Ski the Glade happens annually in March and it is a true bucket list event for any Mt. Hood skier or snowboarder.

This is a unique and authentic Mt. Hood experience that brings to life the history of the Glade Trail and the mystique of the mountain.

This year did not disappoint, with weather that held until the last run, stories of old timers in the 30’s skiing down the Glade in the pitch dark after many a beer, and skiers with headlamps from the 1950’s. Patrollers with 40 years of friendship were out skiing it for the hundredth time, but for my son and I it was our first time skiing the Glade trail even though we have skied Mt. Hood for many years. Everyone had a different reason for being out there but we all enjoyed the moment due to our common love for this amazing mountain.

The event is put on by the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum through the efforts of Lloyd Musser, Diane Lokting and the many volunteers. The stories of early day skiers in Oregon are retold by the museum’s curator, Lloyd Musser and participants are able to ski the same trail that has spawned many a tale. In Lloyd’s words, “this event helps fulfill our mission of preserving and interpreting the history of Mt. Hood. This is a chance for Grandparents to ski with their grandchildren and share the memories of skiing the Glade Trail, when it was the biggest ski adventure on Mt. Hood.”

The trail originates at Timberline ski area and ends in Government Camp. The history of this trail system dates back to 1888 with the Glade Trail being built in 1937 by the US Forest Service as part of the Timberline Lodge Ski Complex Project. The trail is quite fun and stretches over 2.7 miles with a vertical drop of almost 1900 feet. The slope is nice and gradual, making it fun for all levels of skiers and snowboarders and an incredibly family-friendly event.

View awesome photos of the 2016 Ski The Glade by Lisa Miller: https://www.flickr.com/photos/125551587@N08/with/25197239259/

An event of this proportion could only be made possible through the cooperation of the US Forest Service, Mt Hood Ski Patrol, Timberline Lodge, many volunteers and the Mt Hood Cultural Center and Museum. Mt. Hood Ski Patrol provides trained backcountry EMTs as guides and the Mt. Hood Museum provides Eco Shuttles from Government Camp back up to Timberline Lodge, for taking runs from 9AM to 4PM, and with the assistance of Timberline Lodge’s grooming crew the Glade Trail is groomed all the way from Timberline Ski Area to Government Camp. Mt. Hood Ski Patrol volunteers to both guide and provide medical support to the event, and the US Forest Service works with all parties to issue this one-day special use permit. 

Make sure to go next year and check-out this Mt. Hood bucket list experience!

Zeb Yaklich is an avid skier, President of Off The Wall Media in Portland and a board member of the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum.

Last modified: March 9, 2016