I agree that Timberline is that resort where the lifties are so friendly. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience today. I've been a pass holder for at least 20 years, making it all the way to 70 years old, yahoo, discounted pass. It was more than epic mid November, first time up, when I had difficulty showing my pass that was under my edge of my coat where it was built in by the manufacturer. I've always been able to hold it up to present it. Being the first time up, I forgot the sequence. The scanner didn't like where it was and started to berate me and tell me I should put it on leash or get one of those old school there are those old school snap back pullout pass holders. I had two of those on my visible on my coat, but one was for my squeegee, the other to scrape ice out of my bindings. It kind of put a bad taste in my mouth. Then the second time around same attitude. I told my ski partner I was going to leave, but he talked me out of it. I'm sure glad he did because the 17" of snow really was epic!
I'm a fan of Timberline. Everybody who works there is super friendly and there is never a wait to catch a chair. The Magic Mile can have amazing snow when the conditions are right. It is very exposed, so not always open ... but when it is... wow! The mountain is kind of lacking in steep terrain, so if you're looking for a steep mogul bowl go elsewhere. But if you want the best snow in the area, friendly staff, and no lift lines, don't overlook Timberline.
I like Timberline. It usually isn't that crowded although the parking lot, like most other resorts, can fill up on weekends. It's a good place for recreational types in the winter season. The terrain parks look great and they do a pretty good job of keeping the recreational types and the park rats separated on the slope. There are some great advanced beginner runs but you need to navigate solid blue runs to get to them. Once you get there though, it's some relaxing skiing without worrying too much about speed demons coming at you. They tend to stay on the upper intermediate runs and you mostly just see them at the lifts.
However, once the other ski areas close in the spring, all the hardcore skiers show up as it's the only game in town. I get that the beginners and intermediates put their equipment away come the end of spring break and it's not cost effective to keep the easier runs maintained, but it's still disappointing. As an older intermediate skier, I wouldn't go back in the late spring or summer because there's few options for slower skiers and boarders on weekends. The last time I was up, I felt like I was getting in people's way. Weekdays, it's probably better.
The shape of the mountain dictates everything but I wish the beginner lift served more terrain or there was a longer lift that didn't require navigating steeper blue terrain to use. I don't use it myself but it would also be great if the magic carpet conveyor was closer to the day lodge (so parents can keep an eye on their little ones).
Another reviewer said on May 13th 2015 "There used to be summer skiing up there on the glacier and they only ran that lift in the summer. Now there's really no glacier so they run it in the winter."
This is completely false. Last winter 2014/2015 was only the 3rd time that the Palmer lift (installed for the summer of 1978) was closed before the end of the regularly scheduled season (usually September).
It is true the glacier is getting much smaller, but it has been open for summer skiing every year since 1978.
T-Line is a fun area for snowboarders (parks), families and those learning. If you need something steeper there's always Ski Bowl and Mt Hood Meadows. But a day in the summer on Palmer glacier is hard to beat!
Wonderful place to ski! Doable slopes, options for stringing together many runs to make a really long, fun run down!
The snow is amazing this year. Very friendly staff. World class historical lodge, with restaurants both casual and upscale. The rooms are updated yet still have enough of the original furniture and charm to set it aside from the average hotel.
Don't miss it.
The glacier or ('permanent') snow field is no longer. But the highest lift is still open in summer (the Palmer). It closed about a month early this year (usually closes on labor day). It can be open in fall or spring when there are few other runs open below. On weekends they have a snow cat take people up in winter, if it is clear enough. The lift ices up too much to make it worthwhile to open in winter when it is usually too cloudy as well. In spring they cut back on staff so they have fewer lifts open, but this spring the bottom of the ski area was closed anyway.
I find the skiing to be so so up there, but it is fun to go out of bounds over for the view of Mississippi Head, when they let you. In summer there is rarely new snow so it is pretty much racers practicing. I like this resort as the mid-week pass is cheap, and they let you ski out of bounds, (sometimes they close the East side due to avalanche potential) which is great for untracked snow. It isn't steep enough for some skiers, who go to Meadows instead, which also has more runs (if they are open they are lower down).
Since there's no snow any more in the western US Timberline has been okay the last couple of years on the "mile" which is a wide open, somewhat steep run at the very top of the mountain. It's like a blue run or maybe double blue at the beginning. There used to be summer skiing up there on the glacier and they only ran that lift in the summer. now there's really no glacier so they run it in the winter. Skiing Timberline is probably what people thought skiing was about in the 20's. Not what we expect today: skiing the trees, in steeps, bowls etc. All in all, it's a great spring spot and the spring pass is $99 plus the lodge is stupidly awesome with great food and bars.
Timberline sucks when you can only ride Normans; they close at 3.30. Who wants to ride Bruno and if ya want to go above 6000 it has to be perfect weather; 8 times out of 10 it's closed. When Jeff Flood is closed Timberline sucks' Pucci is for beginners.