Best sledding locations in the Portland, Oregon, area

If you have lived in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area for long, you know snow is not something seen that often at lower elevations. When it does snow down low, melting usually occurs fairly quickly. When the exception comes along, the area gets snarled in a winter mess. No, Portland isn't equipped to handle snow.

But alas, that cloud does have a sliver lining. Just a few flakes falling can get many districts to cancel school, and snow actually sticking - snow day! Not just for the kids, either, as quite a few workers skip the commute when it's bad too.

So, you are bored, sitting at home on a snow day. Go sledding! One of the great things about the area is the abundance of hills. I have some suggestions for close-in sledding, as well as for persons wanting to get into the deep stuff.

East Side - Mount Tabor

Sure, the Cascade Mountains to the east are extinct, inactive, and quiet-for-now volcanoes, but why go that far when there is one right in town? Mount Tabor is an extinct cone with a park on it. Fun in the summer, it can be a blast in the winter too. Just a light dusting of snow in town might mean a few inches on Mount Tabor. Be aware, though, if there is enough snow for sledding Mount Tabor will be crowded.

There is parking to be had, and there are some fast runs to be found. Mount Tabor is easy to find, with good facilities. Look here for a link to the Portland Parks and Recreation site for Mount Tabor.

West Side - pretty much any side street with elevation

When it snows in the Portland area, it's usually a hills only event. Even if down to the valley floor, the hills get the accumulation. If schools are canceled and traffic is light, myriad side streets offer sledding chances. Where you go should depend on where you are coming from.

If you don't live on a hill and need a sledding spot with a place to park, try Washington Park. With over 400 acres, you can find a hill or two to slide down. Check the link here.

The Mountain

If you really want to get out in the good snow, you have to head up the mountain. While it's not necessary to go all the way up to the ski/board resorts, the alpine town of Government Camp offers skiing, boarding, and exceptional sledding/tubing opportunities.

Only about an hour and a half from most areas of Portland, Government Camp and the area around it offer Portlanders a veritable winter wonderland. Mount Hood Ski Bowl not only offers lifts for the board and ski runs, they also have a tow rope for tubers. Of course, it's not free, but it is affordable. It's the best tubing I've done, my family loves it!

If you aren't interested in the resort areas, there are several areas around Mount Hood that are part of the Sno-Park system. You can resea rch them here. Be aware, Sno-Park permits are required from November 1st through April 30th.

Whatever your sledding desires may be, you don't have to look that hard for a hill to slide down in the Portland area.

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