Mt Hood Meadows operates the ski area under a special use permit managed by the Hood River Ranger District of the Mt Hood National Forest. MHM’s USFS-approved operating plan contains rules of use addressing equipment allowed on slopes, dogs in the ski area, ticketing requirements, and the removal of unsafe persons. Check out the USFS-MHM Operating Plan Rules of Use:
Only those rules of use that address legitimate health and safety concerns, or that do not unduly interfere with the holder’s operation of its business, will be approved by the Forest Service. Every rule of use will be submitted to the Forest Service and approved in writing by an authorized officer before it may be enforced at the site.
The lifts and trails are designed for use by the skiing guest using alpine skis, Nordic skis, snowboards or mono-skis, affixed to their feet by industry standard mechanical binding systems. A person who has a disability is allowed to utilize any specialized equipment that has been designed and manufactured solely for the use by individuals who have disabilities, for example on snow mono-skis, bi-skis, outriggers, and sit-skis. Each ski or board shall have in operation a strap or other device capable of stopping the equipment, should it become detached from the skier. Bulky and carried items such as large backpacks, snow play items, hang gliders, para gliders, ski bobs, snow/ski bikes, snow skates, and children in backpacks, etc. will not be allowed on the lifts. Sledding is not allowed within the Ski Area boundary. With the exception of authorized avalanche dogs, and service dogs; dogs must be leashed while within the Ski Area boundary and are only allowed in the parking lots and designated pet area. Dogs are not permitted beyond these areas including but not limited to inside the lodges or other facilities, near the bottom of ski lifts/maze areas, on ski lifts and ski runs, or on the decks while food service/dining is in operation.
Within the permit area, Mt. Hood Meadows and its representatives are authorized to discourage and report to appropriate authorities:
(1) Incidents of offensive or derisive communication directed at any other person who is lawfully present when that communication has a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person to whom the remark is directed; and
(2) Communications or actions directed toward inciting imminent lawless action and likely to incite such action.
Mt. Hood Meadows may enforce Rules of Use, including a Rule of Use that prohibits the foregoing conduct, within the permit area and may remove persons who violate the Rules of Use. Consequences for violations of the Rules of Use may include loss of skiing privileges up to and including Criminal Trespass proceedings. The Ski Area may use private security services or security guards and/or off-duty state or local law enforcement personnel to enforce the rules of use.
The Ski Area may also call upon state or local law enforcement agencies to enforce violations of state or local law and forest service law enforcement officers to enforce violations of federal law.
Definitions:
The Ski Area may remove trespass persons from the permit area for the following acts/behaviors:
Codes of Conduct
• Your Responsibility Code is THE ski area code of conduct. Know the Code.
• Be ParkSMART when using Freestyle Terrain.
• Skier/Rider responsibilities have been codified in Oregon State Law (see bottom of page for full text of duties) and Hood River County Ordinance.
Mountain Safety
In addition the daily presence of the Mt. Hood Meadows Professional Ski Patrol and the peak day support of the volunteer Mt. Hood Ski Patrol, Mountain Safety Hosts are also present most days to provide information and directions as well as to monitor the slopes for responsible riding. Guests that display a lack of awareness of the Responsibility Code, ParkSMART, the Oregon Skier Statutes or County Ordinance should be prepared to receive education concerning our shared responsibility for safety.
Hosts are here to stoke your passion for snowsports, help make your experience extraordinary and request medical or rescue assistance from Patrol when needed. Hosts strive to keep safety interactions brief, to-the-point, educational, and avoid personalizing the relevant safety topic. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation if you are approached by a Host or Patroller for Safety Education.
When unsafe behavior is not corrected or when the irresponsible behavior is egregious, chairlift access may be revoked until appropriate safety education can be provided. Those whose pass or ticket is revoked will be required to participate in the Are You Aware? Skier/Rider Safety Education Program.
Safety in Numbers! Never ride alone. Always have a meeting place. Keep an eye on your buddy.
Are You Aware?
The intent of this Skier/Rider Safety Education Program is to help skiers and snowboarders become more aware of slope safety, the skier/rider responsibility code and how their actions and behavior on the slopes affect those around them. This program consists of online training and a follow up conversation with Ski Patrol. Email us at are-you-aware@skihood.com to arrange your safety course.
Slow Skiing/Riding Areas
Slow skiing is required wherever SLOW signs are present. Mountain Safety Hosts and Ski Patrollers have high expectations of responsible riding in these SLOW ZONES. Slow Zones exist in beginner learning areas, in congested areas, intersections, and at the bottom of lifts. Always abide by the Code, and in Slow Zones follow these additional guidelines:
• Be capable of stopping at all times
• Maintain extra space between other guests
• Remain upright when moving downhill and remain ready to avoid others below
• Look Around You! and Be Aware of merging and crossing traffic
• GO WITH THE FLOW; overtake other guests with great caution and much space.
Chairlift Safety
Responsibility Code #7: Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
• Be a LIFTSTAR!
• A practice chair is available in the Fun Zone learning area at the bottom of Buttercup
• Manage clothing and backpacks to ensure no loose material disrupts safe loading and unloading.
• Jumping from chairlifts is dangerous to both the jumper and other chairlift riders. Violators will have pass suspended and face a $500 fine.
Uphill Travel ProhibitionMt Hood Meadows generally prohibits uphill travel within our ski area. Read full policy here.
Out-of-Bounds & Closed Area Rescue Fees
Mt Hood Meadows has a Closed Boundary Policy. There is no lift-served access to terrain outside the ski area boundary. Skiing or snowboarding outside of the ski area boundary will result in loss of skiing/riding privileges and possible fine of $500. Any search and rescue operations initiated on your behalf will result in the loss of skiing/riding privileges and will be billed out for the total amount of the cost incurred by MHM during rescue operations. This amount will be no less than $1,000.
No Sledding allowed inside ski area.
Sledding/tubing opportunities in the Mt Hood National Forest may be found here.
Dogs
With the exception of authorized avalanche dogs, and service dogs; dogs must be leashed while within the Ski Area boundary and are only allowed in the parking lots and designated pet area. Dogs are not permitted beyond these areas including but not limited to inside the lodges or other facilities, near the bottom of ski lifts/maze areas, on ski lifts and ski runs, or on the decks while food service/dining is in operation.
For guests that bring their dog with them to the mountain, MHM provides a dog park on the north side of the main parking lot. Please stay off trails above this area and always clean up after your dog.
Equipment around Lodges
For temporary storage of skis and boards around the base area lodges, utilize the racks or the secure Ski Check services. On race days, there will be a blue fence by the Trail Map in the base area within which race skis may be left with bases on the snow. Do not leave skis and boards in travel paths going from lodges to lifts. Skis and boards are not allowed in the second and third floors of the lodge containing food service areas. Respect those eating and relaxing indoors by leaving sharp-edged gear outside.
Drone Policy
Due to safety and privacy concerns, Mt. Hood Meadows prohibits the operation or use on or above our permit area of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, by the general public—including model aircraft by recreational users and hobbyists—without the prior written authorization from Mt. Hood Meadows. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or videotaping, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within the area boundaries. This prohibition extends to any devices launched or operated from Mt. Hood Meadows permit area, as well as any launched from private property outside of the permit area boundaries. This is a year around prohibition, not just during operating seasons.
Please contact Director of Mountain Operations Mel Toney at mel.toney@skihood.com if you have any questions or if you seek prior authorization to operate any such devices.
Any authorized operation of drones on or above Mt. Hood Meadows permit area will be governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and regulations, local law enforcement, and U.S. Forest Service regulations, as well as those policies separately established by Mt. Hood Meadows, which may include certification, training, insurance coverage, indemnification requirements, and waivers or releases of liability. Any violation of this policy may involve suspension of your access privileges to Mt. Hood Meadows, or the revocation of your season pass, as well as confiscation of any prohibited equipment, and may subject violators to any liability for damages, including, but not limited to, damages for trespass, violations of privacy, and physical injuries to persons and/or property, as well as legal fees.
We look forward to your visit
Thank you for spending your time here preparing for a safe and enjoyable visit.
ORS Skiing Statute
30.970 Definitions for ORS 30.970 to 30.990. As used in ORS 30.970 to 30.990:
(
1) "Inherent risks of skiing" includes, but is not limited to, those dangers or conditions which are an integral part of the sport, such as changing weather conditions, variations or steepness in terrain, snow or ice conditions, surface or subsurface conditions, bare spots, creeks and gullies, forest growth, rocks, stumps, lift towers and other structures and their components, collisions with other skiers and a skier's failure to ski within the skier's own ability.
(
2) "Injury" means any personal injury or property damage or loss.
(
3) "Skier" means any person who is in a ski area for the purpose of engaging in the sport of skiing or who rides as a passenger on any ski lift device.
(
4) "Ski area" means any area designated and maintained by a ski area operator for skiing.
(
5) "Ski area operator" means those persons, and their agents, officers, employees or representatives, who operate a ski area. [1979 c.665 §1]
30.975 Skiers assume certain risks. In accordance with ORS 31.600 and notwithstanding ORS 31.620 (2), an individual who engages in the sport of skiing, alpine or Nordic, accepts and assumes the inherent risks of skiing insofar as they are reasonably obvious, expected or necessary. [1979 c.665 §2]
30.980 Notice to ski area operator of injury to skier; injuries resulting in death; statute of limitations; informing skiers of notice requirements.
(1) A ski area operator shall be notified of any injury to a skier by registered or certified mail within 180 days after the injury or within 180 days after the skier discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, such injury.
(2) When an injury results in a skier's death, the required notice of the injury may be presented to the ski area operator by or on behalf of the personal representative of the deceased, or any person who may, under ORS 30.020, maintain an action for the wrongful death of the skier, within 180 days after the date of the death which resulted from the injury. However, if the skier whose injury resulted in death presented a notice to the ski area operator that would have been sufficient under this section had the skier lived, notice of the death to the ski area operator is not necessary.
(3) An action against a ski area operator to recover damages for injuries to a skier shall be commenced within two years of the date of the injuries. However, ORS 12.160 and 12.190 apply to such actions.
(4) Failure to give notice as required by this section bars a claim for injuries or wrongful death unless:
(a) The ski area operator had knowledge of the injury or death within the 180-day period after its occurrence;
(b) The skier or skier's beneficiaries had good cause for failure to give notice as required by this section; or
(c) The ski area operator failed to comply with subsection (5) of this section.
(5) Ski area operators shall give to skiers, in a manner reasonably calculated to inform, notice of the requirements for notifying a ski area operator of injury and the effect of a failure to provide such notice under this section. [1979 c.665 §3]
30.985 Duties of skiers; effect of failure to comply.
(1) Skiers shall have duties which include but are not limited to the following:
(a) Skiers who ski in any area not designated for skiing within the permit area assume the inherent risks thereof.
(b) Skiers shall be the sole judges of the limits of their skills and their ability to meet and overcome the inherent risks of skiing and shall maintain reasonable control of speed and course.
(c) Skiers shall abide by the directions and instructions of the ski area operator.
(d) Skiers shall familiarize themselves with posted information on location and degree of difficulty of trails and slopes to the extent reasonably possible before skiing on any slope or trail.
(e) Skiers shall not cross the uphill track of any surface lift except at points clearly designated by the ski area operator.
(f) Skiers shall not overtake any other skier except in such a manner as to avoid contact and shall grant the right of way to the overtaken skier.
(g) Skiers shall yield to other skiers when entering a trail or starting downhill.
(h) Skiers must wear retention straps or other devices to prevent runaway skis.
(i) Skiers shall not board rope tows, wire rope tows, j-bars, t-bars, ski lifts or other similar devices unless they have sufficient ability to use the devices, and skiers shall follow any written or verbal instructions that are given regarding the devices.
(j) Skiers, when involved in a skiing accident, shall not depart from the ski area without leaving their names and addresses if reasonably possible.
(k) A skier who is injured should, if reasonably possible, give notice of the injury to the ski area operator before leaving the ski area.
(L) Skiers shall not embark or disembark from a ski lift except at designated areas or by the authority of the ski area operator.
(2) Violation of any of the duties of skiers set forth in subsection (1) of this section entitles the ski area operator to withdraw the violator's privilege of skiing. [1979 c.665 §4]
30.990 Operators required to give skiers notice of duties. Ski area operators shall give notice to skiers of their duties under ORS 30.985 in a manner reasonably calculated to inform skiers of those duties. [1979 c.665 §5]