Overview

A wide variety of cross-country ski trails, many of which offer snow skating as well, can be found in central Oregon at Mt. Hood’s base and surrounding foothills. Massive winter snowfalls create ideal conditions for some of the longest ski seasons in North America, and some of the higher elevations around Hood remain snow-covered all year.

Where to Enjoy Mt. Hood Crosscountry Skiing

Cooper Spur Trails: Generally clear weather, nice views of Mt. Hood’s north side, and a look at historic Cloud Cap Inn recommend the 14 miles of classic XC trails heading near the Cooper Spur Resort.

Government Camp: Three and a half miles of classic Nordic trails can be accessed from the small town of Government Camp at Hood’s base; several trailheads are walking distance from local lodging.

Mt. Hood Meadows: The ski resort has a commercial Nordic center at its lower base of operations, Hood River Meadows. More than 8 miles of well-groomed, 18-foot-wide trails lie nearby—they’re extra good for skating.

Pioneer Woman’s Grave: A delightful 5.7-mile loop offers skiers a Mt. Hood viewpoint and a visit to a pioneer grave marker set in tribute to all the women who died along the Oregon Trail.

Teacup Lake: These trails, maintained by Oregon Nordic Club volunteers, have a great variety of flats, rolling hills, and challenging descents. Local ski buffs gather nearby in a communal warming trailer. Total trail length is 5.6 miles.

Trillium Lake: The Trillium Lake Basin is Mt. Hood’s best-known cross-country ski location. While most of Trillium’s trails are suitable for novices, all of them begin with a challenging drop from the sno-park. Trillium has 12 miles of trails, the most popular of which are groomed.

Guided Tours & Rentals

Several of the ski resorts and many other outfitters on and near Mt. Hood provide cross-country equipment rentals, and Nordic outings are guided by both professional and volunteer groups—visitors are encouraged to investigate the listings on this page.