Sep
1
Timberline Lodge is still Shining
Filed Under Hotels / Resorts, USA - Oregon | Comments Off
In the famous movie, The Shining, the high country lodge that Jack Nicholson watched over one winter seemed hours from civilization, but in reality the beautiful resort exteriors shown in the movie was the Timberline Lodge and Ski Area located about an hour’s drive outside of Portland Oregon.
Built during the depression using local wood and stone from the surrounding mountains this is more museum than a 70 room alpine lodge. It is one of the many historic lodges located in National Forests, this one is part of the Mt. Hood National Forest Ski Area.
But if you cut through the resorts long history and the more current pop culture movie references you will find a great skiing opportunity. Not only is the skiing great in the winter, The Mount Hood Ski Area was recently ranked by www.OnTheSnow.com as the 4th most popular summer ski resort, with 305 days of skiing last year. Check out this newspaper article from June 22nd.
The ski area located adjacent to the lodge has recently added 220 acres of ski, cross-country and snowshoe trails. For the most part the Mt. Hood ski area is considered an intermediate with mostly blue and green runs.
Skiing Mount Hood can be a year around affair. It’s upper most ski zone, Palmer Snowfield, is at 8,500 feet. Rental gear is available, as are lessons.
At the lodge the majority of the rooms are configured as they were when the lodge was constructed. Most of the recently renovated bathrooms offer only showers, some rooms use shared bathrooms. Several deluxe rooms offer original furniture, fireplaces, and spectacular views of the Mt. Hood valley.
The public areas show off the museum aspects of this little known ski destination. The ponderosa pine entrance doors weigh in at almost a ton. The wooden furniture is covered with handwoven fabrics matching the originals. Every three years the goat skin lamp shades are replaced.
In the lobby many fixtures continue the “hexagon” motif found in the larger six sided lobby structure. The original craftsmen constructed 820 pieces of furniture, many are still in use today.
The Mount Jefferson Room is often reserved for private functions, but otherwise open to the pubic. It offers spectacular views of Mt. Jefferson.
Timberline Lodge also offers an outdoor heated pool and hot tub. Both open year-round till 11pm. No spa, and the gym is weak.
Three eateries are available in the lodge, and two more across the street. The lodge offers a high-end restaurant and two pubs serving a variety of excellent food.
Make sure you grab a burger at Charlie’s Mountain View Restaurant and Bar.
Visit the Timberline Lodge website. All images are copyright Timberline Lodge and Ski Area. Additional photos of the Lodge.
