Mt. Hood Meadows Westside

The Mount Hood Meadows Nordic trail system can be thought of as an Eastside network and a Westside network, with an access road that divides the two. You can start any trail in this system at the Nordic Center in the parking lot attached to the Eastside trails, where you can purchase your nordic pass, warm up on a cold day, get some instruction and rent gear. 

To access the Westside network from the Nordic Center, take the Hanel Loop south until you reach the road crossing to your right.  You will have to remove your skies to cross the road at this point. Alternately, if you wish to skip the road crossing, park near the Alpine Service Center and ski south toward the Hood River Meadows Trail. 

For this occasion we chose to cross at the road, placing us onto the Meadows Creek Loop. Ski northwest, toward the mountain, then keep left through two junctions to remain on the loop. When you reach a Y junction, stay right to access Sahalie Falls Road. This road isn’t a part of the Meadows trail system, but it does get groomed. The falls are at the end of the groomed maintenance. 

For the return, ski back to the Y junction. If you are feeling adventurous, pursue the road not taken, which will be a right turn onto the Cheese Roll Loop. Keep right at the next junction to observe the “one way” signs. A steep section with downhill turns makes this loop a fun alternative return or an opportunity to practice your wedge, but either way, you don’t want to be skiing uphill when somebody is skiing down. Continue on the Cheese Roll Loop until it reunites with Meadow Creek, which you can take back to the road crossing.
 

Recommended Gear

Before you head out on your next Mount Hood adventure, make sure you have the right gear! 

Here's a list of our go-to snowshoeing essentials to get you started:

Snowshoes: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe

Men's and Women's • $229.95 • Cushioned, Made in USA, Ultralight, 98.8 oz

Jacket/Shell: Arc'teryx Zeta AR Jacket

Men's and Women's • $475.00 • Waterproof, Adjustable Drawcord Hem, Pit Zips, GORE-TEX

Pack: Mammut Nirvana Pro Pack 

$189.95 • 35L, Carry-On Size, Hip Belt, Ice Axe / Pole Loops, Hydration Compatible

Insulating Layer: Moosejaw Dequindre Down Jacket

Men's and Women's • $134.25 • Water-resistant, Insulated, Adjustable Drawcord Hem

Poles: Black Diamond Traverse Pole 

$79.95 • Aluminum, Adjustable with Lever Lock System, 21 oz.

Gloves: The North Face GORE-TEX Gloves

Men's Powdercloud • $181.61 • Waterproof, Adjustable, Insulated, GORE-TEX

Boots: Vasque Snowblime UltraDry Boot

Men's and Women's • $149.95 • Waterproof, Cushioned, Insulated

Gaiters: Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiter 

Men's and Women's • $64.95 • Waterproof, Breathable, Lightweight, Abrasion-resistant

If you are snowshoeing into avalanche terrain, you should be prepared, equipped and educated on how to use avalanche rescue and snow safety gear - including but not limited to an avalanche beacon/transceiver, probe, and shovel.