Cooper Spur

Mount Hood is one of the most recognized peaks in North America and classifies as a potentially active stratovolcano that makes up part of the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon's Cooper Spur Mountain Resort is an alpine ski area on the northern portion of Mount Hood, with facilities geared toward newbies, casuals, and family-oriented fun.

Getting to the ski venue by vehicle is easy, with Interstate 84 stretching along the south banks of the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington states. Motorists can transfer to Oregon State Highway 35 near the town of Hood River. US Route 26 connects with State Highway 35 south of the resort. Portland International Airport is the airfield most skiers and riders will use to fly into the region.

A Friendly Cascade Experience

Mount Hood sits within the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a portion of which is surrounded by non-volcanic peaks in the Cascade Mountain Range. That mountain chain is legendary for large storm dumps and high annual snowfalls, but the area the Cooper Spur Mountain Resorts sits in has a milder winter. Average annual snowfalls here reach only 100 inches, but the snow that does fall tends to stay in place.

Guests can stay at the lodge, cabins, and condos located on the property. Those traveling with pets will find a few rooms that accommodate four-legged family members. The Crooked Tree Tavern & Grill offers a full menu to keep guests filled, with hours that extend into the evening. Two outdoor hot tubs add to the amenities at the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, along with year-round access to old-growth forests and Mount Hood.

Guests staying here are guaranteed access to the Mt. Hood Meadows ski area, which can appeal to more advanced skiers and snowboarders who want more challenging terrain ratings than those found at the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort ski area. On the weekends, the staff is available for hour-long private lessons or two-hour group lessons. Daily rentals for those traveling light are limited compared to other venues in the region, so most ski bums bring their gear.

Inexperience and Fun are Welcome

The Cooper Spur Mountain Resort ski venue has access to trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Over four miles of trails are available for exploration. The Nordic Center collects track fees, and staff can get you equipped for a modest charge.

Local skiers and riders understand the terrain, but travelers are often caught off guard by the limited vertical and trail system that lacks advanced or expert runs, especially on Mount Hood. A base elevation for the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort ski area sits at 4,000 feet. It has a summit height of 4,350 feet, creating the 350-foot vertical that caters to family-friendly fun and newbies learning to ski or snowboard.

The Cooper Spur Mountain Resort ski venue has 50 acres of skiable terrain on the property, with ten trails crossing the slopes. Those runs have ratings of green/beginner (40-percent) and blue/intermediate (60-percent). A double chairlift gets the Cooper Spur guests moving uphill, and a rope tow in the beginner area provides a less-intimidating lift.