National Historic Landmark. WPA masterwork built by 500 Depression-era workers. Home to the only year-round skiing in North America. And yes — the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining.
Built by WPA Workers
Elevation on Mt. Hood
Vertical Drop — Longest in the US
Only Place in N. America to Ski on Natural Snow
Depression-Era Employment Project
Of Budget Went Directly to Labor
Most Requested Room · The Shining
Resident St. Bernard Dogs
In the Lodge Wine Vault
Timberline Lodge is what happens when 500 unemployed workers during the worst economic crisis in American history are given local stone, recycled railroad tracks, and the freedom to build something magnificent. Built by hand between 1936 and 1938 on the south slope of Mt. Hood at 6,000 feet, this National Historic Landmark is arguably the finest Works Progress Administration project in the United States — a 55,000-square-foot mountain lodge constructed almost entirely from native materials and recycled goods by Depression-era craftsmen and craftswomen who turned economic despair into enduring art.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated it in 1937, calling it “a monument to the skill and faithful performance of workers.” Eighty-eight years later, it’s still serving its original purpose: a ski lodge and mountain retreat for everyone to enjoy. That it also happens to be the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, home to the only year-round lift-served skiing in North America, staffed by resident St. Bernard dogs named Heidi and Bruno, and equipped with a wine vault containing 354 Pacific Northwest red wines is almost beside the point. Almost.
In 1935, Oregon’s WPA director Emerson J. Griffith proposed building a grand mountain lodge as a public works project. Use federal relief funds to employ hundreds of skilled and unskilled workers, rotate jobs to provide the widest possible employment, and build something beautiful enough to last. The soul of the building came from the workers themselves and Margery Hoffman Smith, the interior designer who oversaw woodworkers, ironworkers, weavers, and artists.
The materials tell the story. Massive timbers and volcanic stone came from the site itself. Everything else was recycled with extraordinary ingenuity: CCC camp blankets cut into strips and hooked into rugs. Tire chains became fireplace screens. Railroad tracks were forged into andirons. Discarded cedar utility poles became newel posts, their crowns hand-carved into bears, birds, and seals. Women wove draperies, upholstery, and bedspreads.
About 500 workers over 18 months. Skilled stonemasons (including Italian immigrants who had worked on the Historic Columbia River Highway) earned ninety cents an hour. Unskilled laborers earned fifty-five cents. 80% of the entire $695,730 budget went directly to labor. The building was the byproduct. The jobs were the point. Roosevelt dedicated it on September 28, 1937, arriving with a 40-vehicle motorcade from the Bonneville Dam dedication.
FDR arrived from the Bonneville Dam dedication in an open touring car. He dedicated the lodge from the terrace, calling it “a monument to the skill and faithful performance of workers.” Eleanor Roosevelt praised the building in her My Day column. They celebrated with a luncheon of salmon and huckleberry pie. The architect was Gilbert Stanley Underwood, who had also designed lodges at Bryce Canyon and Yosemite.
Timberline is a working hotel, ski lodge, and restaurant complex that still functions exactly as its builders intended — while drawing nearly two million visitors a year.
The ground floor functions as an interactive museum with original WPA-era works throughout — hand-carved newel posts with bears, birds, and seals; forged ironwork; woven textiles; murals by Oregon artists; and Margery Hoffman Smith’s iconic 750-pound bronze snow goose weather vane atop the head house.
The museum level has displays on the lodge’s history, the Indigenous peoples of the Mt. Hood area, and the evolution of skiing on the mountain. Free with lodge entry — no ticket required.
Stanley Kubrick used Timberline’s exterior as the Overlook Hotel in The Shining (1980). The interior was built on a soundstage in England — so the inside of the lodge looks nothing like the film. But the exterior is instantly recognizable. Room 217 (from Stephen King’s novel) is the lodge’s most requested guest room. A replica axe sits at the front desk for photo ops. The lodge has hosted The Shining-themed Halloween parties complete with creepy twins and Danny riding through the hallways on a Big Wheel.
Timberline’s resident St. Bernard dogs greet guests at the front desk and Day Lodge. The tradition of resident St. Bernards dates to the lodge’s earliest years. Guests can walk or snowshoe with the dogs and their trainer — one of the most unexpectedly charming experiences at any mountain lodge in the country.
The dogs have their own following. Guests plan visits around their schedules. Bruno and Heidi have social media accounts. This is not an accident — it’s pure Timberline charm.
At the height of winter, the ground floor of the lodge is typically fully buried in snow. Entry is through a snow tunnel or directly into the second floor. This single detail captures the drama of living at 6,000 feet on an active volcano better than anything else could. The lodge doesn’t fight the mountain — it accommodates it.
The snow tunnel is one of those things that photographs can’t fully convey. The scale of it — walking into a building through a corridor carved in a snowfield — has to be experienced in person.
The only place on the continent where you can ski on actual mountain snow year-round. See our Mt. Hood region page for the full mountain picture including Mt. Hood Meadows and Cooper Spur.
1,685 acres of terrain · Nine lifts including six high-speed quads · 41 trails · Terrain breakdown: 20% beginner, 50% intermediate, 30% advanced. Night skiing Fridays and Saturdays until 8 PM. Snowcat rides to the top of Palmer Glacier when weather permits. Rentals, lessons, and terrain parks available.
Acres of Terrain
Lifts
Trails
The Palmer Snowfield on the upper mountain operates with the Palmer Express and Magic Mile lifts — the only summer skiing in North America on natural snow. Summer ski and snowboard camps have drawn thousands of athletes annually since the 1970s. The Golden Rose Ski Classic (early June) is the oldest organized ski race in America, running since 1936.
With Summit Pass (formerly Summit Ski Area, established 1927 — the oldest ski area in the Pacific Northwest), Timberline offers 4,540 vertical feet — the longest inbound vertical drop in the United States.
Ride to 7,000 feet for panoramic views of Mt. Hood’s summit, Mt. Jefferson, and the Palmer Snowfield glacier. No skiing required. You can ride down or hike back (about 2 hours on the trail). The single most accessible alpine experience at Timberline for non-skiers.
The Timberline Trail circumnavigates Mt. Hood over 38.3 miles and 9,000 feet of elevation change — one of the great multi-day backpacking routes in Oregon. The Silcox Hut Trail (1 mile up to 7,000 feet) offers sunrise views. Paradise Park Loop delivers wildflower meadows and Hood views. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through, connecting to the 2,650-mile route. See our Oregon Hiking Guide.
Opened 2019. Lift-assisted downhill mountain biking with multiple terrain levels. Longest trail: 4.5 miles. Rentals and lessons available. The bike park has become a major summer draw for Mt. Hood — world-class terrain at 6,000+ feet with runs through old-growth forest and alpine meadows.
Open 9 AM to 11 PM. At 6,000 feet with Mt. Hood rising above you, this might be the most dramatically situated hot tub in Oregon. In winter, you’re surrounded by snow. In summer, the mountain glows above the water. Either version is exceptional. Open to hotel guests.
More varied and more interesting than the typical mountain dining experience. See our Oregon Food & Drink Guide for the statewide picture.
Panoramic mountain views, original WPA artwork on the walls, handwoven table textiles. Brunch 8 AM–2 PM weekends (until noon weekdays), dinner 5:30–8:30 PM. Children 6 and under eat free from the buffets. One of the most architecturally significant dining rooms in Oregon.
11 AM to 11 PM. European Alps-inspired après-ski fondue, locally inspired cocktails, couch seating with mountain views. This is the après-ski destination — a warm room, a good drink, and the mountain out the window. One of the best après-ski atmospheres in the Pacific Northwest.
Visitors describe it as having “speakeasy vibes.” Unexpectedly good pizza in a ski lodge setting — the casual gem of the lodge’s dining options. Perfect after a full day on the mountain when the Cascade Dining Room feels like too much formality.
Timberline’s wine vault contains 354 red wines exclusively from the Pacific Northwest. You participate in a tasting, get a brief tour of the wine program’s history, spin the basket, and pull a numbered bottle from the wall. It’s memorable, fun, and you leave with a serious bottle. Book ahead — this fills up on weekends.
In-room experiences: Toasted S’mores Kit ($24 — make four s’mores at the fire pit on the back patio) · Artisan cheese and charcuterie platters · Mimosas in the Morning package ($50 — sparkling wine, OJ, and fresh pastries delivered to your room)
The building at night, with the fire crackling and the mountain silent outside, feels like a different place than the busy daytime ski lodge. See our Oregon Lodging Guide for statewide options.
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The lodge rooms are not luxury hotel rooms — they’re historic, handcrafted spaces with vintage furnishings, hand-painted artwork, and character that modern hotels spend millions trying to replicate. Rooms are small by modern standards, walls are thin (pack a white noise machine), and bathrooms are compact. That’s the trade-off for sleeping in a National Historic Landmark at 6,000 feet. Free coffee in the Main Headhouse 6–8 AM. Free continental breakfast 8–10 AM in the Cascade Dining Room.
Fireplace rooms, Corner rooms, Twin/Queen, and Chalet suites. All feature handcrafted furnishings and hand-painted artwork. Room 217 (The Shining‘s most requested room) books out months ahead. Reserve early for any weekend stay.
At 7,000 feet, a mile above the lodge — this restored 1939 warming hut is available for group rentals. The most dramatic overnight on Mt. Hood and one of the most unusual lodging experiences in Oregon. Accessible year-round by snowcat or Magic Mile lift.
6 miles downhill — additional lodging at a wider range of price points. The Mt. Hood Express bus connects Government Camp with Timberline Lodge. A practical base for visiting multiple Mt. Hood attractions over multiple days.
See our Best Time to Visit Oregon guide for broader seasonal planning.
The full ski season. Deep snow, snow tunnel entry, night skiing, snowcat rides, and the lodge at its most atmospheric. Mountain view blocked by weather at times — but those days are when the fireplace and Ram’s Head fondue feel most earned. Chains or traction tires required on the drive up.
Palmer Snowfield skiing, the bike park, wildflower hiking, the Magic Mile scenic chairlift, and the heated pool at 6,000 feet. The mountain in summer is a completely different experience — warm, sunny, and green below the snowline. Some of the best mountain scenery accessible by car in Oregon.
Fall color on the drive up Highway 26, the uncrowded lodge, and the possibility of early-season skiing on Palmer. The quietest time to visit. The mountain is stunning in fall light and the lodge feels like a private discovery when the summer crowds have gone.
Corn snow, longer days, spring skiing in t-shirts, and après-ski fondue at Ram’s Head. The spring pass is the best value for Mt. Hood skiing. March and April can still bring significant snowfall — ideal for powder days without the midwinter cold.
On the south face of Mt. Hood, about 60 miles east of Portland via Highway 26 (the Mt. Hood Scenic Highway) through Sandy and Government Camp. Highway 35 connects the north and south sides of Mt. Hood — making a scenic loop possible: Portland → Timberline → Hood River → Portland via I-84.
Public bus service from Sandy to Government Camp and Timberline. A car-free option — increasingly popular for skiers coming from Portland. Check schedules at RideTriMet.org. The Express connects with MAX light rail in Sandy.
Oregon DOT requires chains or traction tires on Highway 26 during winter conditions. Check TripCheck.com before driving. An Oregon Sno-Park permit is required November 1 through April 30 — available online and at local vendors. Summer parking is free.
Absolutely. The WPA history, the handcrafted architecture, the self-guided art tour, The Shining connection, the resident St. Bernards, the dining, and the views from 6,000 feet make Timberline worth the drive regardless of whether you ski. The Magic Mile scenic chairlift operates in summer for non-skiers who want the alpine views without hiking. Many visitors come purely for the building and its story.
Yes — Stanley Kubrick used Timberline Lodge’s exterior as the Overlook Hotel in The Shining (1980). The interior was built on a soundstage in England, so the inside of the lodge looks nothing like the film. Room 217 (from Stephen King’s novel) is the lodge’s most requested room and books out months in advance. A replica axe sits at the front desk for photos, and the lodge has hosted Shining-themed Halloween events.
Yes — Timberline is the only place in North America with year-round lift-served skiing on natural snow. The Palmer Snowfield operates from June through Labor Day, with the Palmer Express and Magic Mile lifts. Summer ski camps have operated here since the 1970s, and the Golden Rose Ski Classic (early June) is the oldest organized ski race in America, running since 1936.
About 60 miles east — roughly 90 minutes via Highway 26 through Sandy and Government Camp. The Mt. Hood Express public bus also serves the route. From Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge, Highway 35 connects the north and south sides of Mt. Hood, making a scenic loop possible.
Timberline Lodge is known as a National Historic Landmark built by WPA workers during the Great Depression (1936–38), featuring handcrafted art and architecture made largely from recycled materials. It offers the longest ski season and the only year-round lift-served skiing in North America, with 4,540 vertical feet of total drop. It’s also known as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining, for its resident St. Bernard dogs Heidi and Bruno, and for Wine Vault Roulette.
During winter conditions, Oregon DOT requires chains or traction tires on Highway 26 between Sandy and Government Camp. Check TripCheck.com before driving. An Oregon Sno-Park permit is also required November 1 through April 30 — available online and at local vendors including gas stations and outdoor retailers near the mountain. Summer parking is free with no permit required.
Mt. Hood Region Guide →
Hood River Guide →
Columbia River Gorge →
Oregon Hiking Guide →
Multnomah Falls Guide →
Portland Guide →
Oregon Food & Drink →
Oregon Lodging Guide →
Oregon Camping Guide →
Best Time to Visit Oregon →
Oregon Road Trips Guide →
Plan Your Trip to Oregon →
Skiing, hiking, Hood River wine, and the complete mountain guide.
