GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. — The large storm blanketing the Columbia River Gorge in snow has forced Timberline and Ski Bowl to close and Mt. Hood Meadows to suspend lift operations on Tuesday.
Highway 26 was shut down on Monday and remained closed until around noon on Tuesday. A large number of Mt. Hood Meadows staff and visitors travel on the highway and would not be able to get to the resort, according to a news release.
Mt. Hood Meadows expects to reopen Wednesday morning, depending on highway access and conditions. The storm could impact lift operations and possibly delay openings.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) said Monday afternoon that Highway 26 was closed from Rhododendron to OR-35, and OR-35 was closed from Highway 26 up to the Hood River County line. OR-35 was also open again by noon on Tuesday, according to ODOT's TripCheck map.
"Dangerous winter driving conditions can be found in many areas around Mount Hood and in the Columbia River Gorge," ODOT said in a news release. "Travelers should stay off the roads if possible and use extreme caution if they have to travel."
See the latest road conditions at tripcheck.com or KGW's traffic map.
The Winter Storm Warning in effect for the Cascades and the Columbia Gorge has been extended until midnight Tuesday. Mt. Hood could see 8-12 inches of new snow through Tuesday night, with snow accumulations of 3-6 inches in Hood River.
