Can you snowboard at Mt. Hood in the summer without being in a camp?

Is mt hood open to the public during the summer?

• I really want to ski this summer, and i looked into mt hood but my dad said you can only go there if you are part of the camp.. is that true? or can i just get a pass and ski with my friends up there? Also, is it all terrain park? or is there some just runs?

• Answer:

  It's open all summer, weather permitting. This photo of Timberline's runs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MtHood-Timberline-MagicMile-Palmer.jpg shows the lanes of the upper part. The lanes closest to the Palmer Lift are open to the public. The other lanes are reserved for ski and snowboard camps. However, if a lane is unused, no one will mind if you ride down it. Be sure not to cross an occupied lane without permission. Sometimes a camp with too few participants will welcome people to "slip" the course (smooth out ruts) and in return will let you take a run or two through the gates. Anyone can buy a lift ticket and ride. Most of the summer, you can even rent equipment. Note that during the summer, weekdays are busiest due to the camps, complete with 15+ minute lift lines; weekends are relatively uncrowded. During May and until early June, lift hours are 8 am to 2 pm. Sometime in June the hours shift to 7 am to noonish, or whenever the snow becomes too soft due to the day's heat. Do not underestimate how cold it is up top! Most days, when you arrive at the parking lot it will be like 80 or 90 °F. Once you get to the top of the Palmer, it can be below freezing with snow flurries, though usually it's 50 or 60 and intensely sunny. Most people carry a day pack with warm clothes, sunscreen, food, and water and leave it at the top (beside the lift station, laying on the snow) in case they need to change. If it should rain, most people leave and the lifts might close due to lack of interest. Terrain parks are limited in the summer. Usually the groomers have a half pipe and a few small features for most of the season. Mostly the terrain is steep and smooth, with variable surface conditions—anywhere from hard packed ice to SnoCone slush. Early summer, it is possible to ride snow all the way down the Magic Mile to the loading station. However, by late June or early July, it is necessary to walk at least part of the way to the loading station due to no snow. Just follow the line of people carrying skis + boards. Note that the Mile is not novice or low beginner terrain though intermediates should be comfortable. The Palmer Chair has its first pitch steep enough that most intermediates are uncomfortable and usually sideslip or go around it. After a few turns, it's solid intermediate terrain down to the Mile.