Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
Mount Hood Ski Tour
Skin up in the dark, ski corn snow back to the car.
Strenuous
Difficulty
6 mi
Distance
3,400 ft
Elevation
18 h
Drive time
Feb – May
Best season
Trail map
Trail to take
Mount Hood Ski Tour — 6 mi · Strenuous
No coordinates for this one yet — open it on Trailforks by name.
Overview
A backcountry ski weekend on a volcano: avalanche-aware terrain choices, an alpine start, and long corn turns down the south side by mid-morning.
Permits: Sno-Park permit; wilderness self-issue permit at the trailhead.
Where to get your permit
- Oregon Sno-Park permit
Also sold at most ski shops near the mountain.
- Mount Hood National Forest
Fees, lottery dates and quotas change every season — confirm on the agency page before you plan around them.
Where to camp or stay
Popular sites open on a booking window months ahead and sell out fast.
Highlights
Alpine start under headlamps
Sunrise above the cloud deck
Corn turns on the south side
Timberline Lodge afterward
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Arrive + beacon check
Gear sort, avalanche forecast review, short skin to test skins and boots.
Day 2
Summit-day tour
3am start, skin to Palmer, assess conditions, ski down when the snow softens.
Day 3
Mellow lap
Low-angle tree skiing, then drive out.
Packing list
Checked against your gear closet — 3 items to sort out.
- Beacon, shovel, probe
- Skins + ski crampons
- Ice axe
- Helmet + goggles
- Hardshell + puffy
- Thermos
Add gear for this trip
Suggestions shift with the trip length, activities and the forecast above.
2 L
Per person, per day
2 L
Heaviest carry
4.4 lb
Water weight (2.2 lb/L)
4.4 lb
Gear 0.0 lb + water
- Sources unconfirmed — this assumes one mid-day refill. Check conditions before you go.
Food plan
- Breakfast: oatmeal + espresso at 3am
- On-the-move: bars, chews, salted nuts
- Dinner: big pasta night
Weather & conditions
Trail conditions
We don't have a trailhead pinned for this route yet.
Nearby camping
Gear recommendations
Know before you go. Routes, distances, elevation and conditions shown here are estimates and may be inaccurate or out of date. Trail conditions change, and closures happen. Check with the managing land agency, carry a topographic map and compass or GPS, tell someone your plans, and know your limits — you're responsible for your own safety in the outdoors.