Simply^Ride

Ok so today at work I was bored and pissed off, so I decided I deserve better in life. I have decided to fly into Oregon on the may 5, and fly out on the 8. I get 3 full days and on half day(good fly schedule). I need help with finding the most economical trip ever, I am renting a car at the airport and driving to the resorts. Where should I ride? where should I stay? and I know ill be eating fast food in all day long. The one thing I wont be cheap is in lift tickets. The reason I chose Oregon is because of the summer riding they offer. Is it a safe bet for those days that I will find snow? and what resorts do you think are going to be open?

I like riding many resorts in a single trip, I get bored fast. But I don't want to be driving a lot since it is a short trip. I am bringing my friend with me as long as he can get off from work, most probably he will. So basically i need a cheap place to stay under 50 a day.

Any input is greatly appreciated, another person with info please go ahead.

Is there anything to do in Portland the first day I do not want to ride.

Thanks for your help, I truly appreciate it.

Snowolf

Okay, May 5`th through the 8`th is midweek so your only option will be Timberline lodge. Mt Hood Meadows will be doing the May challenge but that is only on sat and sun through May untill people quit coming or the snow goes away. Skibowl will be done by then as well. In May, the way things look with our snow the entire area of Timberline may be operating. If not, the Magic mile and Palmer will in fantastic shape. This year Timberline has recived 651 inches since Spet 1`st 2007 and we expect even more to fall this month and into April. I was at Tline today and tonight and had 20 inches of fresh pow. The snow is halfway up the windows on the third floor of the lodge (about 25 feet deep). There will be plenty of snow for them to have a decent terrain park with a 15 foot super pipe as well as plenty of open area for free ride. That time of year, ample backcountry will also be available, weather permiting.

As for cheap lodging, the cheapest will be in Portland and as you get closer to the mountain it will become more expensive. Sandy, Oregon is the best compromise between price and proximity to the hill. Night life is non existent in Sandy so Portland would be much better. Another option is to saty in Hood River, Oregon which is at exit 64 on Interstate 84 and from there it is only about 35 miles to Timberline. From Portland, it is about 50. As for things to do on a day of non riding, there is no end of possibilities in and around Portland. What are you into? If you narrow it down a little, I can give you leads.

As a side note, I have wed, thur and fri off and I can give you a lift to Timberline on at least Thursday and Friday.

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thebutress

when the wife and i headed to oregon, we stayed the first couple nights at cooper spur resort. While I can't really say that i would recommend the place to anyone. The only reason i would tell you to talk to them is that they allow you to make an offer on rooms during the week. i guess you could lowball them and see if they want to get a room filled up. like i said, i didn't think the cabin we stayed in was nice at all, and the people were not really accomodating or all that friendly, but u can over look a few things if can get a steal on the rate.

we learned quick not to eat at t-line or mt. hd meadows. we ran to hood river and just brought some sammichs, etc. with us. better for you and cheaper. i guess we were just too old to wanna spend the afternoon feeling like hell after a nasty plate of chili cheese fries.

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fear the llama. find my pants. hump.

Simply^Ride

Thanks for the info I truly appreciate it. Let me ask you a question, how is it that timberline manages to stay open till this time and every other resort in america is pretty much done by then, what do they special. Another thing what are the conditions I should see at this time, I never rode later than mid march.

As far as other activities, I am not sure. I would love to try new things But I am not sure what is available, I have a pretty active life style.

I forgot how much of a drive is there from sandy to the resort?

It should be pretty warm by then right? like one layer of clothing is enough.

P.S. Does anyone know anything about Mammoth, I have not bought my airline tickets yet, so my options are open. Although I am tending towards Oregon, I believe they may have better snow.

Snowolf

The reason that Timberline operates all summer long is due to the Palmer Glacier. It is really more of a permannet snow field or crevasse-less glacier. by late July, there is no snow left at lodge level (although this year there may be) and you carry your board in hand and ride up the magic mile lift to the base of Palmer, then strap in like normal and get on the Palmer chair which takes you to the top of Palmer. It is about a mile long and about that in width in places. The entire thing averages about 30 degree pitch and they build race lanes which are closed to the public untill around 11:00 AM then the entire thing is fair game. They always build a decent series of terrain parks on the glacier as well. This is in addition to the area set aside for the camps. In May, you will have Palmer and all of Magic Mile available and possibly some of the lower runs if the snow stays good and they decide to run the chairs.

Weather will likely be warm and sunny, but it is Oregon and at the elevation you can have a white out blizzard even in July. In fact, every month of the year, they get at least a trace of snow. Plan on riding warm but make sure you bring gear to deal with winter like conditions. Also, if you have 2 sets of goggles; one for bright glaring sun and one for low light/night, bring both because the fog can reduce your vis and can happen anytime depending on regional weather patterns.

Sandy is 30 miles from Government Camp and the Tline road is about 7 miles up to the top. Road conditions should never be in question by this time of year, so a plain jane economy 2wd rental car is more than adequate that time of year.

In Portland, there is everything from an abundance of night clubs that favor everything from Punk to to country /western Great theatres, there is the OMSI/Imax, great parks, skate parks and trails. Clackamas Town Center has a huge mall with dining, shopping and movie theatres. For outdoor recreation, Mt. St Helens National Monument is about an hour up I-5, Multnomah Falls is just up I-84 at exit 30. It has amazing hiking trails and breathe taking waterfalls. The entire Columbia Gorge is a a great scenic drive. You could take a day and Drive up I-84 past Multnomah Falls to Hood River, cross over to the Washington side of the Columbia, and drive the 20 miles to Trout Lake at the base of Mt. Adams then come back to Portland vie WA SR 14 along the Columbia river on the Washington side. On that route there is Beacon Rock State Park with awesome hiking trails to amazing viewpoints.

Hell, if you want to help me out with gas, I can drive you around this loop and we can hike a few of the better trails..just let me know.

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Simply^Ride

So last night I purchased the tickets last night, they were actually cheaper. I am thinking in getting a hotel like in Welches, since the ones in sandy are about as much. I am looking at about 100 a night. To be honest I do not feel like driving from Portland to the slopes every day and for this trip I can live without night live, I have plenty of that in Ft. Lauderdale. The resort at the mountain in Welches has a good deal, I think i am going to go for it. I probably will take you offer to drive us around, but not sure on what day, We do want to get 3 days of riding. Men hotels are a bit expensive there. Thanks for your help, again, I will let you know of any updates.


When do they dig out the Palmer lift?
So in all this shour be a good time to visit, considering no road closings and some good terrain open for riding right.

I reserved the hotel already, is in Welches. Not a bad deal.

fainerbainer

Hey snowolf. . .a Is the hostel in Gov. Camp still open in the summer? It's only 20 a night there. You have to have all your crap out beings they lock it from morning till afternoon. But if you have enough room in the rental car that might be an option. You can book online too if you haven't already got arrangements. Or just cancel them. Here's some info about the hostel. Go to Mt. Hood Hostel

FREE STUFF!

* Wireless Internet for your laptop computer
* Lockers
* Showers
* Use of kitchen and refrigerator
* Shuttle to Skibowl West and downtown Government Camp

RATES – All Nightly
$20 1 Night (does not include tax)
$5 Blanket and Top Sheet (or bring your own!)
$3 Towel
$2 Lock

Snowolf

That is new. The Collins Lake Resort properties are huge and they have a lot going on. I would call the 800 number and ask. It is a great deal and hopefully they offer this in the summer as well.

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con3593

Go to big mountain montana if you don't mind a big ass hike and being chased by bears

pyrielmarquis

jeez and there i was back in 98-02 wasting so much time just puttzing around in brookings cruizing harris beach and scraping gas money to go to the mall in medford i just wanna slap myself in the face