Visitor reviews for Timberline Ski Resort

Timberline Ratings

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

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

April 03, 2010
Team Farm from Ski USA - California USA - California
One of the best resorts anywhere, quickly becoming my favorite. Skied Mar31 & April fools day and it was awesome ! Fresh new powder, mixed with sunshine makes for such a great day. An awesome mix of terrain and can always find a place to lay down sum new tracks :) The folks at Timberline are great, the lifts move people very efficiently, weather here is always a wild card but I felt the staff works hard to keep the most available terrain open, and I commend them all (some people just have to complain constantly about something--they should just stay home) Me, I'm gonna continue to enjoy one of the worlds finest ski destinations, every time I get a chance.
March 17, 2010
Kelly from Ski USA - California USA - California
I agree totally with everything another reviewer said in his posting about Timberline. It is so frustrating to pay an enormous amount of money for 2 adults and 2 kids to go skiing and then find that many of the lifts are closed even though the snow is good. I have felt ripped off too many times. Anyway, I hope you guys will pay attention to everything that reviewer says in his comment - the website isn't accurate, never know when a lift will open or close. I don't know why so many are closed on good snow days...it is pure torture to look at the runs and not be able to access them after paying a fortune for tickets. If it's because people don't show up for work, fire them and run the operation more professionally. Plenty of people need work.
January 23, 2010
Lindsay from Ski USA - California USA - California
I tried using the port-a-john at the bottom of Molly's a couple weeks ago but it was locked. The lift operator didn't know why and apologized nicely. No problem. I tried using the port-a-john at the bottom of Normans last weekend. The lock was off so I took off the gear and started heading over when I heard the operator yelling down "Hey Buddy!, that's for employee's only". I asked if he was kidding and he said no, but I kept on heading down the little snow trail thinking what the heck...if it's unlocked I'll use it anyway. But there was another guy in there, one of the operators, and he was just coming out. As soon as he closed the door he slapped a lock on it. The guy was really nice about it and apologetic. He told me that he could get in trouble if he let me use it. Now I don't mind using the woods once in a while. But what if it's an #2 type emergency. I mean, it happens to the best of us...right? So what's the big deal about not allowing folks who pay tons of $$ for seasons passes a way to take care of business when needed? All previous years it hasn't been a problem. The guys there said they had to close it due to vandalism. All it takes is one bad apple to ruin it for the rest. So...if you're planning to go to Timberline, make sure you don't drink a bunch before hitting the slopes or you'll be either high tailing it back to the lodge or trying to find a place in the trees!
January 11, 2010
runmaster from Ski USA - California USA - California
Skied Oregon for over 40 years and Timberline is still one of my favorites! Used to go to Meadows but the crowds, lift lines and 'tudes got to me. The great thing for the rider/skier @ T-Line is no lift lines. Reason is that they do not have a lot of parking. If you are up before 10am you will get a place and never have to wait. I find the staff and the ski hosts, at Timberline, the most friendly and helpful on any mountain I have skied. That all makes a big difference.
October 12, 2009
Ryan from Ski USA - California USA - California
Timberline is a dream come true. I've been snowboarding there since I was 12 years old. I got lessons the first time I went there and was amazed (and still am) at how friendly everybody is. Locals are awesome and there are some great snowboard and ski shops in the Timberline area. There are some flat spots but just keep your board waxed and you're set. I'll be riding Timberline until I die. See you on the slopes.
September 27, 2009
jason from Ski USA - California USA - California
First time really riding Timberline. I got a Fusion pass and there's no turning back. The runs are amazing and just fun. I used to ride Meadows. Haven't been there since the year before.
May 26, 2009
r_wardell from Ski USA - California USA - California
The 08-09 season was one of the best in the past few years at Timberline. I was there twice a week all season and had nothing but excellent conditions until late April - early May as things began to warm up. Timberline is a great resort and the staff are very helpful. My only real issue with Timberline would have to be the 'hit or miss' I saw with the park this year; one day all would be open and the next there would be very little terrain open even though the conditions had only slightly changed. Though Timberline has a few flat spots the ride is always good and the people (including the lift operators) are always great unlike Meadows (Mt Hood Meadows) and thanks to the affordability of the Fusion Pass I will continue to ride Timberline as long as I can.
May 09, 2009
The Kid from Ski USA - California USA - California
Timberline rocked this season 08/09. I just got back in to it after about 5 years and used to be a Meadows fan. But now it's all about Timberline. Great runs for all riders including some insane leaps of faith in Paintbrush. Those skiers with double tip skies look 12 to 17 years old and are just shredding it off 35feet+ jumps. I'll be back year after year. Thanks Timberline.
April 11, 2009
Steve Duke from Ski USA - California USA - California
Love T line (Timberline). Yes, there are a few flat spots but if you keep your board waxed & keep good speed they are not a big problem. That's not what I see though. I see long runs. Take the magic mile onto Kruser; wow. You never think you will ever hit the end and the crowd that rides T line are 'the bomb'. I agree that some of the other parks have more advanced terrain, but they also have a lot of people who can be obnoxious, insulting, & downright hard to deal with. I take my boarding partner (also my daughter) & I feel comfortable that she will not have any problems with people at T line; haven't so far and we go 2 to 4 days a week. The staff are awesome. With a year round season, we will always own a pass. Keep up the good work T line (Timberline).
March 31, 2009
Nick Hastings from Ski USA - California USA - California
2008-09 has been an incredible season at Timberline. I have been up 20+ times, and I would say 15 of them have been spectacular. Today we had champagne powder up to our knees, and nothing was off limits. There's a lot of amazing terrain, you just gotta go suss it out. Don't believe that Timberline doesn't have challenging runs; they're there, but you gotta figure it out on your own (hint: boundary markers mean nothing...). Lookng forward to some killer Palmer runs in the spring.