In addition to world-class skiing and snowboarding at Timberline, there is so much to enjoy on Mt. Hood in the summer. From hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to catching a ride up to the 7000' level of Mt. Hood, discover all the other fun and thrilling activities that Oregon has to offer.
One of our most popular summer activities is a ride on the Magic Mile Chair Lift to the mountain’s 7000′ level – no skis or snowboards needed! The spectacular view of Mt. Hood, Palmer Snowfield and nearby Mt. Jefferson is one you’ll never forget.
The Magic Mile Sky Ride typically operates early-July through Labor Day Weekend, depending on snow melt. Times of operation are dependent on weather and conditions are subject to change at any time. Tickets are available for purchase at the Mile Ticket Office, located at the base of the Magic Mile Chair Lift, Guest Services in the Day Lodge, or the Front Desk in the hotel.
Please check our conditions for daily operating schedule.
$20 per person
$69 per family of four
Kids 6 and under FREE
Sitting amidst the Mt Hood National Forest, Timberline Lodge is a breathtaking starting point for hiking trails around the mountain. With hiking trails that begin right outside the lodge doors and dozens of scenic Oregon hikes within a short drive, there is a hiking trail for hikers of all skill levels.
Timberline Lodge has easy-going hiking trails accessible around the lodge for our overnight guests and day visitors to enjoy throughout the summer (weather permitting). For a slightly more challenging hike, you can walk a mile up Mt Hood and enjoy the views from Silcox Hut and the Palmer chair lift.
For a map of hikes you can access from Timberline, CLICK HERE. Due to snow melt, summer hiking at the Lodge's elevation typically becomes accessible around mid-July.
Some of our favorite local hikes that are accessible earlier in the summer include Mirror Lake Loop, Tamanawas Falls, and Old Salmon River Trail. For a complete list of hikes throughout the Mt Hood National Forest, check out this list from All Trails.
The lift-assisted Timberline Bike Park opened in August 2019. Family-friendly trails that are suited to bikers of all ages and abilities were purposefully built into the Timberline Bike Park. Gravy Train, the primary green trail, is wide and flows 4.5 miles or about 35 minutes, and is perfect for a first time bike park experience. Several blue and black trails are also part of the bike park.
In order to access the Timberline Bike Park, guests need a lift ticket, helmet, close-toed shoes, and functioning front and rear brakes. Trek bike rentals and safety gear rentals, as well as private lessons, are also available.Purchase a Timberline Bike Park season pass and receive two free Bike Park days at Mt. Bachelor, Grand Targhee, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, and Whitefish Mountain Resort.
The Timberline to Town Trail is also accessible from Timberline Lodge and take riders from Timberline down to Government Camp. The Timberline to Town Trail is a US Forest Service Trail and not affiliated with Timberline Lodge itself. Timberline Road is not appropriate for cyclists.
The Pacific Crest Trail Association supports single-day hikes on the PCT and longer, self-supported trips that don’t require resupply if they are in your local area
The Pacific Crest Trail spans 2,650 miles from the Mexican border to Canada. Timberline Lodge intersects the PCT and makes for a welcome oasis and resupply station for thousands of PCT hikers all summer long. Whether you're hiking the entire PCT or a segment of the trail, stop in at Timberline Lodge for a hearty meal, a shower, and to restock for your adventure.
Timberline is home to the most energetic summer snow scene on the planet. Everyone from Olympic athletes to up-and-coming racers to freestyle enthusiasts descend on our Palmer Snowfield between the months of June and September. Much of the terrain is reserved by various camps and organizations, but we always maintain open areas to the public so intermediate and more advanced skiers and riders can enjoy summertime turns on the South slopes of Mt. Hood. Please note, Summer Camps and public use are assigned specific lane space daily. Each day, as Summer Camps leave the hill and vacate their lanes, that space is then opened to the public.
The Palmer Express chairlift gives Timberline the longest ski season in North America. We wish it was possible to maintain the Palmer Chair during the winter – but frequent and heavy winter storms coat the lift towers in thick snow and ice. These storms often have wind speeds exceeding 100mph and brutally cold temperatures. These factors make de-icing the lift virtually impossible. In the spring, Palmer Chairlift gets a full maintenance check to prepare it for summer operations.
Timberline offers the longest ski season in North America. In ideal years, lifts are open October through August, with maintenance scheduled for each September. Skiers, snowboarders, and sightseers ride up the Magic Mile chairlift to the Palmer Glacier and its lift, where most of the summer skiing takes place, particularly later in the season. In contrast to winter operations when weekends are the busiest, the lifts are the thriving during the summer ski season Monday through Friday, mostly due to ski and snowboard camps. Intermediate and more advanced public skiers and snowboarders are welcome on Palmer as well.
Timberline will no longer offer Climber Tickets, or “one ride” tickets, to the top of Palmer. The main reason for this policy change is Timberline does not promote activities that involve leaving the ski area boundary. Climbing Mt. Hood is a serious endeavor that takes knowledge and preparation. For guests looking for information on climbing Mt. Hood please check U.S. Forest Service resources:
U.S. FOREST SERVICE CLIMBING INFO
U.S. FOREST SERVICE CLIMBING MT. HOOD VIDEO
Climbers must register their group and obtain a wilderness permit from the Climber Registration outside of the Wy’East Day Lodge, then proceed to the Climber’s Trailhead adjacent to the Salmon River Parking Lot and avoid resort operations.
At 11,249 feet, the summit of Mt. Hood stands tall over the Pacific Northwest Landscape, a mecca for mountaineering. Getting to its peak is no easy task. Be prepared, go with Timberline Mountain Guides, and your reward will be nothing short of amazing. Because of snow levels, climbing Mt. Hood is recommended late April - July.
Mt. Hood has an excellent variety of mountaineering routes to accommodate anyone’s interest. All are technical climbs requiring the use of ice axe, crampons, and ropes, as well as the knowledge of how to use them. Even the easiest routes on the mountain require steep, exposed, roped-in mountain climbing on snow. Contrary to popular belief, Mt. Hood is not a "walk-up" climb, so be prepared, get in shape, and have a fantastic mountaineering experience on Oregon’s highest peak.
We highly recommend contacting TIMBERLINE MOUNTAIN GUIDES (541) 312-9242, before beginning your mountaineering adventure. Their guides have received professional mountaineering training through the American Mountain Guides Association, and all have wilderness-based medical training. In addition, they have decades of collective experience guiding on Mt. Hood, and strive to provide a fun, safe, and unique experience to their clients.