Downhill Skiing

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort. The mountain's largest resort has more than 2,150 skiable acres, 85 runs, five double chairs, six high-speed quads, a top elevation of 9,000 feet, a vertical drop of 2,777 feet, and a longest run of 3 miles. If you're seeking varied, scenic terrain with plenty of trails for all skiing abilities, this is your best choice among the region's ski areas. Facilities include a day lodge, nine restaurants, two lounges, a ski-and-snowboard school, a children's learning center with daycare, and two ski shops with equipment rentals. Hwy. 35, Government Camp, Oregon, 97041. 503/337–2222; www.skihood.com.

Mt. Hood Skibowl. The ski area closest to Portland is also known as "America's largest night ski area," with 34 runs lighted each evening. It has 960 skiable acres serviced by four double chairs and five surface tows, a top elevation of 5,100 feet, a vertical drop of 1,500 feet, and a longest run of 3 miles. You can take advantage of two day lodges, a mid-mountain warming hut, four restaurants, and two lounges. Sleigh rides are conducted, weather permitting, and a hugely popular tubing and adventure park has several tubing hills, plus music, LED lights, and a laser show. In summer the resort morphs into the Adventure Park at Skibowl, with mountain biking, zip lines, bungee jumping, a five-story free-fall Tarzan Swing, disc golf, and kid-friendly tubing and alpine slides. 87000 E. U.S. 26, Government Camp, Oregon, 97028. 503/272–3206; www.skibowl.com.