Trail profiles: Hoodoo Ski Bowl

Most of the trails at Ski Bowl are wide open, but the area claims to have Oregon's most difficult snowriding in its upper bowls. This may well be true, as 37 of the 65 runs are designated black diamond runs. The Upper Bowl chair provides access to Ski Bowl Peak (5,026 feet) and Tom Dick Peak (5,056 feet). To the west on Tom Dick, the West Wall marks the area boundary and offers 850 feet of outstanding tree skiing down steep lines. More often than not snowriders are able to find fresh tracks in this area all day long. On the opposite side of the area, on Ski Bowl Peak, Cannonball serves up more steep terrain with several big rollers perfect for launching down the mountain. The most popular advanced terrain, however, lies in the Outback, with its steep lines, tight chutes, and open glades. A quick boot up Treviso's Traverse transports skiers and snowboarders to the top of Tom Dick and opens up 300 acres of radical snowriding.

Nearly all of the 14 intermediate runs are located on the east side of the ski area. Two of the most popular are Mount Hood Lane and Fire Hydrant. Mt. Hood Lane is accessible from the Multorpor chair and provides rolling terrain with a few challenging pitches. It serves double duty as the location for high school racing and other events. Fire Hydrant is accessible from the Lower Bowl chair, which means it lies far below the treeline. Its position offers natural shelter from the harsher weather. Snow conditions on Fire Hydrant tend to be consistent over the undulating terrain.

While the Ski Bowl terrain is primarily for advanced skiers and boarders, beginners can explore 3.5 miles of turns from the top of Ski Bowl Peak. The Sky Line trail explores the edge of the area boundary on Ski Bowl Peak, providing stunning views of Mount Hood and the gently groomed terrain. Novice snowriders will find more terrain on Multorpor Mountain (4,656 feet). Easy Street and Roundhouse, both accessible from the Cascade chair, explore the area's smallest peak on terrain that is groomed daily. From the Multorpor chair beginners can try Skidaddle, which offers more friendly runs on finely groomed slopes.

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