region
  • Usually has the best snow conditions in the region

Lift Staff: 4.5

  • The staff at Timberline are rude or unhelpful
  • Lift staff at Timberline are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help

Crowds/Queues: 3.7

  • The resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues
  • It is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays
  • It is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare

Ski Schools: 4.1

  • No ski schools available
  • One or two ski schools but local language only
  • A few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors
  • Plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available
  • Excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors

Hire and Repairs: 4.6

  • Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex
  • There are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance
  • Good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible

Beginners: 4.5

  • Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard
  • A few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week
  • Vast areas of gentle terrain

Intermediates: 4.7

  • No intermediate terrain at Timberline
  • Intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days
  • Vast areas of cruising runs

Advanced: 3.4

  • Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders
  • Enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste
  • Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week

Snow Park: 4.4

  • Not even a kicker at Timberline
  • Average sized park quite well looked after
  • Huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails

Cross-country: 3.1

  • There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Timberline
  • There are some cross country trails available
  • The area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails

Luge/Toboggan: 1.8

  • No designated luge or toboggan runs
  • There are toboggan runs that open quite often
  • Timberline has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages

Mountain Dining: 4.0

  • Nowhere to buy food by the pistes
  • Some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive
  • There is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets

Eating: 4.0

  • Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop
  • There are a few places to eat in the resort but nothing special
  • A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants

Apres-Ski: 3.9

  • Nothing to do, not even a bar
  • There are a few bars in the resort but nothing special
  • Clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere

Other Sports: 3.2

  • No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts
  • Resort has just a small public swimming pool
  • Resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool

Entertainment: 3.5

  • Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here
  • The non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week
  • The resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports

Winter Walks: 3.9

  • Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails
  • A couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails
  • Extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities

Ski Pass Value: 3.9

  • A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available
  • The ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts
  • Ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area

Value (National): 4.1

  • Overall, Timberline is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money
  • Overall represents average value for money
  • Overall offers the best value resort in the country

Value (Global): 4.0

  • Overall, Timberline is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world
  • Overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries
  • Internationally the resort offers excellent value for money

Show all 35 ratings

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June 16, 2014
Dr. James from Ski USA - California USA - California
The Pros: 1)The best cruiser runs on Hood. Wide, mellow, fun for the whole family, kind of resort. 2)The best, most consistent terrain parks around. Creative and progressive; Timberline's park crew has lots of tricks up their sleeve. 3)The historic day lodge is like taking a step back into history. You will never see another lodge as majestic as this one. 4)Epic sidecountry!!! That's all I'm gonna say about that. 5)Summer. This is the only resort in the US that is open year round. Nothing like slashing the half-pipe on the 4th of July! 6)You get to start out with a warm up run before you have to ride a chairlift. Really nice on cold days. The cons: 1)Their website/snow conditions page is kind of useless. More updates and lots more first hand snow reports would help out vastly. 2)Parking can fill up on peak weekends. So just make sure you get up there early if you want your Christmas turns. 3)The weather: Yes, the same weather that dumps up to 600" in a season is the same weather that shuts down and wind blasts the upper Mt. For days on end. But a good rule is if you can't see the summit or it's windy in the parking lot then you don't wanna be above tree-line anyhow. Overall, Timberline offers up experiences you just can't find at most resorts. The views are some of the best you will ever see; 365 days a year! The snow is almost always soft and it's almost 3 miles top to bottom! See ya up on the Palmer Glacier and just remember to put on lots of sunscreen or the UV up here will get ya.
April 22, 2014
mountain girl from Ski USA - California USA - California
I love it here! I ride 3 of the 5 resorts on Hood and I don't understand those complaining about no efforts on maintenance.? Timberline grooms far better than the other 2. And if you're a park rider or skier, T-line writes the book that other mts follow. Palmers only open on the weekends, in the winter, when it's safe to be up there (it IS a glacier, so unless you're experienced in riding a solid sheet of ice, you should probably just stay off it). Flat, well ya it is but there are plenty of hidden stashes of steep, but no locals are gonna tell ya where they are. You need a warming hut? Buy better gear. I have no problems hitting 40mph up here, but then again I wax my equip. People who don't like it, complaining about the price, well duh skiing & snowboarding is not a cheap sport, never has been never will be. But a spring pass that's only a 100 bux 'till the end of May doesn't get any cheaper than that. Meadows day ticket is almost that price and they're almost done for the season. Go somewhere else & be a downer. The staff is awesome, and the higher elevation guarantees more days of shed when lower elevations, like Meadows or Skibowl get rain. On that note 5in of fresh are waiting for me!! I ♥ Timberline..
April 17, 2014
Blake Perkins from Ski USA - California USA - California
Simply the best bang for your buck on Mt. Hood! There are other places to ski around here for sure, but nothing beats the atmosphere, wide range of slopes with all sorts of challenges, small lines, nice lodge, and super friendly staff. The kids club is an awesome bargain for the young ones to learn, and their instructors are top notch. Add on the longest skiing season around, and you have a winning combination. Although the upper mountain is not always open, when it is it is a heck of a ride. Many people don't realize what it takes to open up the Magic Mile and the Palmer after snowstorms, and get a little grumpy when they see it closed. Safety first folks! That place up there is wide open and no trees to block the wind, so it takes a beating when it is stormy. Next time you ride the Upper Mountain lifts, take a look at the ice sticking out sideways on the towers and you will start to realize!! You may then appreciate it when it is open. When it's not, there is plenty of steep stuff around Molly's Express or narrow winding stuff at Lower Creekbed to whet your whistle (just watch out for the waterfall!). And if you board, there is plenty of terrain park bliss to get your ride on. So overall, ski or snowboard, young or old, Timberline is just what the doctor ordered, without killing your pocketbook. Head up to T-line and you will find nothing but a good time and don't forget to stop at Joe's Donuts, in Sandy, on your way up for an apple fritter, or Calamity Jane's on the way home for a great burger. Some family traditions we rarely skip!
March 19, 2014
Mark Dryden from Ski USA - California USA - California
As stated, they do not make any efforts to open the upper mountain on good days. Yes, the lower mountain is flat, as flat as you can have a hill and still somewhat slide down. The upper portion looks like it could be fun, but will have to wait until the summer camps start before you can get up to ride it. Timberline Operations Management, you all really need to try harder, if your trying at all. You all have had more than one opportunity to open the upper mountain (Magic Mile) in 2014 and made no effort. This family won't be going back.
February 20, 2014
Michael Rogers from Ski USA - California USA - California
These guys are lame. Here's why: They don't make the extra effort to open lifts on good days. Online updates by 8-amM!?!? Flat, boring, and windy. Could I get a warming hut please? Oh no, you mean Silcox lodge... Sorry, we rent that. Did I mention Flat, boring, and windy? Not to go total Bono on these guys, they are great, I suppose, if you wanna go really, really slow and dodge even slower skiers. Or, if you really like Pucci. Maybe you have five kids that you wanna teach to ski, and you don't really know how to yourself? This place is for you, then. It's a cool spot to take the fam if y'all wanna stick together. But the more powder, the slower it gets.
February 19, 2012
Jay from Ski USA - California USA - California
Been riding this volcano for 42 years and Timberline and its place on the mountain, its team that runs the facilities and the overall ambiance of the resort has been a place of great fun for all those years. Without trash-talking the other place on the mountain, I have to say - Go T-Line!
January 03, 2011
John from Ski USA - California USA - California
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.
December 13, 2010
Jeff O..(Team Farm) from Ski USA - California USA - California
With a storm coming in, I headed up to Timberline Nov 29th 2010 and was greeted by some incredibly light, dry powder & it only got better over the next couple of days. Each day I woke to at least 6" of pow, Wednesday was epic (think I remember waking to 14+" of soft awesome powder 'till Thur when the snow became a little wetter/heavier) but was still good skiing. Had the place almost to myself mid week & laid fresh tracks on every run (& the Mile was even open Mon :) ). The staff were awesome the whole time and told them I'd see them next storm. And sure enough, a new Pacific storm was brewing by Wednesday 12-8-10. Thur am woke up to plenty of new snow & it was an awesome day of skiing. But (even though the forecast was to warm up with high snow levels) Fri this never materialized & it was my best snow day in over 7 mnths: 12+ in the am & snowed hard all day; totaled 27" in the 3 days I was there! Not the dry pow we all want but still awesome. I went and made a couple of runs towards closing that Id laid fresh tracks on that am & couldn't even see my tracks (or anyones!). Way cool! Weather man says Tues & Weds this week cools off & snows a bunch :) So...I'm packing my ski bag as we speak, and the wifey & I will be there for this change of weather! PS: to the Timberline staff - keep my room available for at least the next couple of days! You guys are awesome!
October 26, 2010
Erik from Ski USA - California USA - California
Timberline has the longest snowboard season in the United States. This year season passes were good starting the first weekend in October, and are valid until June! They even had an early season park up. There is nowhere else you get to hit a 35' jump and a bunch of fun rails in October! Timberline is known for their amazing parks. They are always perfectly groomed, consistent, have good flow, switched up every now and then, creative, and not too many gapers messing everything up. Parks range from small beginner features, to huge 50+ foot booters. If you ride here consistently you will realize it is actually a big community of riders and easy to meet and make friends with all the regulars. A totally different atmosphere than every other resort I've ever been to in my 10 years riding. To sum it all up... short lift lines, amazing parks, good employees/management, and a nice long season.
April 26, 2010
brent r from Ski USA - California USA - California
April 25th 2010 at Timberline. Great day, sunny, low wind and warming quickly. Lowest of three lifts unskiable by 11am, upper chair was mush at 1:30. Should have been no problem to finish the day skiing the Palmer chair at the highest elevation except it didn't run today. So much for spring skiing on the highest lift served snowfield in the country.