INSPIRED BY OUR PAST

By reflecting on Timberline’s rich history and using that inspiration as our guide, we intend to renew our focus on stewardship efforts today, tomorrow, and for the years to come.

Going forward, we ask of you only one thing…

Take a look at our initiatives, find your inspiration, and explore our Visitors page to find out how you can help. Stewardship is a collective effort and it’s going to take all of us to responsibly manage our impact on Mt. Hood and the National Forest which surrounds it. Our combined support will play a vital role in our future and ultimately, each and every one of us will benefit from an economically and environmentally sustainable R.L.K. and Company.

Land and Peoples Acknowledgement

Please join us when acknowledging the ancestral land and peoples of our region, as well as throughout our country, where everyone can share in the balance and harmony-- the “Tamanawit.”

We share the west land boundaries with the tribal communities, such as Willamette, Clackamas, Molalla, Multnomah, Watlala, Chinook, Salish, Kathlemet, Tualatin, Kalapuya, and many more who today are part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Our east land boundaries are shared with the tribal communities of Warm Springs, Wasco, Piute, Tenino, Wishram, and more of the high desert and Columbia River, known as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We acknowledge and honor them all and this ancestral land and water region with integrity and respect. Our active engagement will be consistent and permanent, strengthening relationships and experiences for all who work, visit, and play at Timberline.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LAND AND PEOPLES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Timberline Lodge Construction

R.L.K. and Company didn’t build Timberline Lodge, but we’re inspired by those who did. As part of his “New Deal,” President Franklin Delano Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and funded the majority of Timberline’s construction in 1936. Construction of the Lodge was completed in 15 months – a remarkable achievement – and the Lodge was primarily built by hand using native materials collected on site and from around the region. During this process, laborers, craftsmen, and artists chose to recycle and repurpose materials in order to create some key elements of the lodge and its furnishings. The main interior staircases are a good example of this: made from thick railroad ties, they complement the Lodge’s robust construction, as do the sections of old telephone poles that were used to create the animal-themed Newell posts on the stair rails. Old tire chains were used to create fireplace screens, and railroad tracks were used to make the fireplace andirons as well. Today, “in the spirit of the original”, Friends of Timberline still tries to recycle and repurpose materials during their lodge preservation efforts and R.L.K. and Company encourages its staff to do the same when turning over equipment or supplies. This is just one of the ways we draw inspiration from the past when looking towards the future.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF TIMBERLINE LODGE

Friends of Timberline

Timberline Lodge wouldn’t be what it is today without the help of some remarkable partners in lodge preservation and restoration. Friends of Timberline was established in 1975 as a non-profit organization whose mission is dedicated to preserving Timberline Lodge, protecting its historical integrity, and communicating the spirit of its builders by raising funds and coordinating community efforts to accomplish these goals. As a result of this mission, Friends of Timberline and its partners, the U.S. Forest Service and the State Historic Preservation Office, are all responsible for the condition of the Lodge as it sits today. If you or someone you know wants to be a part of history, Friends of Timberline memberships are available here, or you can donate to the cause by clicking here.

ENVIRONMENT - LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

R.L.K. and Company believes that our industry’s success depends on the health of our natural environment. We believe in providing our visitors with the opportunity to play outdoors and develop their connection to nature. Sustainable operations are key to this success. Our employees are skiers, snowboarders, bikers, hikers, and so much more. We strive to play responsibly and to be good stewards of that which gives us so much enjoyment.

Energy

Let there be light! Timberline has transitioned to LED lighting in historic hotel, Wy’East Day Lodge, on-hill night lights, lift terminals, and the vehicle maintenance shop. Our new lights look great, reduce our energy usage by an estimated 50%, and last for up to 15 years We’ve also invested in upgraded refrigeration units that use less electricity and water.

After 65 years of alpine soothing and cooling, the Timberline pool served its useful life. Decommissioning of the old pool area began in the fall of 2022, making way for a new, more energy-efficient, pool and hot tub at the historic Lodge. Thermal covers will reduce energy used to heat pool, and we switched over to using propane for heating the pool. Propane does not emit sulfur dioxide, methane, or nitrogen oxides. It is listed as an approved source for clean energy in the 1992 clean air act.

With the historic lodge's fuel oil boiler retrofit project, we will be reducing our fuel oil consumption by 15% by 2025.

Waste

We teamed up with AntFarm Youth Services, with funding from Mt. Hood Territory, to expand their Planet365 program into the Government Camp community. Planet 365 is AntFarm’s “can and bottle program” which provides youth work skills experience and the community the opportunity to participate in sustainable living practices 365 days a year. In a nutshell, this program gives a place for Timberline, our local businesses, and community members to recycle their bottles and cans while supporting a local non-profit intent on improving the lives and futures of our youth. AntFarm can and bottle recycling baskets are placed throughout the Day Lodge. We have also placed AntFarm's branded recycling trailer at the Mt. Hood Brewing Co in Government Camp. This trailer is also open to local businesses, community members, and anybody else who wants to recycle a can or bottle.

In spring of 2023, R.L.K. and Companty received a Climate Challenge grant from the National Ski Areas Association to install a bioreactor wastewater system at the Mt. Hood Brewing Co. in Government Camp. This system is projected to eliminate ~ 10,000 tanker truck miles annually and 750 tons of liquid waste. Also at the brewery, we reuse organic brewing waste for compost & animal feed.

No paper, no problem! Actually…we still use paper, but we’re using a lot less of it by transitioning to digital processes wherever we can. Our Rental and Repair Shop, Ski Patrol, Guest Services, Terrain Park, and Accounting departments are all on the digital bandwagon, and our application process is online as well!

All of our used cooking oil is recycled into renewable fuel. SeQuential collects about 300 gallons per month from Timberline's restaurants. Our restaurants also use compostable to-go containers, utensils, and straws.

Transportation

R.L.K. and Company is proud to help fund the Mt. Hood Express, offering public transportation in support of the Mt. Hood community and its businesses. We’ve also purchased four buses to provide the Timberline Resort Shuttle service for guests and employees. It’s true…we want you to come visit! We also take pride in reducing vehicle emissions by offering multi-passenger alternatives.

As more folks choose electric vehicles to offset carbon emissions, Timberline recognizes the need to offer EV charging at the resort. Timberline provides six EV charging stations in the Main Parking area in front of the Day Lodge. The EV parking spaces may be used by all Timberline guests, including paying customers and non-paying visitors. The spaces are prioritized for EVs for four-hour windows with a charging fee applied on a per-kWh basis.  

Timberline also uses PistenBully SNOWsat, an innovative grooming management system. This results in diverse effects that benefit both the environment and mountain safety: optimized workflows and vehicle routes, for example, increase grooming efficiency and also reduce fuel consumption, and snow depth measurement improves snow quality by allowing operators to push snow where it’s needed most, making our slopes a safer place for our guests to play. Great work Mountain Ops and Grooming!

Landscape

We cherish our landscape, its ecology, and the scenic beauty it provides. The view from Timberline is undoubtedly one of the best in Oregon and in an effort to keep it that way, we scrutinize every operational decision we make. Together with the U.S. Forest Service, we work to keep Mt. Hood beautiful by performing environmental impact assessments, ensuring appropriate drainage and erosion control measures are in place, and scheduling group clean-up days to pick up what the seasons leave behind.

The Timberline Bike Park was built with sustainability at the forefront. The Timberline area of Mt. Hood is home to several threatened and rare species of plants and animals. A critical part of designing the bike park was protecting these populations and training all crews on how to properly work within the design criteria. Crews would scout ahead to make sure none of the protected species were in the path of a trail or that the land wouldn’t be disturbed too much. And if one of these species was found, the trail needed to be rerouted.

COMMUNITY - KEEPING IT LOCAL

For over 60 years, R.L.K. and Company has been an integral part of the Mt. Hood community. We are committed to doing business right by employing our local population, featuring local arts and crafts, and promoting the agricultural products of our region. Our community partners, guests, and employees have supported us for decades. We want to return the favor.

Our Community

Mt. Hood is home to R.L.K. and Company, but it wouldn’t be our community without the wonderful people who come here to live, work, and play. We are proud to work with our local schools, non-profit organizations, and employees to form partnerships that help to strengthen the community. Donations are available to local groups and organizations who might benefit from a little more time on the mountain, and our employees receive educational assistance and a free meal each day in addition to the many other excellent benefits offered to those who work for us.

Local Goods & Services

R.L.K. and Company likes to keep it local. Our Retail, Food and Beverage, and Purchasing staff are always working their hardest to source and stock the highest quality local goods. Our Wy’East Store or Gallery Gift Shop can help you find a gift that is uniquely local, or if you’re traveling, you can visit our new Timberline store in the Portland Airport! If you’re like us, however, you’ll want to sit down, relax, and try one of the exceptional meals offered by Timberline’s Food & Beverage teams, who source the best local ingredients including meats, cheeses, veggies, and beverages.

Partnerships

Together, we can do more. R.L.K. and Company takes pride in its partnerships and believes that we can have a stronger positive influence when we team up with those that share our vision and values. Take a look below to learn more about these valued partnerships.

The National Ski Area Association’s Sustainable Slopes and Climate Challenge are voluntary programs dedicated to helping participating ski areas incorporate sustainable practices, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and reap other benefits in their operations such as reducing costs for energy use. The visibility of the ski industry to millions of skiers and boarders every year provides a tremendous opportunity for the NSAA and R.L.K. and Company to lead by example.

Timberline Lodge is a proud partner with the National Forest Foundation. Our participation in the NFF’s Ski Conservation Fund provides a way for hotel guests to lend financial support for protecting the forest surrounding Timberline Lodge. Every time a guest stays at Timberline, they have the option of donating $1 per room night to this fund. This money then becomes available for grants to local nonprofits to carry out restoration work on the Mt. Hood National Forest. Projects that have been completed using this funding include Surveyor's ridge trail re-route, the Salmon River side channel restoration, and Still Creek water restoration. The current project is replacing the boardwalks around Trillium Lake.

VISITORS - HOW YOU CAN HELP

Ride Share

Getting to Mt. Hood can be tricky sometimes. The weather, traffic, parking, gas… No matter what your reason is for teaming up on the drive, the benefits of leaving a car at home are enormous. Before starting your trek, take a moment to familiarize yourself with local ride sharing and public transportation options. It’s easier on the environment and you’ll arrive at Timberline feeling less stressed.

Don’t Litter

You’ve all heard it before. “Keep America Beautiful”, “Don’t Be A Litterbug”, “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute!” Littering is so…1950s, but unfortunately we still see people do it today. Do your part by disposing of your garbage properly and if you see someone else litter, do the right thing and pick up after them. We go outside to be in nature, not a landfill, so let’s do our part to keep Mt. Hood clean.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

These are the “three R’s” of waste management, and it doesn’t take much to incorporate them into your lifestyle. Reduce what you consume, reuse (or re-purpose) what you can, and make every effort to recycle what you might throw away.

Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national organization that protects the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. R.L.K. and Company is proud to support the principles of Leave No Trace by aligning with their values as a Community Partner. Reference The Seven Principles below, and keep in mind that camping and campfires are never permitted within R.L.K. and Company permit boundaries.

The Seven Principles

• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Volunteer

Being a part of the Mt. Hood community means helping out when you can, and R.L.K. and Company encourages its employees and guests to get involved with local organizations that make a difference. Take a look at some of the opportunities listed below and consider the difference you can make.

• Volunteer with the U.S. Forest Service
• Help preserve Timberline Lodge with the Friends of Timberline
• Be a part of history with the Mazamas
• Rescue those in need with Mt. Hood Ski Patrol and Portland Mountain Rescue

Learn

Education is powerful, and we believe that by learning about Mt. Hood’s unique history, landscape, and ecology, you will feel empowered to protect it. Please take some time to explore the links below and dig into the natural features that make Mt. Hood so special.

• Timberline Lodge History
• Mt. Hood National Forest Learning Center
• USGS Geology and History Summary for Mount Hood

Contact Us

If you’d like to learn more about our stewardship efforts or just reach out and share your ideas or feedback, please contact R.L.K. and Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager:

Kyle Heddy
P: 503-272-3147
E: kheddy@timberlinelodge.com