Mt. Hood Meadows vs Homewood — Which Is Better?

Mt. Hood Meadows is the stronger all-round pick here — it offers more vertical than Homewood. That said, Homewood is no slouch, and beginners may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Mt. Hood Meadows delivers more mountain for your trip.

Side-by-Side Stats

Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.

Mt. Hood MeadowsHomewood
Vertical Drop
Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling
869m (2,851ft)514m (1,686ft)
Summit Elevation
How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow
2,225m (7,300ft)2,378m (7,802ft)
Base Elevation
Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain
1,356m (4,449ft)1,864m (6,115ft)
Annual Snowfall
Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds
1,143cm (450in)1,016cm (400in)
Trail Count
Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip
8767
Lift Count
Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access
118
Skiable Area
Total groomed and patrolled terrain in hectares
850ha (2,100ac)502ha (1,240ac)
Beginner Terrain
Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers
15%15%
Intermediate Terrain
Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers
50%50%
Advanced Terrain
Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge
35%35%

Category Breakdown

Mt. Hood Meadows edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.

Vertical DropMt. Hood Meadows wins

Mt. Hood Meadows has somewhat more vertical drop, giving a slightly longer ride on most runs.

Annual SnowfallSimilar

Both resorts receive similar annual snowfall — you can expect comparable snow conditions at either.

Beginner TerrainSimilar

Both resorts offer a similar proportion of beginner terrain — neither has a meaningful edge for first-timers.

Mountain SizeMt. Hood Meadows wins

Mt. Hood Meadows is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.

Snow PreservationHomewood wins

Homewood's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer — better conditions through the day and into spring.

Who Should Choose Which?

Mt. Hood Meadows
Beginners and families with young children

Mt. Hood Meadows has a comparable amount of beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.

Mt. Hood Meadows
Intermediate and advanced skiers wanting variety

Mt. Hood Meadows wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers — more mountain to explore over a full week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for beginners — Mt. Hood Meadows or Homewood?

Both resorts offer a similar amount of beginner terrain (Mt. Hood Meadows: 15%, Homewood: 15%), so neither has a clear edge for first-timers. Focus on which resort offers better ski school programs and convenience for your group.

Which resort gets more snow — Mt. Hood Meadows or Homewood?

Mt. Hood Meadows (1143 cm/year) and Homewood (1016 cm/year) receive similar annual snowfall. Neither has a meaningful snow advantage — other factors like aspect, elevation, and grooming matter more day-to-day.

Which mountain is bigger — Mt. Hood Meadows or Homewood?

Mt. Hood Meadows is the larger mountain by trail count (Mt. Hood Meadows: 87 trails, Homewood: 67 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.

Which has better terrain for expert skiers?

Both resorts offer a similar proportion of advanced terrain (Mt. Hood Meadows: 35%, Homewood: 35%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.

Which resort is better for families?

Both Mt. Hood Meadows and Homewood are similarly suited to families. Look at ski school quality, on-mountain kids' facilities, and accommodation proximity to lifts when making your final decision — those practical factors matter more than raw stats for a family trip.

Related Comparisons

Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.

Full Stats