This Master Development Plan continues the ongoing process of long-term planning and strategic visioning by R.L.K. and Company, the operators of Timberline. It takes a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to planning the connection of Summit Pass with Timberline Ski Area. The integration of Summit Pass, which was recently acquired by R.L.K. and Company, will help resolve long-standing use conflicts, traffic problems, and parking limitations at Timberline and Government Camp.
“Our 2022 Timberline Master Development Plan was recently reviewed and accepted by the U.S. Forest Service. While it does not approve any of the concepts held within, it recognizes that they are consistent with the Forest Plan,” says Jeff Kohnstamm, President and Area Operator. “I would like to thank all of the wonderful people that helped with this work but especially Jon Tullis and John Burton from Timberline as well as the professionals from our partners at SE Group. Please take some time to look it over and as always we are interested in your input. We will have thorough analysis and public outreach when the time comes to make specific proposals. In the meantime, we are excited for the future of our community which we envision as inspiring, balanced, inclusive, sustainable, livable and memorable.”
The Timberline Master Development Plan (MDP) is intended to be the guiding document for future development at Timberline. This MDP exclusively evaluates facilities at the resort that are directly related to the ski area operation. The vision for Summit Pass is to continue to operate the facility as a community ski hill, which is family-orientated, affordable, and friendly, while upgrading facilities to support the vision of connecting Government Camp with Timberline.
Highlights of the Master Plan include:
Timberline Gondola
The Timberline Gondola is the cornerstone of Timberline’s Upgrade Plan. The gondola would not only provide year-round aerial access to Timberline from the Summit Pass base area for both guests and employees, it would also alleviate the congestion on OR Highway 173 (the Timberline Road). It would serve as an introductory experience to a variety of guests to Timberline and the Mt. Hood National Forest, including beginner skiers, more advanced skiers traveling to Timberline, tourists exploring the area, people sledding or tubing, and more. The proposed gondola would originate adjacent to the existing Summit Pass Chairlift bottom terminal and is planned to move guests to a top terminal adjacent to the top terminal of Jeff Flood Express.
New Summit Pass Facilities
The Summit Pass base area—including the Summit Pass Lodge, parking facilities, and access and circulation roads—would be reconfigured to improve the guest arrival and overall visitation experience for both skiers who exclusively use the Summit Pass terrain as well as guests who park at Summit Pass to access the rest of the terrain at Timberline. The Lodge and reconfigured base area strive to create connectivity between Government Camp and Timberline, and create a strong sense of arrival to Mt. Hood.
Source: R.L.K. and Company