With over 62 feet of snow in spots on the Palmer snowfield, it’s obvious Mt Hood Timberline is having one hell of a ski season. That snowy season means resort officials can take a fresh breath of air, especially when you consider that Timberline was forced to close the Palmer Snowfield early last year. In fact, a dismal winter and warm temperatures almost completely melted the snowfield last summer.
Related:Â Is Summer Skiing On Mt. Hood’s Palmer Snowfield Over For Good?
Why Is Palmer Closed During The Winter?
“We wish it was possible to maintain the Palmer Chair during the winter – but frequent and heavy winter storms coat the lift towers in thick snow and ice. These storms often have wind speeds exceeding 100mph and brutally cold temperatures. These factors make de-icing the lift virtually impossible. In the spring, Palmer Chairlift gets a full maintenance check to prepare it for summer operations” – Timberline Lodge
However, the lift has melted and now Palmer is back in full force and with the longest vertical drop currently offered in the Pacific Northwest!
Timberline Update
Snow Depths
Top Of Palmer- 37′
Deepest Point- 62′
“With the opening of the Palmer chairlift, which can be accessed at the top of the Magic Mile, Timberline Lodge opens up 3,690 vertical feet of terrain from the top of Palmer Glacier to the bottom of Still Creek Basin. This makes spring skiing and snowboarding at Timberline the most exciting in the Northwest (if not the US), a time when both Palmer Chairlift and Jeff Flood Express are running simultaneously.” – Timberline Lodge
As of now, Timberline expects operations to run through the traditional closing date of Labor Day. In the meantime, it looks like the Palmer Snowfield is going to serve up some awesome laps for racers, jibbers, and freeriders alike this summer.
Whatever the case, the snowfield should look a lot better this September compared to last year…
Find more information here: Timberline Lodge