Summer Skiing - In The U.S.A.

Yesterday was the first day of summer and the Fat Lady sang out the USA 2008-09 spring skiing last weekend at Mammoth Mountain, but the summer skiing season on Mount Hood, Oregon is alive and well.

Timberline ski area accesses the Palmer Snowfield, which at 8,500 feet above sea level, holds good skiing snow all summer long. Throughout the summer Timberline offers a series of race camps and a family camp, tailored to families with younger children with activities modified to be age specific. However, be advised that the summer terrain is pretty much at the advanced-intermediate level.

Another camp oriented venue based on Mt. Hood is Windells summer freeski camps, founded in 1988 by nine-time National Champion and two-time Vice World Champion snowboarder Tim Windell.

New this year at Windell's is a portable rope tow, the 730-T wire rope tow. Yes, it is on it's own sled and can be moved around to access the best snow. Portable handle tows have been in use around Europe but this is the first in the U.S.

"Summer conditions are always changing," said Tim Windell, "this new lift will allow us to use the best snow everyday and maximize the experience for every camper at Windells all summer long."

Windell's is the world's only privately owned 53 acre campus and features a permanent, year round half-pipe and ski runs as well as BMX dirt bike paths, indoor skate park with foam pit and on-site housing and accommodations for campers.

Windell's freeskiing camps and Timberline race camps run through the summer, usually into September. So, stay home and save money skiing in the USA at Mount Hood this summer where there's also a good chance to catch some World Cup skiers up there.

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