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Known as a year round playground by professional skiers and snowboarders, Mt. Hood, Oregon has a variety of activities year round to keep the whole family entertained.

There are over four options for beginners to novices during the winter on Mt. Hood.

Timberline (affectionately called Timber-flats by locals) is commonly regarded as the spot for snowboarders. With its complicated half pipes, freestyle park and long runs, it's a good place to start for the novice snowboarder or skier, or freestyle lover. Its also the place to check out competitions (Vegetate in April attracts Olympic medal winners) and is one of the only resorts in North America to ski year-round courtesy of its glaciers. Check out the famous CCC built Timberline Lodge, and catch some good views of surrounding lakes on a clear day. Upscale dining and five star rooms at the Lodge make it a perfect destination for special occasions.

Mt. Hood Meadows (Shreadows) is the most popular winter resort, as it features terrain from beginner to extreme. This is the perfect place to take a family of diverse skills. Lots of dining options make a nice retreat from the winter cold, and the ski instructors will happily train away the very young to old. Lift tickets here are the most expensive on Mt. Hood, but still cheaper than most North American resorts.

Mt Hood Skibowl is a short jaunt across the highway from Government Camp, and is the secret pride and joy of natives. Featuring some of the most difficult runs, less crowds, and lots of backcountry opportunities it is also inexpensive. Biggest obstacle to a great day can be low snowfalls. After you warm up in the lodge, grab the whole family for a majestic sleigh ride or quick cross-country trek.

Beginners on a budget can learn to ski at the Government Camp Summit Ski Area for just $10 while the rest of the family takes a break to snowshoe or coast the hill on a tube.

On the other side of the hill, towards Hood River, you can find the secluded Cooper Spur. A $15 pass for folks ten and older will by you all day access to an instructor. They also feature lots of great package deals, a tubing park, and a small, European village feel. Only one lift and ten runs will easily bore the expert, so best for families or groups with lots of beginners.

In the summer, Government Camp hits high season. Skateboard, snowboard and skiing camps and other outdoor enthusiasts call it home from late June to August. The village not only features accommodations from rustic to high class, but also has a variety of dining options including its very own microbrewery. The two late night hot spots are great places to rub elbows with the locals, including the newly renovated Ratskeller. During the day grab a giant burrito from the Taco Shoppe.

Mt. Hood has ample activities to entertain from spring until fall, including nearby whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, or swimming. Take a break from the outdoor sports to spend a day at Mt. Hood Skibowl's Adventure Park which features attractions including: miniature golf, bungee jumping, alpine slides, go karts, and batting cages. Hood River has renowned windsurfing and kite boarding and the entire National Park hosts Lewis and Clark and Oregon Trail historical markers.

Winter Activities:
Ski School
Snowboarding
Skiing
Snow-s hoeing
Cross country skiing
Tubing/Sledding
Sleigh Rides
Ice-skating
Competitions/E vents

Summer:
Skiing
Snowboarding
Skating
Biking
Hiking
Camping
Fish ing
Canoeing
White water rafting
Adventure Park
Competitions
Music Festivals
Historic sites
Windsurfing

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