ADVENTURE GUIDE
Summer Snowboarding
BY NAOMI GOLLOGLY

Camps
Lift Tickets
Rentals
Dining
Lodging
Mount Hood Brewing Co. and Brewpub
Trillium Lake

The June edition of Harper's Index reveals a telling insight into the depths of desperation to which many have sunk at the mercy of recent weather trends: Estimated number of calls made to Californian Al Nino since last year by people asking "Why are you doing this?": 100.

Obviously, these distraught individuals aren't skiers or snowboarders--otherwise they'd be calling up old Al to thank him. Whether it's due to El Niño, certain Californians or just the usual vagaries of Oregon weather, Mount Hood couldn't provide a better excuse to renounce summer and partake in year-round snow-related revelries instead.

A scant hour's drive from the rainy city, Mount Hood boasts the longest ski season in the nation, thanks to Palmer Glacier. Long after the lower-seated Meadows and Ski Bowl have sent their ski patrols packing and begun to reel in the mountain bikers, Timberline's parking lot remains filled with a smorgasbord of vehicles bearing out-of-state plates, ski racks and eager snow seekers.

During the summer months the snow can be the consistency of that Technicolor concoction sold at the local 7-11, causing some purists to turn up their noses. But that doesn't stop skiers and snowboarders from around the world, including the U.S. Olympic Team, from flocking to Mount Hood. Besides, the reflective properties of even slushy snow substantially amplify tanning potential, even under cloud cover. Add the fact that guest appearances by our elusive glowing star have been known to occur relatively more frequently here than at lower elevations, and you have an excellent recipe for beating the rainy-day blues.

Summer snow pursuits necessitate an early start time; conditions tend to decline as the day progresses. This means an excruciating alarm-clock setting, but a more than adequate payoff comes in the form of additional time for aprés-ski pursuits of various natures. So forget pining for a summer that may never arrive in favor of the sure thing: Don the winter woolies, grab the skis or snowboard and head for the hills.

Camps
Summer race camps, including speed-oriented camps for Tommy and Picabo wannabes and family-oriented ones for the decidedly less hell-bent, are held throughout the summer for one- and two-week periods (231-5402). The camps fill up early, so be sure to book ahead of time. Individual lessons can also be arranged through the ski school.

Lift Tickets
From the 6,000-foot level at which Timberline sits, the Magic Mile lift transports snow seekers to the bottom of the Palmer Express. This high-speed quad rapidly conveys its riders up to the 8,500-foot elevation. From there, it's a long, smooth schuss down an admittedly slushy slope, accompanied by sweeping views of the valley, weather permitting, and an up-close look at the clouds if it doesn't. Lifts operate 8 am-2:30 pm through June 13 for the low price of $20. After that it's $32 for a ticket, and operating times change to 7 am-1:30 pm when (and if) the days begin to get warmer. It's wise to get a report on the conditions before committing to an entire day in the elements; the snow phone (222-2211) provides a daily update.

Rentals
For easy, hassle-free equipment rental, get 'em at the Timberline rental shop on the bottom floor of the day lodge (503-272-3714). Snowboard and boot rental is $33 with a credit card or check deposit. Skis, boots and poles rent for $19 per day with no deposit required.

Dining
The Ram's Head bar in the main lodge features magnificent views of both the mountain and the lofty interior architecture, alongside a steaming bowl of soup and a mean Bloody Mary. The Cascade Dining Room, with its stunning valley vista, makes for a more formal meal with excellent steaks, seafood and pastas. Bus loads of sightseers can overrun the place during peak seasons, however, so consider booking ahead, especially for dinner (503-272-3700).

Lodging
Built in 1936, dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt and featured in The Shining, the rough-hewn Timberline Lodge provides a warm year-round welcome with the help of its shaggy St. Bernard mascot, Bruno, who presides over the entryway. An overnight stay at the lodge (231-5400, $65-$180) buys access to the outdoor pool and hot tub, along with a chance to expose that winter-white belly and pretend that summer actually does exist--albeit at a lower temperature and with a little more snow than planned.

Mount Hood Brewing Co. and Brewpub
The one-road town of Government Camp, affectionately known as "Guvvy" by locals, is an old logging camp that now plays host to ski bums in winter, ski bums in summer. Guvvy boasts all the cultural chutzpah of a basement thrift shop. Still, a decent brew and meal can be found beside the Blitz and Bud in the guise of the Mount Hood Brewing Co.'s Cloudcap Amber or Hog's Back Stout, paired with a selection from the menu of pizzas named after the mountain's natural landmarks. Consider this the last safe haven before heading home again to face the very real possibility of a stalled summer.

Trillium Lake
Just to prove that you can go from an environment filled with water in its solid state to one of a more liquid nature by way of a mere 20-minute drive, stop by Trillium Lake on your way back to town for an afternoon hike and swim (head east on Highway 26 from the Timberline turnoff, then follow the signs). Here you can gaze back up at the snow-covered peak from whence you came while surrounded by wild flowers, rambunctious tots and the bittersweet odor of burnt hamburgers.