We will hopefully return someday- and will surely spread the word about this gorgeous place.Food was super too- great hospitality
It's always nice to drive through a Cascade forest and arrive at a huge wood lodge on the edge of a glacier to enjoy a lovely dinner as the sun sets over the surrounding peaks and horizon. We love this place.
Best snow early in morning. Hardpack well groomed steep runs soften as sun warms snow. Can easily knock out 20 runs by noon and then kick back on sundeck and enjoy sun. Also terrific bars and restaurants in historic Timberline Lodge. After skiing in morning you can hike in afternoon. Can stay at lodge or camp nearby to make weekend of it.
I've been to Timberline Lodge in nearly every season and while my favorite is winter when I can sit by a huge fireplace with a cup of cocoa and watch the fire on one side and the snow whisper down on the other, the lodge is a marvel unto itself. Hard to imagine it was built essentially by hand, with huge timbers as primary supports, artwork carved into to framework and oozing national and personal history. No wonder it's a National Historic Landmark. The buffet lunch in the main dining room is worth the price, but smaller snacks from other areas are also fresh and interesting. Oh yes, and if you ski - the Ski Patrol there is the best. And don't forget to meet the St. Bernard.
Lots of different sites to accommodate from the very novice to the professional! The staff at Timberline are very courteous and professional and are very personable!
I made reservations Timberline Lodge in earlySeptember and called on our day of arrival to make sure everything was set. After being sent to the same recording over and over, I finally got someone. I was told in a very non-caring way, that there was no reservation. I called later and spoke to someone else who said my reservation was right there. I contacted management regarding the issue.
It has been awhile since I visited the historic Timberline Lodge but recently I joined a group of friends to do just that. Our visit included a stop at the Government Camp area first. I was unaware that there was a free interpretive center/information center there in addition to a few hotels and restaurants. (Worth the stop). I usually scoot past Government Camp and go straight up to Timberline. We enjoyed our brief visit to the area called Government Camp and now plan to return to visit and stay a night there. I never tire of seeing the grand Lodge cozy in its spring snow cave ... even in May. Take the time to visit the first floor area and to on the guided tour led by knowledgeable volunteers. Pet the St. Bernard dogs, too. Then go upstairs and enjoy a feast in either the main restaurant , or , as our group did, arrange for a buffet in the Cascade Room. The food and service was absolutely 5 stars. Spend a leisurely time around one of the massive fireplaces and just soak in the view and craftsmanship. When the snow melts, walk around above the lodge and be inspired by the view. Timberline is truly one of our nation's great treasures.
The Lodge has three history guided walks through the lodge a day. They also have a self guided walk and a pamphlet on the art works of the lodge. The dining room and the bar also feature a unique and bar offerings which are made from local offerings. They are updating the bathrooms which are now very nice in the limited space they have to work with. The personal are very friendly and very proud of the lodge.
We thought it would be cool to ski during summer vacation. It was terrific! Our kids (8 and 11) got such a kick out of skiing on a glacier. The skiing was really limited and you have to go early in the day because the snow gets really soft and they close the mountain by early afternoon. We just happened to arrive right at the end of the month and didn't realize they were closing for a few weeks the next day! Call or go on line and check for dates and times of operation, they might vary depending on the weather. You really don't need too much snow gear and even though we are avid skiers, we rented equipment at the lodge at the base of the mountain that was fine for the day. The only person who wore ski pants was my younger son, he is always cold. The rest of us skied in jeans and sweatshirts, which were fine except when our older son had to sit down to buckle his snowboard and his butt got wet. I would recommend a windbreaker or some other long waterproof jacket for snowboarders, no other outer gear is really necessary.
Really enjoyed a day visit to the Timberline Lodge. Just below 6000 feet we left the Portland rain for sun above the cloud line. The lodge is grand but still very quaint. The beautiful St Bernard greeted us in the lobby. Had a really nice lunch in the second level bar area. Main floor restaurant is buffet style (not my thing). A very nice late summer day trip.