Located to the east of Portland and situated to the south of the spectacular Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge ski resort boasts the longest ski season in North America, a huge vertical, and a large ski domain. Skiing and snowboarding is for all levels, with an emphasis on intermediates, and half of the terrain is below the tree-line. Summer skiing here is especially fantastic.

The main resort centre and accommodation base is in Hood River, to the north; this is a charming town on the Columbia River with some nice boutique shopping. Facilities at Timberline resort include a ski shop and rental outlet, gift shop, a snowboard and ski school with programmes for kids and childcare for toddlers (4 to 12 years old).

Most of the lodging is in Hood River and consists of hotels and bed-and-breakfasts; while the 71-room Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark, is located in the resort. The Cascade Dining Room in the main lodge has delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine and the Ram's Head and Blue Ox bars offer hearty mountain fare and speciality beverages in a casual atmosphere.

There are 32 slopes at Timberline Lodge ski resort, 50 per cent of which are for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, and the longest run is 2.8kms. Six chairlifts have an uplift capacity of 7,800 people per hour and provide slope access. Snowboarders also have two terrain parks.

For alternative skiing, there are three other resorts nearby: Mount Hood Meadows, Mount Hood Ski Bowl and Cooper Spur. If you’re after some expert terrain, head for Mt Hood Meadows’ Heather Canyon. Hood River, with its tree-lined streets and smart boutiques, is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon.

Timberline ski resort is open for 325 days of the year, with peak times from November 25 to 28, December 26 to January 2, and January 17 and February 21, and weekends in January and February. Flying to Portland and catching a shuttle bus or hiring a car is the best way to get here.