Some Questions for all my Mt. Hood Folk (and Those who Have Been)

You'll be more than fine on snow, they got pretty blasted with snow this year. If you go in June/July your options for park are either to lap the public park, or to pay the additional cost to get access to the "freestyle training center", which is just a fancier park that they build higher up the mountain. That is why so many people go in May, it's much cheaper during spring pass. And all parks are public during spring pass.

I think during the summer they close the park one day a week to refresh it.

I typically stay in an air bnb a little further out than government camp. Don't be afraid to look in places like rhododendron, it's only 15 minutes out from government camp and there are more options for places to stay, food and groceries and such.

My friends and I always land in portland and rent a car. I'm not sure there's any other realistic option unless you are willing to drive all the way out there. I'm too old and soft to be making 30 hour drives these days.

No clue on snowmobiling tours

airbnb is great i got one a few years ago and wasn't that expensive. plus you can shower.

watch out for the cat people

Look into hood river for Airbnbs also, town has a great vibe with lots to do in the evening and is likely cheaper than govy. Also they have a really good skatepark if you’re into that

verynormalguyLook into hood river for Airbnbs also, town has a great vibe with lots to do in the evening and is likely cheaper than govy. Also they have a really good skatepark if you’re into that

So far from the hill tho

Always done to help a homie with a good Hood trip but there are a LOT of threads on this. Little searching on here and you might find a lot of the info you need!

1. Decent time to go but it is cheapest to go in May with spring pass access.
2. There is a 2-3 week park reset after May 31 but by end of June FTC should be up. It's basically double the lift ticket price to access the "pro parks" though.
3. That works, if you want to save $$ there is a lot of camping in the national forest and it's free and super easy in the summer.
4. You CAN take the MAX light rail directly from PDX to sandy where you will hop on a bus that will take you all the way to Govy/Timberline but if you want a bit more freedom to explore get a car.
5. This I'm not sure about but I doubt it as there really is only snow up on the resort/glacier at this time. Granted there is a lot of snow this year but still I think end of June would be pushing it for most sled zones.

verynormalguyLook into hood river for Airbnbs also, town has a great vibe with lots to do in the evening and is likely cheaper than govy. Also they have a really good skatepark if you’re into that

Hood river will not be cheaper during peak summer months that town can be a zoo

DylanIsWavyHello all,

I’ll try and keep this as concise as possible. I’m looking to plan a trip with three friends to Mt. Hood at the end of June and into July OR completely in July (a week or so). Here’s what I’m wondering:


1. Are those good times to go? Has the snow been good this spring? What is it looking like for June and July? Obviously, a draw of Mt. Hood’s is the summer skiing and I don’t want to go if skiing isn’t guaranteed.
2. As a general rule of thumb, if Timberline is open, is the park almost always open?
3. I’m looking to stay in an Airbnb in Government Camp. I assume that’s ideal?
4. I will be renting a car after landing in Portland to get to Government/Hood and around. I also assume that’s ideal, maybe even crucial?
4. Are there snowmobiling tours available during June and July?

Thank you in advance!

**This thread was edited on Apr 21st 2023 at 2:52:24am

**This thread was edited on Apr 21st 2023 at 2:53:09am

**This thread was edited on Apr 21st 2023 at 2:53:42am

1. This is a decent time to go. Snow has been falling pretty good here this year. Typically spring and early summer can be rainy but after the 4th of july you’ll likely hit some nice sunny days. Id say early July is also going to be the busiest time of the summer. On weekdays theres tons of racers up there until 11/12ish and at 10 all the freestyle camps show up. The lift line is going to be insane for about an hour until the racers leave and the freestyle campers settle into the ftc. The ftc lines get pretty bad during the week, saturday is actually the least crowded day because most camps arent there

2. FTC is closed on sundays for the weekly rebuild. The public park is pretty much always open but the snow melts out back to the magic mile (lower chairlift) so it becomes hike only at that point. The trail may or may not be melted out by the start of July. Public park has a halfpipe, probably two jumps, and some rails.

3. Airbnb is luxury living. Camping is the way to go if you want the true hood experience, but I dont blame you if you want to shower and wash your clothes.

4. A car is probably ideal. You could technically take public transit, but a car would be much easier and will allow you to explore more.

4. No

Just be warned lift tickets are expensive during summer. There are ways around the system but Timberline is fairly on top of it. Keep an eye out for people checking tickets on the ftc tows if you find yourself there without a pass. Also June 21st is the solstice party so that’s something to consider

DylanIsWavyHello all,

I’ll try and keep this as concise as possible. I’m looking to plan a trip with three friends to Mt. Hood at the end of June and into July OR completely in July (a week or so). Here’s what I’m wondering:


1. Are those good times to go? Has the snow been good this spring? What is it looking like for June and July? Obviously, a draw of Mt. Hood’s is the summer skiing and I don’t want to go if skiing isn’t guaranteed.
2. As a general rule of thumb, if Timberline is open, is the park almost always open?
3. I’m looking to stay in an Airbnb in Government Camp. I assume that’s ideal?
4. I will be renting a car after landing in Portland to get to Government/Hood and around. I also assume that’s ideal, maybe even crucial?
4. Are there snowmobiling tours available during June and July?

Thank you in advance!

**This thread was edited on Apr 21st 2023 at 2:52:24am

**This thread was edited on Apr 21st 2023 at 2:53:09am

**This thread was edited on Apr 21st 2023 at 2:53:42am

Done a couple May passes at Hood

1) early summer you’ll get to ride the magic mile park which is fun, once snow gets low the park moves up to Palmer, but they usually make a halfpipe which is fun af in the sun. Not really any “bad times” to go.

2) sometimes, Timberline lodge is almost always open but some days the mountain will be closed due to weather. First time my buddies and I pulled up we had just driven in, got to the resort- and found out the mountain was closed due to rain, so we just hungout in the lodge for a bit. Always check their website if the weather is dicey before driving up.


3) if you can afford it then that’s totally cool, I’d recommend doing all your shopping lower down in the valley and not in Govy- as Govy is expensive as hell for what’s there. The Walmart and dispensaries nearby are all way cheaper than Govy general and their dispos.

4) you’d have to check if you can snowmobile, I believe a lot of Mt.Hood is national forest land so be careful where you go, I’d look up some maps to make sure forest service doesn’t come down on you.


hope this helps a bit, jus @ me if you have other questions.

Thank you, all! You’ve all been really, really helpful. I appreciate the game you’ve put me on.

Paul.1. This is a decent time to go. Snow has been falling pretty good here this year. Typically spring and early summer can be rainy but after the 4th of july you’ll likely hit some nice sunny days. Id say early July is also going to be the busiest time of the summer. On weekdays theres tons of racers up there until 11/12ish and at 10 all the freestyle camps show up. The lift line is going to be insane for about an hour until the racers leave and the freestyle campers settle into the ftc. The ftc lines get pretty bad during the week, saturday is actually the least crowded day because most camps arent there

2. FTC is closed on sundays for the weekly rebuild. The public park is pretty much always open but the snow melts out back to the magic mile (lower chairlift) so it becomes hike only at that point. The trail may or may not be melted out by the start of July. Public park has a halfpipe, probably two jumps, and some rails.

3. Airbnb is luxury living. Camping is the way to go if you want the true hood experience, but I dont blame you if you want to shower and wash your clothes.

4. A car is probably ideal. You could technically take public transit, but a car would be much easier and will allow you to explore more.

4. No

Just be warned lift tickets are expensive during summer. There are ways around the system but Timberline is fairly on top of it. Keep an eye out for people checking tickets on the ftc tows if you find yourself there without a pass. Also June 21st is the solstice party so that’s something to consider

Are the public park and FTC two different things? Is an extra/different/special pass needed for both?

DylanIsWavyAre the public park and FTC two different things? Is an extra/different/special pass needed for both?

Yes they're different parks.
FTC is there for about 6 weeks or so , ( the others that have replied earlier will know exactly) It has an additional daily entrance fee.

nmwninjartYes they're different parks.
FTC is there for about 6 weeks or so , ( the others that have replied earlier will know exactly) It has an additional daily entrance fee.

Thank you!