Mt Hood Ski Areas are Open

Most ski areas in the western states are still not open due to lack of snow, not the case at Mt Hood. Mt Hood Meadows, Timberline & SkiBowl are up and running this weekend. If you are planning a winter snowplay vacation, contact us about staying in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental. We have some good availability now through December 21st, so you can ski, ride, cross-country ski, snowshoe, sled or build snowmen before the holiday crowds arrive.

Today's Snow Conditions:

Mt Hood Meadows, 22°, 11" new snow in the last 24 hours, 42" base, currently snowing, 6 lifts running, no night skiing

Timberline, 17°, 11" new snow in the last 24 hours, 39" base, currently snowing, 4 lifts running, no night skiing

Mt Hood SkiBowl, 24°, 10" new snow in the last 24 hours, 35" base, currently snowing, 4 lifts running, night skiing only

6-12 inches of new snow is expected in the next 24 hours!!

Tell us about your Mt Hood snow adventures and send us photos, too. If they are really good, we'll post them!!

Christmas & New Year's Eve Reservations are Sold Out

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals are booked solid from December 22 - January 2nd. However, there are some great opportunities to stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental now through the 22nd or in January & February. It has been snowing on & off for several days now with about 2 feet of new snow and another foot or more expected in the next few days.

Paul & Jan Marc are at Meadows today, making turns, so we will give you an update of their adventures later on today.

We have good availability this weekend including Cedarwood Lodge in Government Camp for larger groups or Henry Creek Cabin in Rhododendron for smaller families or couples.

And we now have discounted lift tickets available for Timberline and Mt Hood Meadows for all of our guests. You save $15-20 per person per day on lift tickets. Not bad.

Plenty of New Snow Forecast for Mt Hood this week

Timberline and Meadows opened this weekend with the minimum amount of snow needed. However, good news is on the way. It is expected to snow all week down to 2000-3000 feet, staying cold with highs in the 30's in Welches and the 20's at the ski areas. It looks like next weekend will be ready to go with plenty of snow at the higher elevations.

Northwest Wines to Compliment your Turkey

Andrea's Wine Gallery opened in Welches this month. The shop shares space with Spot on the Mountain in the Rendezvous Center. If you are looking for a great Northwest or California wine to compliment your Thanksgiving Dinner, this is the shop to visit. Andrea and her staff are wine enthusiasts and would love to share their ideas with you. There are also lots of really great gift items, like wine glass candles, wine openers of all types, serving platters, artwork and more.

Do you have a favorite wine you like to pair with holiday meals? Leave a post and let us know which wines you enjoy for special occassions.

Thanksgiving Vacation Rentals

We have one vacation rental open for this coming weekend, so if you want to get up to the mountain and enjoy the sun & snow, just contact us. Whispering Woods is a centrally located, so you are close to everything you want to do at Mt Hood. And it is comfortable inside if you just want to hang out with a good book or watch movies or play games.

Wax those Skis & Snowboards

It is sunny, clear and cold up on the hill today. Timberline is reporting 24 degrees at 10AM with 23 inches of snow. T-line is running Bruno & Palmer chairlifts until 3PM today. Mt Hood Meadows is reporting 27 degrees with 26 inches of snow; no mention of when lifts will open, but we are expecting something to happen this weekend.

This weekend is a good time to get your equipment ready for the slopes. All of the ski & snowboard shops will be open on the mountain this weekend and they are ready to tune up your boards. So head up to Mt Hood, bring your gear, drop it off, go play, pick it up at the end of the day. You might find a cool hat, coat or other item as well.

Zig Zag River Chalet

Zig Zag River Chalet is one of my favorite vacation rentals; we even had my 40th birthday party here!! There is a living room & family room + a huge kitchen, so it is perfect for entertaining. In the summer, the deck by the river is very cool...

Wy'East Log Lodge

Wy'East Log Lodge is the coolest house in the most awesome location. 3+ miles up Lolo Pass Rd, it is more secluded than most and has 2 acres of lawn on Clear Creek. Dogs love this place as do their people with the huge great room, gourmet kitchen & big screen TV. We had our company Christmas Party here last year & it was the best layout. Oh yeah, and you have a view of Mt Hood!!

Woodland Lodge

Woodland Lodge is our top vacation rental. It rests on 5 private acres with 170 feet of Salmon River frontage. The great room and living space are on the upper level taking advantage of the forest & river views outside the many windows. Massive beams and custom architectural features accent every space here. You cannot help but relax in this home. This home created a rustic elegance for our Christmas Party a couple of years ago.

Wildwood Cabin

Wildwood Cabin is the classic Mt Hood winter getaway. Everyone loves the rustic charm in this cabin. Just off the main drag in Govy, but still accessible and super close to ski areas and snow play areas. Everyone asks for this cabin for the ski or snowboard vacation.

Whispering Woods 400

Whispering Woods is my favorite rental for small families who want to keep their vacation within a budget. Everything you want is here, full kitchen, views, phone with unlimited long distance, woodstove in the living room, year-round heated outdoor pool + hot tub and you can walk to dinner. It's an easy drive to other stores, restaurants and activities, too. And this home is still available for Christmas & New Year's Eve.

Two Rivers Cottage

Two Rivers Cottage is a very romantic vacation home for couples. (There is a 2nd bedroom with 2 twins for kids for small families, too.) It is the last home at the end of a road. The cottage is very private and sits right in front of the confluence of the Salmon & Sandy Rivers. The fireplace is huge making the living room a great place to snuggle.

ShadowHawk #5

ShadowHawk is our top pick for a couples getaway when you don't want to spend a lot of money. This condo is on the Salmon River and close to golf, restaurants & other activities. When you stay here, your keep some of your money for all the fun stuff you want to do while visiting Mt Hood. We can still get you in for Christmas & New Year's Eve, too. I've enjoyed family dinners here and the kitchen is well-supplied for any meal you might want to prepare.

Salmon River Retreat

Salmon River Retreat is the most comfortable of our rental homes. Cec hosted a family reunion here and immediately wanted to buy the house. Several of our guests have asked if it was for sale after staying here, too. We think it is so loved because of the close location to the river and the warm inviting decor inside. The open great room with river views is ideal for family gatherings.

Riverwood Hideaway

Riverwood Hideaway is our most popular small cabin for couples (DNKWADS-Double Income, No Kids, With a Dog). With one bedroom, it only sleeps 2 people. The spacious, private yard and Sandy River frontage are a favorite for dogs. And the cute round (modern, but old-fashioned looking) hot tub is very relaxing.

River View Cabin

Riverview Cabin has been the setting for many romantic proposals, honeymoons and anniversaries. The private hot tub looks out over the Sandy River valley and the mountains beyond. This light & bright cabin with a million dollar view is just super comfortable.

River Rock Lodge

River Rock Lodge was named for its 2 massive river rock fireplaces, not to mention its location on the Zig Zag River. The main fireplace is in the vaulted great room with floor to ceiling picture windows, big kitchen and the most unique dining table you'll ever see. The 2nd fireplace is in the media room; a perfect place for the kids to hang out and watch their favorite movies while the adults enjoy cocktail hour in the great room.

River Dance Retreat

River Dance Retreat is our top home for families with dogs. There are 4 sleeping areas and 2 living areas, so there is plenty of room for the adults and the kids. The large country kitchen is ideal for a crowd. The dogs will love the big meadow and sandy beach along their way to the Sandy River.

Rapid River Retreat

Rapid River Retreat has the best kitchen of all of our rentals. The owner loves to cook and it shows. The kitchen even includes a 2nd workspace with wet bar. We've had company gatherings here and my in-laws stayed here when we got married, so I have cooked in my favorite kitchen a few times. The dining table is next to floor to ceiling windows bringing in tons of afternoon sunshine. They also display awesome river views.

Pine River Cabin

Pine River Cabin is the classic cozy cabin with burnished knotty pine throughout. There are lots of custom touches including the custom built kitchen cabinets and furniture incorporating the pine cone theme. There are walking trails along the Sandy River for you & your dog. And a private outdoor hot tub for relaxing in after a day of fun.

Moondance Cabin

Moondance Cabin is a good choice for 2 couples or small families. There are 2 bedrooms, each with a queen bed and 2 bathrooms + a sofa bed in front of the fireplace in the living room. The Clear Creek setting is soothing, summer and winter. And the private outdoor hot tub is a great place to relax after a day of fun.

Island Park Retreat

Island Park Retreat is located in the most spectacular park-like setting on the Salmon River in the entire Mt Hood area. You are on an island with the Salmon River flowing by on 2 sides affording river views from almost every room. The great room has lots of river-viewing windows and a rock-burning fireplace. The master suite includes a river-viewing soaking tub and walk-in shower. This is the home you want to stay in for a "gourmet" visit.

Huckleberry Wilderness Lodge

Huckleberry Wilderness Lodge is the vintage lodge in the woods that you've seen in the movies. There is lots of room in this historic Mt Hood getaway for families and friends gathering. In the summer the meadow and firepit by the river are reminiscent of summer camp. In the winter, the massive river rock fireplace keeps you warm & cozy.

Henry Creek Cabin

Henry Creek Cabin is my 1st choice in cabins if you and your dog like to hike or bike. At the end of the driveway, you can start a gentle 4 mile (round trip) walk on the historic Barlow Route. If you like to get a more aerobic workout, head up Castle Canyon Trail or Zig Zag Mountain Trail, both within 1/2 mile of the cabin. After a long hike, soak your toes in the outdoor hot tub.

Glacier River Retreat

Glacier River Retreat is one of my top 3 favorite vacation rentals. My husband & I like this house so much, we got married here. We have also had a fun company Christmas Party here & one of our employees celebrated his 50th birthday here. The views are awesome and the back deck and grounds just invite you to barbecue a steak, sip a nice glass of Oregon wine & watch the river flow by.

Edelweiss #12

Edelweiss #12 is the home I like to recommend for family vacations. It fits a family budget and is in the heart of Government Camp, so you are very close to all restaurants, shops and snow play & ski and snowboard areas. There are 3 bedrooms with queen beds, plus to sets of bunks in the upstairs family room, so there is plenty of room for everyone. If there is a really big group, the Edelweiss #5 can be rented, too.

Edelweiss #5

Edelweiss #5 is a vacation home that I like for families. Being in the heart of Government Camp, older kids can head out on foot to Mt Hood SkiBowl or snow play areas. Or if you all want to hit the slopes, it is just a short drive away. There are 3 bedrooms with queen beds for the adults, plus 3 sets of bunks for the kids. For larger family & friend gatherings, you can rent Edelweiss #12, too.

Deer Run Retreat

Deer Run Retreat is a comfortable home that I like to recommend to guests who are going to be out adventuring during their visit to Mt Hood. At the end of the day, this home provides a no-frills base camp to get rejuvenated for the next day's agenda of fun. This home has lots of amenities including a complete kitchen, big deck with great views and plenty of room to spread out. If you are too tired to cook, you are only about a mile from several great restaurants.

Deer Island Chalet

Deer Island Chalet is our most popular home for families. The cabin sits on 4 acres of a 16-acre island on the Salmon River. In the winter, you can hear and see the west fork of the river. The kids will love the Rainbow play structure with swings, forts, slides and even a climbing wall. There are tons of grassy areas to play in, too. Mom & Dad will like the "Cadillac" of hot tubs that even has a waterfall.

Cedarwood Lodge

Cedarwood Lodge is our most popular cabin for skiers and snowboarders. It is a 3-level log home with 5 bedrooms + a loft, so there is plenty of room for a crowd. The spacious living room has the most comfy sectional sofa plus extra chairs for everyone to hang out and watch movies or play games. There is also a smaller game room downstairs for the kids. And the dining table is big enough for everyone to enjoy a meal together.

Bear Den Log Cabin

Bear Den Log Cabin is our favorite classic mountain cabin for couples and small families who don't need a hot tub. The hand-hewn massive logs create all the ambiance you could want in this cozy cabin. The spacious kitchen has plenty of room for everyone to prepare a meal and the back deck is very relaxing with Billy Creek flowing right by. You can walk to the Salmon River in 5 minutes.

Autumn Woods

Autumn Woods is a cozy cabin full of wood and warmth that is perfect for 4 couples on vacation. If you love to ski, snowboard, hike or bike, this home is ideal because you are close to all recreation and you have a super nice place to come home to at the end of the day. Prepare a feast for the hungry adventurers, or soak in the outdoor hot tub or play a rousing game of poker in the river-viewing loft.

Alpenglow Cabin

Alpenglow Cabin is the vacation rental I like best for cross country skiers and snowshoers. You walk less than 5 minutes from the front door and you are on the Glade Trail. From there you can head up (I mean up) 3 miles to the lower runs of Timberline or you can access the Crosstown Trail, Wally's Tie Trail, Skyway Trail, Enid Lake and Glacier Lookout, Alpine Trail and many more. After a day in the snow, you can relax in the private enclosed hot tub.

14 Inches of New Snow in the Past 24 Hours!!

Mt Hood Meadows & Timberline are reporting over a foot of new snow since yesterday morning. The National Weather Service is expecting another foot of fresh snow to fall in the next 24 hours. It was 24 degrees at Meadows at 10AM & 22 at Timberline and these low temps are expected to stick around, so get ready for some deep pow. Wednesday & Thursday should be sunny & cold creating some fantastic early season ski & board conditions.

I keep links to websites with current conditions at the ski areas on my desktop, so we can check what the weather is doing on the hill 24/7.

Mt Hood Meadows Current Conditions

Timberline Current Conditions

Top of Mile Current Conditions

Gov't Camp Current Conditions

If you head out into it today, send us your comments. We would like to know how it was. If you have a good photo, it might even be posted, too.

It is Snowing at Mt Hood!!!

It has been snowing at Mt Hood all day. Timberline has received 6 inches of new snow and Mt Hood Meadows has 7 inches of new snow on the ground. The snow level will go down to 2000-2500 feet tonight with 6-8 inches of new snow. Tomorrow 3-6 inches more snow is expected to fall. Timberline Lifts will be open for Thanksgiving. If the snow continues, Mt Hood Meadows will also be open for Thanksgiving Weekend.

Cascade Property Management will have discounted lift tickets available to all of our guests for Mt Hood SkiBowl, Timberline and Mt Hood Meadows.

Welcome to Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

Welcome to the blog of Mt Hood Vacation Rentals. We hope to keep you updated on all that is happening around Mt Hood. We will keep specials posted here as well as news of interest to our guests.

Another feature will be the ability to post your comments about the Mt Hood Vacation Rental Home you have stayed in.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.