7. Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon
Few mountain hotels enjoy such a pristine alpine setting. To reach Timberline Lodge, you drive through miles of dense forests of Douglas fir and Lodgepole pine. Less than an hour from Portland, the classic alpine ski lodge is perched above treeline, halfway up the southern slope of 11,249-foot Mt. Hood. This National Historic Landmark has the longest ski season of any slope in the country and one of the best summer ski/ride programs in the world. Timberline Lodge is uniquely positioned high up the mountain and is Oregon's only ski-in/ski-out slope-side lodging.

Walking in to Timberline Lodge is like stepping into the gentler, slower-paced era of the 1930s and 40s. The rustic wood-beamed lodge clings to Mt. Hood's rocky slopes. In the winter, the snow can pile up 20-feet high around the lodge, often reaching the roof. The views of the Cascade Mountain Range extend for miles to the north and south. In the summer, you can explore miles of trails and crystal clear lakes. But the lodge's real beauty is revealed in the winter. There's nothing like sitting by one of the many fireplaces with a hot toddy, relaxing after a fun day on the slopes.

Room rates start at $115 and range to $290 for a deluxe fireplace room.