Early April Oregon Road Trip - any suggestions?

[007]

I've booked Apr 4-10 for 6 nights/5 days skiing in Oregon. Never been before. I'm a strong but not super-expert skiier. Was thinking of a warm-up day @ Timberline, followed by 2 days @ Mt.Hood Meadows, then 2 days @ Bachelor.

Is Timberline worth a day?

My travel partner snowboards.

For TL + Hood should we stay in Hood River or closer to Hood like Welches?

is 2 days @ Bachelor too little?

 

[Patrick]

Here is something that might be useful...2 for 1 deals for some areas in the PNW.

http://skifreedeals.com/shell_skiforfree.php

About Timberline, not being from the PNW I cannot really say, however if you go, do stay at the Timberline Lodge at least one night. Chris C or Tony could definitely advise you the stuff you want to know.

The chalet rooms are very affordable + you would be staying in a classic hotel in a fabulous setting. I know I enjoyed my stay and ski time there last August.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I would ski 1 day Meadows and 4 days Bachelor. If you want to add Timberline to the "life list", make it 1, 1, and 3. I doubt the Palmer lift at Timberline runs that early. If it does that might make a day there more worthwhile.

If you're flexible you could keep an eye on weather, just in case it's different at Hood vs. Bachelor. I'd also avoid Meadows on weekends as it has a crowd reputation. Bachelor has so many high speed lifts that I routinely get 30K+/day even on weekends arriving after the lifts open and taking time for lunch.

 

[schubwa]

I would ski 1 day Meadows and 4 days Bachelor. If you want to add Timberline to the "life list", make it 1, 1, and 3.

Yup.

I'd also avoid Meadows on weekends as it has a crowd reputation. Bachelor has so many high speed lifts that I routinely get 30K+/day even on weekends arriving after the lifts open and taking time for lunch.

Pretty much.

Later in April, the corn cycle takes over and it can be REALLY GOOD. The Summit Chair starts to be open on a regular basis and you can just follow the sun around the mountain as we have 360 degrees of exposure.

Didn't I say that?

Mt. Bachelor is the best area I've ever skied for spring corn, and I've skied over 100 lift served areas. Especially recommended in a deep snowpack year like this one.

Uh-huh.

If I had only one day I'd probably go to Meadows, they have much more interesting terrain (the tradeoff is a more surly, urban scene). Timberline rules in the summer, however.

Schubwa out.

 

[ChrisC]

If I had 5 days in Oregon, you could do 1 day at Timberline, 1 day at Mt. Hood and 3 at Mt. Bachelor.

Why? I think Hood River is an attractive river town - as interesting as Bend. It's wind-surfing heaven since this is the lowest 'gap' in the Cascade mountains with constant breezes.

Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows are relatively easy mountains. The snow will generally be 'heavy' due to lower elevation, warmer temps, southern exposures and ocean proximity. However, skiing on Hood is an interresting experience - largest volcano with lift-served skiing. The Palmer snowfield & lift at Timberline is closed during the winter making Mt. Hood Meadows a better experience. However, I do not think Meadows is worth 2 days.

There is a noticeable improvement in snow quality between Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor.

Mt. Bachelor is quite large with a 360 skiing experience - there is a backside which goes un-promoted. This mountain is worth 3 days. I love it!

For April, here is perhaps the key difference....

Bachelor faces North

Mt Hood faces South

The snow will feel much better at Bachelor than Hood. Higher and better exposure.

 

[007]

thanks much!