Whether you currently live in Portland or are just visiting, you cannot help but notice how beautiful the city and the land that surrounds it is. Being in such a beautiful area gives you so many opportunities to do outdoor activities. One such activity that has become a Portland wintertime favorite is sledding.
There are numerous sledding spots located in and around Portland that provide a perfect opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy the snowy weather. Within just a short drive you and your family can hit the slopes and enjoy some of the best sledding that Oregon has to offer!
Sledding Spots Outside of Portland:
1. Mt. Hood Skibowl East Tubing
Location
87000 US-26, Government Camp, OR 97028
This tubing park is located in the Mt. Hood area which is a little over an hour east of Portland off of Highway 26.
Cost
Tickets cost $27 to $31 for adults and $22 to $26 for kids. Tickets are normally bought for 2-hour sessions and can differ in price depending on the day and time of the session.
For a more detailed explanation on pricing, I’d suggest visiting the Skibowl Tubing website.
Hours
Mt. Hood Skibowl Tubing is open from 9:45 am to 4:15 pm. The hours are split up by 2-hour sessions and hours can change depending on the day. Once again, it is a good idea to visit the website for more info.
More Info
This tubing park is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Oregon. If the amazing sledding hills don’t take your breath away, the snow brushed trees and grand views of the great Mt. Hood certainly will.
Upon arrival, you will have the opportunity to fly down the various hills and runs that the tubing park at Skibowl has to offer.
This park is perfect for families because it offers a variety of different ride that is safe and steep enough for any age. In addition to that, you don’t even have to worry about breaking a sweat carrying your tube back up the hill. This tubing park offers a “magic carpet” conveyor ride up to the top of the hill.
There are two main tube hills: the Extreme Tube Hill and the Kiddie Tube Hill.
The Extreme Tube Hill is for older kids and adults and is sure to get your adrenaline pumping as you plunge down the nicely groomed hill towards the bottom. Kiddie Hill, on the other hand, is a shorter and less steep hill that is perfect for the little ones.
Additional Things to Know
Mt. Hood Skibowl is not just a perfect place to go tubing, but it is also a great ski resort that offers 65 ski and snowboard runs. The tubing area also offers night tubing or “cosmic tubing” as they call it. During night tubing, the snow-covered tubing runs are brilliantly lit up by 600,000 LED lights and the sound of music fills the air.
This snow park also offers an indoor obstacle course for the kiddos called Frosty’s Playland. Other indoor facilities are available such as heated bathrooms and a dining area.
2. Summit Ski Area Tubing
Location
90255 Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, OR 97028
Summit Ski Area Tubing is also located in the Mt. Hood area. It an hour and 15-minute drive east of Portland off of highway 26. The tubing area is located right by the Summit Ski Resort.
Cost
Tickets cost $26 for a day pass. Tickets can be reserved and bought on the Summit Ski Area website.
Hours
Open daily from 11 am to 8 pm.
More Info
The tubing park at Summit Ski Area is a definite must try! The tubing area is located in Mt. Hoods oldest ski area. The resort was opened over 75 years ago in 1927.
You and your family are guaranteed to enjoy the 3 large and fast tubing hills that it offers.
The great part about tubing at Summit is that the runs are freshly groomed and the tubes are provided in the cost of the ticket. You won’t even have to worry about packing your own sleds and tubes. After a good session of tubing, you can unwind and relax in a heated lodge or grab a warm drink or a bite to eat in the dining area.
Additional Thing to Know
If you get bored of tubing, why not try out the skiing or snowboarding on one of the many downhill runs and Nordic trails offered by Summit Ski Area?
The best part about skiing and snowboarding at Summit is that prices are very affordable (just over $30) and the snow is great!
3. Little John Sno Park
Location
OR-35, Mt Hood, OR 97041
Little John Sno Park is about an hour and a half drive from Portland in the Mt. Hood area, right by Brooks Meadow Rd.
Cost
This sledding spot is free. There is, however, a $3 fee for a parking pass.
Hours
N/A
More Info
If you are looking for a free but great quality tubing hill to slide down, look no further. Little John Sno Park is situated at 3,700 ft. above sea level in a pristine location. The hill and its runs are wide open but still surrounded by tall pine forests that make for a scenic sledding experience.
Little John offers a great non-commercialized sledding hill.
There are no conveyor belts or lifts that cart you to the top of the slope but the fact that this good of tubing is free makes all the difference. The workout that you receive hiking to the top of the hill is always rewarded with a fun slide down towards the bottom!
After an exhilarating day of tubing, you can relax in the warming shelter that is provided. You can also rest assured that there are heated bathrooms for you and kids to use, if the need arises.
Additional Things to Know
Due to Little John being located at a lower elevation, it can sometimes lack enough snow to properly enjoy sledding. I suggest always checking snow and weather conditions before making the drive up.
In addition to that, families are required to bring their own sledding gear. Only tubes or plastic sleds are allowed on the hill. Snowmobiles, wooden runner sleds, or snowboards are not allowed.
I would also recommend checking out the various snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails in the area.
4. White River Sno Park
Location
White River Sno Park is also located in the Mt. Hood area. It is about 60 miles or an hour and a half from Portland. The sledding hill is tucked between Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline.
Cost
Free, except for a $3 parking pass!
Hours
N/A
More Info
White River Sno Park is a snow play area located on federal land, therefore it is unregulated and free to use. There is a wonderful sledding hill that is just a five-minute walk from the main parking area. The hill is great for little kids and is fun for adults as well.
There are also bigger and steeper hills located further down from the first “smaller” hill.
Honestly, there is not much to complain about when it comes to this sledding spot! It is free and the scenery is to die for. You will have a hard time keeping your eyes on the slopes because the area is back-dropped by incredible views of the mountains (especially Mt. Hood).
Be sure to bring your camera, not just to get pictures of your loved ones sledding, but also so that you can capture the beautiful landscapes.
Additional Thing to Know
White River Sno Park is a pretty popular place, not just amongst sledders, but also for those who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. It can get a little crowded, so be sure to area a little bit earlier in order to find open hills and good parking.
Similar to Little John, this park provides no tubes or tubing equipment. Families must pack their own gear. There is also no lift or conveyor to bring to the top of the hill. This is good ole’ fashioned tubing at its finest!
5. Cooper Spur Resort
Location
11000 Cloud Cap Rd, Mt Hood, OR 97041
Cooper Spur Resort Tubing Area is a little ways away from Portland. It is located in the Mt. Hood area about 2 hours from Portland off of highway 35.
Cost
$14 per person.
Hours
Open Saturdays and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.
More Info
Cooper Spur is a small resort located on the magnificent north side of Mt. Hood. Not only does Cooper Spur offer great skiing and snowboarding in its 50-acre resort, but there is also a tubing park that makes for wonderful sledding.
The tubing park offers thrilling rides and even comes equipped with a tow rope that will pull you back to the top of the hill. In addition to that, the park includes a Children’s Snow Carousel for kids who are under 42″ in height.
Once you are done tubing on these awesome hills you can relax in style at one of the lodges located. These lodges offer food and steamy hot cocoa.
Additional Things to Know
If you are looking for a quieter and less crowded tubing experience, Cooper Spur is the place to be. Because it is a further drive from Portland it tends to attract fewer crowds and makes for a relaxing tubing experience.
Cooper Spur offers sledding and snowboarding. There are also many places to go snowshoeing and cross country skiing as well.
6. Trillium Lake Sno Park
Location
90312 Mt Hood Hwy, Government Camp, OR 97028
Trillium Lake Sno Park is located and hour and a half east of Portland in the Mt. Hood area.
Cost
Free besides a $3 park pass.
Hours
Everyday from 8 am to 6 pm.
More Info
During the winter months, Trillium Sno Park is favorite among snowshoers and cross country skiers. It also is a perfect spot to go sledding.
This spot is a very rudimentary sledding area and lacks many of the other perks that other spots have to offer. The sledding hills and beautiful scenery make up for what it lacks.
In order to find a good sledding hill, a walk from the 200-car parking lot is required. There are many spots to choose from and sledders often create their own runs.
Additional Things to Know
Trillium Sno Park offers no facilities such as bathrooms or warming shelters and sledders are required to bring their own sleds.
It is such a fun place to go not only for sledding but also for other snow activity like snowman building or snowball fights. It can get a little crowded, so be prepared for that.
7. Santiam Sno Park
Location
Highway 20, Sisters, OR 97759
Santiam is one sledding spot that is located further from Portland. It is about 3 hours southeast of the city off of Highway 20.
Cost
Free besides a $3 parking pass.
Hours
N/A
More Info
Santiam Sno Park is sure to become a family favorite sledding spot. It may be located a little further away from Portland, but is well worth the drive. The sledding hills sit at 4,800 feet in elevation and provide gorgeous views and scenery.
This sledding spot is one of only two tubing hills in the Santiam Pass area. The winter normally brings a great amount of snow and the hills are perfect for all age groups.
Additional Things to Know
You’re in luck. This sledding area does provide public restrooms. So when the little ones have to go you won’t be stressing.
The McKenzie River Ranger District asks that sledders be careful when using this sledding hill. They recommend that at least a foot and a half of snow be on the ground before you go sledding. In addition to that, they ask to respect the safety of others and not build jumps on the hill.
8. Autobahn Tubing Park
Location
27400 Big Lake Road, Sisters, OR 97759
Autobahn tubing park is located in the Hoodoo Ski Area which is 3 hours southeast of Portland off of Highway 20.
Cost
Tickets are split up based on whether you are tubing all day or for just 10 runs. Prices range from $17 to $34 depending on age. For more detailed information visit the Autobahn Tubing Park website.
Hours
Friday-Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
More Info
If you and your family are looking for a thrilling ride, try out Autobahn Tubing Park. This tubing park is located in the beautiful Hoodoo Ski Area and is named after the world’s fastest road for a reason!
Autobahn’s tubing hill has multiple groomed lanes that give you an 800-foot ride. They are fairly steep as well. Once at the bottom, you can ride the tow rope to the top and slide down again. It is also important to note that there is a bunny sled hill available for the little ones.
The tubing park also offers a warming hut with snacks and food for sale. This will help you gain the energy you need to continue tubing.
Additional Thing to Know
One great thing about Autobahn Tube Park is that tube rentals are included in the ticket costs.
If you are burnt out for tubing, try skiing and snowboarding at the nearby Hoodoo Ski Area. You will have a choice of 32 runs of world-class skiing to choose from.
Sledding Spots in Portland:
9. Deadman’s Hill
Location
Deadman’s Hill is located in northeast Portland on NE Stuart Drive between Alameda Drive and Regents Drive.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
This hill is named Deadman’s hill for a good reason. It is an absolute epic hill that is estimated to have a 13% grade! This sledding hill is only for those that are very experienced or those who are absolute thrill-seekers.
You are literally bombing down an extremely steep/unplowed one-way street.
Additional Things to Know
You sled Deadman’s Hill at your own risk.
Remember, this sledding hill is an actual road, so watch out for cars and make sure no pavement is exposed when you are sledding. There is a stop sign at the bottom of the hill…try and stop before that sign.
10. Sellwood Park
Location
SE Miller St & SE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97202
This park and sledding area is located South of downtown Portland on the banks of the Willamette River.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Everyday from 5 am to midnight
More Info
Sellwood Park has mild slopes and multiple hills to choose from, thus making it a perfect place for little kids to go sledding.
In the summer, this park offers great picnic areas and walking trails, but in the winter it becomes a perfect spot for sledding.
Additional Things to Know
Sellwood Park is a 16-acre park that has many options for things to do besides sledding. The park offers picnic areas, bathrooms, a soccer field, a softball field, tennis courts, and much more.
11. Fernhill Park
Location
6010 NE 37th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
Fernhill Park is located northeast of downtown Portland near Concordia University.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Daily from 5 am to midnight.
More Info
This 24-acre park offers a great variety of hills to choose from. Once the snow falls you can find locals and college students hitting the slopes in search of winter fun.
Another perk to this park is that it is dog-friendly. So don’t forget your four-legged sledding buddy!
Additional Things to Know
Fernhill Park can get a little bit crowded (especially on a good snow day). If you want to beat the crowds, I’d suggest arriving earlier in the morning or later on in the evening.
12. Skidmore Bluffs
Location
2206 N Skidmore Ct, Portland, OR 97217
THis sledding spot is located 20 minutes north near Madrona City Park.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Daily from 5 am to 10 pm
More Info
The thing that makes this area such a good place to sled is in its name. Skidmore Bluffs is located on a “bluff” or a hill that overlooks Portland. It is not only a fun area to hang out and enjoy the view, but it also makes for some fun sledding!
Things to Know
Skidmore Bluffs is probably not the best sledding area for little kids. The slopes are pretty steep and there is a risk of falling or losing control.
13. Gabriel Park
Location
SW 45th Ave & Vermont Street, Portland, OR 97219
Gabriel Park is in southeast Portland by the Maplewood neighborhood.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Daily from 5am to midnight
More Info
If you live in the Portland area (or even Beaverton) this is one sled spot you will not want to skip over. Gabriel Park is loads of fun for any type of sledder. It has tons of different hills to choose from and is sure to entertain you and your family for hours.
Additional Things to Know
This park is quite large (90-acres) and offers tons of other amenities and activities. Gabriel Park has many paths you can walk, a softball field, a skate park, picnic areas, and much more.
This park is worth checking out when there is no snow on the ground.