Which Mt Hood area should I hit?

[frEEk]

Making a stop at Hood 3 days from now (Crystal tomorrow, but looking a high chance of suckage) and now that I pull up a detailed map I find there are _three_ bleedin' ski areas there. Only have a day, so which one should I check out? I see Meadows is the largest but Timberline looks liek it may be more spectacular (and given the warm wave running thru the coast now, the extra elevation may be critical). Any locals can guide me to the best chance for success?

Baker was epic on the 31st, Stevens borderline sucked a couple days ago, Crystal not looking good. Here's hoping the trend reverses with Hood.

[superstator]

Here's hoping the trend reverses with Hood.

Don't count on it.

[frEEk]

If it doesn't, it is likely to just get worse since Mammoth and Tahoe are next on the list, and I hear Tahoe has next to nothing and Cali is in a heat wave so Mammoth isn't likely to be any better. At this point, Utah can't come soon enough.

[superstator]

I think you picked the wrong year to go PNW->Cali->Utah. Too late to head north for Whistler or Revvy?

[Jballz]

Meadows has the most snow. but I think skibowl has the steepest terrain open(if they haven't lost too much snow since saturday) go to meadows if it isn't raining, or skibowl if upper bowl chair is running

[superstator]

Actually Timberflats has a better base right now, but it gets old real quick. In any year it basically goes Timberline = most snow, mellowest terrain; Skibowl = least snow, best terrain; Meadows = slightly less (but sometimes higher quality) snow than Timberline, good but not amazing terrain, most people. If the weather performs, Skibowl is the place to be. If not, Meadows is an acceptable substitute. Timberline is great for your out of town friend that only skis blues and wants some atmosphere.

[frEEk]

Count me surprised. Skibowl looks smallest and tamest judging by their maps; I had all but written it out of the running. Guess you trade off the view (if you can see anything) for terrain.

And yes, it does seem PNW is not choice this season (except my day at Baker which was spectacular). Mother Nature is a fickle mistress after all. Bit surprised given Whistler (that's what I live, the whole point of this trip was to see everything else) had such a good start to the season, I expected the PNW would all be doing well. If I had realized this I would have considered doing the loop backwards (BC interior, rockies, then down to the US). However, that may not be any better, as the North Shore mountains were sucking just before xmas too. I wonder.... maybe it isn't too late to backtrack. Havent' gone _that_ far south after all. Now I have to research conditions in BC... great.

[Patarero]

Skibowl has some nice cliff bands.

Meadows on the weekend=massive crowds/lift lines, especially since the "sidecountry" isn't open yet. Skibowl Fri night/sat am might be good if the freeze level stays low. Touring would probably be your best bet for good turns on Sat/Sun.

[superstator]

Skibowl is very small compared to Meadows, for sure. Honestly, a lot of the appeal of skibowl is that it's 20-30 minutes closer to PDX, and has a lot better night ski setup. Meadows has lots of great terrain too, but most of the good stuff is in Heather Canyon, and can be closed for long periods. Heather has yet to open this year, and I wouldn't expect it to in the next few days.

[getoutside]

I think you picked the wrong year to go PNW->Cali->Utah. Too late to head north for Whistler or Revvy?

^^ turn back. head back to baker, whistler or revelstoke. if you can't, hit meadows and pick up a surfboard for cali.

[frEEk]

I just can not get used to this focus on night skiing I've seen so much of so far. I don't understand who wants to night ski? (except myself 20 years ago when I didn't know any better)

[superstator]

People with regular jobs, who hate weekend crowds? Skibowl doesn't even open until 3pm on Mondays & Tuesdays. No lift lines, colder temps to keep the slush away, no flat light from the overcast - what's not to love? It's half the fun of living in pdx; I can get off work downtown a couple hours early and still get fresh tracks on a snowy Tuesday, for $20 and 45 minutes of driving.

[astralboy15]

On Hood I'd say don't even consider flatline (timberline). Meadows or Skibowl. If you want to see what real PNW riding is, hit up Skibowl at night when it's raining. I know it sounds like it sucks, but it's seriously fun. Meadows seems like the best bet, atm.

[frEEk]

^^ turn back. head back to baker, whistler or revelstoke. if you can't, hit meadows and pick up a surfboard for cali.

But the whole point of this trip was to travel, not just find a good resort and sit there. I been sitting in the "best" resort for 10+ years and become WAY too complacent.

[frEEk]

People with regular jobs, who hate weekend crowds? Skibowl doesn't even open until 3pm on Mondays & Tuesdays. No lift lines, colder temps to keep the slush away, no flat light from the overcast - what's not to love? It's half the fun of living in pdx; I can get off work downtown a couple hours early and still get fresh tracks on a snowy Tuesday, for $20 and 45 minutes of driving.

In all seriousness, I get the attraction if all you are doing is greens and blues, or I suppose park & pipe. But what hill has interesting terrain under the lights?