Winter Wonderland: Snow Play at Mount Hood
The time for singing about “walkin’ in a winter wonderland” may be past (or months in the future), but for snow lovers, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy Mount Hood’s snowy playground less than two hours away from Clark County. Here are a few of our favorite family- and budget-friendly snow play spots on the west and south sides of the mountain, plus important safety tips from Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Mirror Lake (Snowshoeing)
No matter what time of year you visit Mirror Lake, you’ll need to arrive early to snag a parking spot. The trailhead, located just next to Skibowl West, is woefully inadequate for the number of visitors who frequent the trail all year long. In the winter, the trail is fantastic for snowshoeing, weaving through the forest with only the trees and Camp Creek as the boundaries as you walk atop the snowpack. The trail is just four miles roundtrip, but if it’s your first time snowshoeing, be aware that it’s much more energy-consuming than walking. The view of the mountain from the lake is beautiful any time of year!
White River West Sno-Park (Tubing/Sledding)
White River West Sno-Park boasts epic sledding hills, but you’ll need to walk .5-.75 miles to get to the most dramatic ones. Smaller hills are close-in to the huge parking lot which rewards you right away with a spectacular, unobstructed view of the mountain. The view gets even better as you hike or snowshoe along White River to check out the slopes. Vault toilets are on-site.
A Walk Through Government Camp
Fondly nicknamed “Govy” in the Mount Hood community, the alpine village of Government Camp is a quaint collection of mostly restaurants and lodges, with a few shops and a Visitor Center open Wednesday-Sunday, 9 am-3 pm. Govy General Store is the place to go for souvenirs, snacks and supplies.
Snow Bunny
The best sledding for smaller kiddos is definitely at Snow Bunny Sno-Park. The parking lot is immediately next to the hill, which slopes gently, making for safe sledding for little ones of all ages.
Timberline Summit Pass
Formerly known as Summit Ski Area, and now owned by Timberline (which is six miles up the mountain from Summit), lift tickets here are much more affordable than the larger ski areas higher up the mountain, and the gentle slopes are perfect for beginners. Skis, snowboards and snow tubes are all welcome. Tickets: $27 for all ages, all day tubing. Equipment rental available for an extra fee. Also on site in the Summit Pass parking lot are public restrooms and garbage facilities. More information here.
Timberline Lodge
A nationally significant historic landmark, and a pop culture icon, Timberline Lodge is a gem not to be missed on a trip to Mount Hood, whether you plan to ski there or not. Sunsets at Timberline are a particularly gorgeous way to end your day on the mountain. Go here to read more about Timberline Lodge.
All of the locations above require a Sno-Park permit to park on premises during the months of November-April ($25 for annual, $9 for 3-day, and $4 for 1-day). Permits are available online at oregon.gov/odot or at various shops and businesses in the Mount Hood region. Go here for a full list of Mount Hood Sno-Parks.
Snow Play Safety Tips from Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission:
Make a Plan B and C in case your Sno-Park of choice is crowded or inaccessible.
Gear up:
Snow play is more fun–and safer–when you’re able to stay warm. That means having the right clothing for the weather:
- No cotton!
- Silk, wool or synthetic base layer.
- Wool or synthetic mid-layer
- Soft-shell pants
- Hard shell pants
- Soft-shell jacket
- Hard shell rain/wind jacket
- Puffy jacket (down or synthetic)
- 2 pairs of gloves + glove liners and hand warmers
- Wool or warm synthetic socks and a spare pair.
- Warm, waterproof boots, gaiters and foot warmers
- Warm hat
- Thermos of hot cocoa, tea, cider or water
- A change of clothes for the drive home!
Give your vehicle some love:
You’re counting on your ride to safely get you – and maybe your family – around in some gnarly weather. Make sure it feels the love and appreciation!
Tire chains: The passes and mountain roads have closed multiple times and for full days this season due to preventable spinouts. Tire chains can be a lifesaver – for you and your car! Plus, they are often required by law on certain roads.
Buy proper tire chains, know how to use them and get comfortable driving in snow.
Don’t be that guy or gal who inadvertently closes I-90, totals your car and God forbid gets injured because you didn’t have tire chains!
Emergency kits: If you get stuck out in winter conditions, you may need your car to double as an emergency shelter. Make sure you have everything you need to stay warm and dry:
- Sleeping bag or warm quilt.
- Extra warm clothing, including hat, gloves and boots.
- Hand warmers and foot warmers.
- Water and food.
- Phone fully charged and portable charger (also fully charged).
- If you’ll be driving somewhere outside of cell range, we recommend a second, satellite-based communication device (In-Reach, satellite phone, Spot, etc…)
- Headlamp or flashlight. Extra batteries.
- Shovel, kitty litter (to potentially get the car unstuck). Ice scraper.
- Full tank of gas
- Jumper cables
- Hazard triangles or LED flashers
- First aid kit
- Games and puzzles (that don’t rely on electricity or portable power).
Winterize your ride: Aside from tire chains, winter drivers can install snow tires and winter windshield wipers. They can maintain tire pressure, keep washer fluid full, make sure car batteries are charged and defrosters work.
Live to play another day:
If it’s really nasty out, please consider staying in. Maybe Mother Nature is handing you some forced rest and relaxation.
The Washington Recreate Responsibly Coalition has distilled many of these tips into a handy guide for newbies looking to play in the snow: www.recreateresponsibly.org/washington
