All Images: Erin Spong
I feel like it goes without saying (because we've already said it so much this season) that winter 2026 was a big let-down for the Western half of the country. Historically warm temperatures and low snowfall made it hard for the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest to ever really "turn on." Fleeting storms periodically dropped significant snow totals but it never stayed cold enough to collect into a significant snowpack. We've seen many resorts close earlier than usual this year and unfortunately, Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge is not an exception.
Timberline is usually the summer ski area for slushy turns in t-shirts and has been the go-to spot for summer ski camps for decades. But according to Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camps, that legacy is coming to an early end this year.
A notice was posted on the ski camp's homepage of the website, stating "April 11, 2026 UPDATE: As a result of the low snowpack at Mt. Hood this year, Timberline Lodge announced it would close for the Summer on July 19th, 2026. This decision makes it impossible to offer our camps for Sessions 8 through 11 this Summer. Â Also, Mogul Lane will close on July 4, 2026, so we can only offer our Mogul Camp for Sessions 1 through 5. Furthermore, the Timberline Freestyle Training Center (Terrain Park) will be closing July 11, 2026, so we can only offer our Freeski and Snowboard camps for Sessions 1 through 6.
We deeply apologize and can move those affected to sessions 1 through 7 should your schedule allow. Â Please let us know what works best, or let us know if you need to cancel your registration."
Louis Arévalo enjoying Timberline's refrozen corduroy before the heat of the day, May 2025.
Louis Arévalo enjoying Timberline's refrozen corduroy before the heat of the day, May 2025.
This early closing date—an entire month earlier than last year—is not only an issue for Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camps, but also the legendary freeski camp, Windells. With sessions scheduled through August 1 on the Windells site, there are sure to be a few logistical headaches for camp organizers and coaches, as well as for participants who have already signed up for sessions scheduled after July 19. The Snow League Signature Session was scheduled for July 19-25, and Troy Podmilsak's Signature Session was scheduled for July 26-August 1. Both of those sessions are likely to be rescheduled or canceled altogether. Timberline and Windells have yet to make public announcements about the projected closing date and how that will affect skiing for campers and the general public.
Could this be the beginning of the end of summer skiing in North America? Possibly. Beartooth Basin in Montana is the only other summer ski area in the United States and has struggled with low snow levels in recent years. As winter continues to get warmer, our summer ski prospects continue to melt away, so get in on it while you still can.
