Cooper Spur Mountain Resort

Cooper Spur Mountain Resort sits on the north side of Mount Hood in the Hood River Ranger District of the Mount Hood National Forest, at about 4,350 feet. It is the smallest and most relaxed of the mountain's ski areas, and its position makes it the nearest to Hood River: from town you follow Highway 35 about 23 miles, turn west onto Cooper Spur Road and drive roughly 3.5 miles to the resort. The area is run by Mt. Hood Meadows under a special use permit from the Forest Service. Winter activities include alpine skiing and snowboarding on ten trails served by a two-person chairlift and a beginner rope tow, lift-served tubing at two venues, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with a groomed Nordic trail. Uphill travel by skinning or snowshoeing is also possible, and visitors should check with Ski Patrol for the preferred routes. The character here is small-scale and family oriented. Lines are short, the slopes are gentle enough for beginners and children, and the atmosphere is closer to a local hill than a destination resort. That makes it a good first ski day, a calm alternative on a crowded holiday weekend, or a simple tubing afternoon for families who do not want to commit to a full ski trip. Operations depend heavily on snowpack, so the season can be short and variable, and it is wise to check the current status before you drive.

A Sno-Park permit is required to park in the winter season, from November 1 through April 30, and you should buy it before you arrive. Facilities are basic, with restrooms but no drinking water at the Forest Service site, so bring water. Trailer parking is available. Check the resort's page for hours, ticket prices and rentals, since a small area may not offer every service every day.

The north side of Mount Hood is quieter in every season. In summer the Cooper Spur area serves as a gateway for hikers heading toward the mountain's high trails, and the road also provides access to the historic lodge area associated with the old Cloud Cap Inn story.

Mountain biking and road cycling are among the recreation opportunities in the area, though conditions vary, so confirm access and trail status before you plan a ride. Because the elevation is above 4,000 feet, summer weather can be cool, and snow can linger on higher trails well into July and sometimes August.

Pair a visit with other north-side stops. Tamanawas Falls is along the same corridor of Highway 35, and the Fruit Loop is on the way back to town, which makes a satisfying loop: mountain in the morning, orchards and a brewery in the afternoon. In winter, combine tubing with a hot meal in Hood River. Families with mixed ability levels can split between skiing and tubing without losing each other for long.

Drive carefully. Highway 35 is a mountain road, and in winter it requires traction devices on many days. Carry chains, a shovel, warm clothing and snacks, check road conditions before you leave and give yourself extra time. Cell coverage is patchy in places. If conditions look poor, switch your plan to the Fruit Loop or the waterfront and try again another day. The beauty of staying in Hood River is that the mountain, the gorge and the orchards are all within an hour, so a changed plan rarely means a wasted day.