This morning, while boarding a flight home at Newark International, I spied a group of young teens with ski boots slung over their shoulders. I was in the back of the plane, so watched as the rest of the passengers boarded and took their seats. Many gave these teens strange looks wondering about the ski boots and bright clothing. I knew their secret.
All these kids were coming to Portland to ski on Mt. Hood. Mt. Hood is one of only a few places in North America where you can ski almost year around. Once the traditional winter skiing season is over, Timberline takes over into spring and summer with the Palmer glacier. Known as the Palmer snow field (or Palmer Glacier,) this chunk of ice is grated daily with a few runs for skiers and snowboarders. When I was up last century, I remember getting up at 5:45am and being on “The Mile” ski lift at 7:15. The sun was shining, I was wearing Levis and a long sleeve shirt and my green RayBan cateye sunglasses. Oh, I think I had a mullet too, but I digress. I skied for 5 hours straight without a break. In the early morning, what you’re skiing on is groomed glacier. By the end of the day, it is carved a bit by the skiers, but slushy. In June and July, the traditional summer skiing season, one can only ski for about 5 hours before the runs are closed. Also, because you are at 8000+ ft, you are pretty darn close to the sun. I’m a pretty white guy and suffered that sunburn for almost a week. It was worth it.
When I was there in the early 1990’s, I remember meeting members of the US Ski Team and the recently formed US Snowboard team. Then, the snowboarders got 2 or 3 of the 12 runs. Now, as I understand it, they have most of the runs, carved precisely how snowboarders need it in order to become world class competitors.
Timberline is the place to be if you’re a skier. If you’ve never been up on the mountain during this time of the year, you should seriously go. It is amazing! Skiing this summer is from 8am-12:30pm and runs $52 a day. The summer season is open until September 7.
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Enjoyed your article about Summer skiing at Timberline! As I waited with my daughter on Sunday morning for her to board her flight to Portland, I wondered if she knew how fortunate she was to be going to Mt. Hood for 2 weeks! She may not realize it now, but I think years from now, she will look back and remember – just as you did what a great time she had going to Summer Ski Camp and skiing in June at Timberline! I only hope that she remembers this week to use the sunscreen!
Thanks Tammy. Where is she coming from? She’ll have a great time. The group that was on my plane were going to the High Cascades ski camp.
I second that belief about Timberline’s memory-making ability. I talk to so many people who have the place woven into their childhood vacations. I love the chalet (dorm-style) rooms, myself! #inMtHood
She was going with the WinAlpine Ski Racing; about 30 teens from around Michigan – they’re training for GS and Slalom.
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