: Collins Lake Resort in the winter

5 Wintertime Stay & Ski Lodging Options at Mt. Hood

January 17, 2018 (Updated October 21, 2019)
Mt. Hood Meadows is just 30 miles from Hood River, with a free Peak Day Shuttle offered between the two locations. (Photo credit: Mt. Hood Meadows)
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Mt. Hood is a magnet in the winter. The white slopes beckon with the fun of skiing, mountaineering, sledding, snowshoeing and the opportunity to clear your head and reunite with nature.

While camping is an option for some, others might think winter calls for more robust shelter. These lodging options fit the bill and bring with them their own benefits from luxurious spas, to idyllic views, exciting experiences and authentic après-ski gatherings to make your wintertime Mt. Hood visit even more memorable.

As a bonus, these lodges all offer ski-and-stay package deals in partnership with nearby ski areas to make your winter getaway more streamlined and more affordable, and most have car-free transportation options to access Mt. Hood.

Cooper Spur Mountain Resort

Cooper Spur Mountain Resort

Cooper Spur is located 12 miles east of Mt. Hood Meadows, halfway to Hood River. The rustic resort is tucked into the north slope of Mt. Hood National Forest at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The historic resort includes a series of peeled log structures including the main restaurant, the hotel lodge with three condos and six hotel rooms, plus six standalone cabins and a larger private log home. All of the lodging, with the exception of the six hotel rooms, feature a cozy private fireplace.

Cooper Spur offers Nordic skiing and snowshoeing as well as lift-accessed skiing and snow tubing at nearby Cooper Spur Ski Area.

The Crooked Tree Restaurant and Tavern acts as a gathering place with an upbeat atmosphere for guests and locals to enjoy meals featuring locally sourced ingredients. In the winter, the tavern atmosphere is a true après-ski vibe right down to the liftline cable rope you’ll find your feet resting on at the bar.

Transportation is provided to Mt. Hood Meadows for guests with advanced notice. Prices range from $119-129 for hotel rooms, mid-$200s for condos and cabins and $400–500 for the log private home. Cooper Spur guests who stay a minimum of two nights receive a 3 of 5 day Mt. Hood Meadows pass for $129 (restrictions during Christmas, MLK and President’s holidays). Additional  Stay and play package deals are also available for Mt. Hood Meadows throughout the winter.

Timberline Lodge & Ski Area

Timberline Lodge

Timberline Lodge is the only ski-in, ski-out resort in Oregon. The super-popular 60-room lodge located on the slopes of Timberline Ski Area sits at an elevation of 5,960-feet, just below the Palmer Glacier. This Great Depression-era lodge was constructed in 1937 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

Built expressly as a ski lodge, guests are greeted in from the slopes by a warming fire in the towering stone hearth and welcomed by the lodge’s resident St. Bernards. The handcrafted interior exemplifies expert masonry and woodworking as well as weavings and art, all of which root the lodge firmly as a Pacific Northwest destination. The lodge is host to annual holiday traditions as well as frequent food and wine gatherings and adventure opportunities, including guided full moon snowshoe tours.

The cozy guest rooms feature original handcrafted furniture and iconic Pendleton blankets. Bunk rooms can sleep up to 10 guests while the more intimate fireplace rooms accommodate up to six guests with an in-room wood burning fireplace. Guests can also relax in the heated outdoor pool and hot tub, in the Rams Head Bar (those views!), or with a well-earned meal in the Cascade Dining room. Stay and ski package deals are available, including “stay one night and two ski free”available December 1, 2019 – May 31, 2020.

Pro tip: Stay at Timberline Lodge during non-peak days, Monday through Thursday, for an intimate winter experience (and likely more availability too). You’ll enjoy the lodge’s charm without the rush of weekend crowds.

Best Western Plus Hood River Inn

Best Western Plus Hood River Inn

The Best Western Plus Hood River Inn sits on the banks of the Columbia River Gorge, a 30-mile drive from the slopes of Mt. Hood Meadows. Visitors can enjoy the more temperate climate in Hood River at night, while hitting the slopes during the day. This active community boasts great restaurants, brewpubs and nightlife located downtown, on the waterfront, plus a highly-rated restaurant and lounge onsite. Many opt to stay in to enjoy homemade pastas and fresh seafood with panoramic views of the Columbia at the Riverside restaurant .

The hotel offers 194 guest rooms including river-view rooms and suites with up to three bedrooms. The Inn further maximizes its riverfront location with a large year-round heated outdoor pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, plus a dry rock sauna — all the more appreciated after a day on Mt. Hood. A network of walking paths is accessed from the Inn’s shoreline path to various destinations along the river.

The Best Western Plus Hood River Inn offers ski and ride packages that include discounted room prices combined with discounted lift tickets. The Inn combines a Columbia River Gorge experience with winter fun on Mt. Hood.

Collins Lake Resort

Collins Lake Resort

Collins Lake Resort is located in the village of Government Camp. This resort offers both luxury chalets and grand lodges ideal for big groups and families alike. The resort location is within walking distance of the restaurants and services in the village of Government Camp as well as the snow tubing and adventure park at Skibowl East. Within the resort, guests can relax in the heated outdoor pool, jetted hot tub and sauna.

Collins Lake Resort is a pickup location for the Skibowl shuttle as well as the winter shuttle to Timberline Lodge via the Mt. Hood Express. The resort also offers discount ski and stay lift tickets at Skibowl, Timberline and Mt. Hood Meadows, plus all guests receive a VIP Card offering deep discounts all around the mountain.

Mt. Hood Oregon Resort

Mt. Hood Oregon Resort

The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort is a secluded getaway in the town of Welches. Celebrated as a golf and spa destination, the resort holds its own as an ideal setting for a ski getaway. The resort offers 157 guest rooms, suites and villas; the onsite Altitude restaurant features seasonal gourmet Northwest cuisine, with Mallards Pub offering a casual relaxed atmosphere.

The 5,000 square-foot luxury spa at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort is a welcome reprieve after a long day on the slopes. The full-service spa offers a range of services from massages to hydrating facials and a stunning relaxation area with lush forest views. The resort also features an outdoor pool heated to 80 degrees year-round, as we all as year-round golf on the Thistle and Pine Cone nines, conditions permitting.

The resort offers discounted winter rates including reduced room rates for 2019-2020 season pass holders or single day use ticket holders from any Oregon ski resort. The deal starts at $109 for a king/double or $119 for a fireside king with limitations though April 20, 2020.

About The
Author

Annie Fast
Annie Fast is a lifelong snowboarder and traveler. She was the editor of TransWorld Snowboarding Magazine and prior to that worked at the summer snowboard camps on Mt. Hood. Annie writes about outdoor adventures from her home in Bend.