Eastern Oregon — Spout Springs Ski Area has had a strange history.
Situated in Northeastern Oregon, Spout Springs operated from the late 1940s to 2016. The ski area features 13 trails, two chairlifts, lights for night skiing on a select number of pistes, and a vertical drop of 530 feet. There’s also an extensive Nordic ski trail network.
The closure was due to various factors: the owner’s declining health, a lack of snowfall at times, and a dispute with the Forest Service over whether snowmobilers can use the parking lot. Since then, not much has changed, and it’s still a great spot for hikers, snowmobilers, Nordic skiers, and backcountry skiers.
Ryan Creek Adventures toured the remains back in the fall of 2024, and they were still in surprisingly decent shape. The slopes need some clearing out, but they don’t look too shabby.
However, Spout Springs may be revived. Columbia Basin News reported in December 2025 that Umatilla County is attempting to sell a ski area lease to a new operator. They came to an agreement with the US Forest Service on this setup. The US Forest Service has previously tried to find a new operator, but has been unsuccessful in its pursuits.
The request for proposal was issued by the county on April 16th, with the deadline to submit being May 20th. They hope to reward a new contract on June 3rd. Click here to learn more.
Image/Video Credits: Ryan Creek Adventures, Skimap.org
