When it comes to powder and steeps, Skibowl courts the connoisseur on both counts. During the day, Skibowl, the closest resort to Portland, offers the most challenging lift-accessed terrain on Mount Hood. While the wide-open slopes and narrow chutes of the Upper Bowl are winch-cat groomed, the resort includes 300 acres of steep, deep ungroomed outback skiing of the kind that's generally reserved for snowcat and helicopter service. In addition to great day-skiing for everyone from novices to experts, Skibowl really comes into its own after sunset. Think star-filled skies, fresh powder, and no crowds. With 34 beautifully maintained night-lit runs, Skibowl is the largest night-lit resort in the U.S. Skiers have the option of the "night shift" from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights). There are no lift lines at night, and the sparkling lights on the white snow give the resort a festive, holiday feel all season long. Skibowl also does a good job accommodating non-skiers with terrain and snow-tubing parks.

Skibowl is one of the oldest operating ski resorts in the country. Originally two separate areas, Multorpor (an acronym combining letters from Multnomah County, Portland, and Oregon) became home to the legendary "Jump Hill" in 1928. Skibowl opened with a rope tow on the huge, wide-open bowls of Mt. Hood's southern slopes in 1937, and if you rode the tow while lugging a gallon of gas, you skied free. The two areas merged in 1964, with the present owner, Kirk Hanna, buying the resort in 1987. Since then, the area has been completely rebuilt, with new chairlifts, including the highest chairlift span in the U.S. In 2005, the historic Warming Hut

When it comes to powder and steeps, Skibowl courts the connoisseur on both counts. During the day, Skibowl, the closest resort to Portland, offers the most challenging lift-accessed terrain on Mount Hood. While the wide-open slopes and narrow chutes of the Upper Bowl are winch-cat groomed, the resort includes 300 acres of steep, deep ungroomed outback skiing of the kind that's generally reserved for snowcat and helicopter service. In addition to great day-skiing for everyone from novices to experts, Skibowl really comes into its own after sunset. Think star-filled skies, fresh powder, and no crowds. With 34 beautifully maintained night-lit runs, Skibowl is the largest night-lit resort in the U.S. Skiers have the option of the "night shift" from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights). There are no lift lines at night, and the sparkling lights on the white snow give the resort a festive, holiday feel all season long. Skibowl also does a good job accommodating non-skiers with terrain and snow-tubing parks.

Skibowl is one of the oldest operating ski resorts in the country. Originally two separate areas, Multorpor (an acronym combining letters from Multnomah County, Portland, and Oregon) became home to the legendary "Jump Hill" in 1928. Skibowl opened with a rope tow on the huge, wide-open bowls of Mt. Hood's southern slopes in 1937, and if you rode the tow while lugging a gallon of gas, you skied free. The two areas merged in 1964, with the present owner, Kirk Hanna, buying the resort in 1987. Since then, the area has been completely rebuilt, with new chairlifts, including the highest chairlift span in the U.S. In 2005, the historic Warming Hut on the shelf between the upper and lower bowl was rebuilt, with comfortable chairs and heated bathrooms.

Despite recent renovations, Skibowl still has a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. In addition to some outrageous drops off the ridgeline of Tom Dick Peak, there's a healthy mix of groomed cruisers, steeps, and glades that caters to beginning and intermediate skiers and boarders. The area is separated into two distinct areas—Skibowl East on the north-facing slope of Multorpor Mountain (4,300), and Skibowl West, which includes the more difficult terrain on the much larger Skibowl (5,056) and Tom Dick (5,1000) peaks to the north.

Beginners and families with kids should start out on the Multorpor Chair, a double lift that climbs the saddle between the two areas. Easy Street is a wide, gently sloped green run that curves its way through the tall stands of fur and pine that are characteristic of Pacific Northwest ski areas. Another classic beginner run is Lower Bowl, off the Lower Bowl chair, because of its wide sweeping vistas of Mount Hood.

Intermediate skiers will be drawn to Mount Hood Lane, off the Multorpor Chair, and the Olympic-certified Reynolds Run, accessed by the Upper Bowl Chair. For even more breath-catching thrills, head west from the top of Upper Bowl Chair along Hanna Ridge to Tom Dick Peak, where experts will find some of the best in-bound cliff skiing in Oregon, including Tom Dick Bowl and Gunsight Notch, both spectacular double-black-diamond runs.

Not only is Skibowl a prime skiing destination, people make the hour drive from Portland just for the food. The Warming Hut, midway up the mountain, combines rustic charm with a warm fire and some of the best German sausages and hot spiced wine this side of Zermat, and the authentic goulash is guaranteed to defrost skiers even on the chilliest days. While aficionados of local microbrews and homemade nachos will want to hang their poles at Skibowl West's Beer Stube, true gourmets won't want to miss the Multorpor Restaurant and Lounge at the Skibowl East Lodge. The chef prepares fabulous European cuisine Friday through Sunday nights. Local favorites are the Wiener schnitzel and homemade apple strudel. The giant picture windows from the dining room overlook the Cascade chairlift and tube hill—it's a great place to catch the sunset at the end of the day.

Oregon ski resorts have never been known for slope-side lodging, but Skibowl is changing the mold. Across the highway from Skibowl is Collins Lake Resort. The relatively new mountain lodge oozes with rustic charm and offers two- and three-bedroom chalets with full kitchens, stone fireplaces, and private garages for extremely reasonable prices. The Creekside Lodge at Collins Lake has a heated swimming pool and hot tub, a sauna, and beautiful views from its covered decks. The resort offers great package deals. Or, from the Skibowl parking lot, you can walk into the mountain village of Government Camp, with a variety of hotel and restaurant options. For apres-ski fun, local-style, try Charlie's Mountain View, with its more than 30-year legacy of live music, pool, darts, and local brews.

Where: Government Camp, Oregon. Skibowl is off US Highway 26, about 50 miles east of Portland.