EV Charging at Pacific Northwest Ski Resorts: Complete Guide

The first time I drove my EV to Mt Hood, I didn't trust the range. I charged on the way up and the way back down, white-knuckling the battery percentage the whole time. After a few more trips, I realized something: Portland to Meadows is about 70 miles one way. Even with elevation gain and cold weather cutting into range, most modern EVs handle the round trip on a single charge without breaking a sweat.

The chargers along US-26 and at the resorts are nice insurance - SkiBowl even has a DC fast charger right on the mountain - but after a season of driving up, you'll stop worrying about them.

That said, not every resort is as convenient as Hood. If you're driving from Seattle to Crystal Mountain, or making the haul from Portland to Mt Bachelor, the math gets tighter.

What You're Dealing With

Mountain driving in winter hits EV range from multiple angles:

• Cold temperatures knock 20-40% off your rated range
• Elevation gain eats energy on the way up (you get some back on the descent, but not all of it)
• Highway speeds on I-84 or I-90 are less efficient than city driving
• Charging infrastructure thins out once you leave the metro areas

None of this is a dealbreaker. It just means you should know the numbers before you head up.

Oregon Ski Resorts: EV Charging Guide

Mt Hood Meadows

Distance from Portland: 56 miles (1h 15m) Elevation gain: 3,500 ft Charging at the resort: No (nearest: Mt Hood Village or Government Camp) Nearest charging stations:

• Mt Hood Village (15 min away): 2x DCFC (150 kW), 4x L2 (6.6 kW)
• Government Camp (20 min away): 2x DCFC (50 kW), 2x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi (city) 150-175 mi (mountain)
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi (city) 160-190 mi (mountain)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi (city) 130-155 mi (mountain)

Tips for Charging

• Pre-condition your battery while driving (use seat heaters to save range).
• Charge in Hood River (30 min from the resort) if you're running low-it's a scenic stop with 4x DCFC (350 kW).
• Check PlugShare for real-time availability (Government Camp chargers can get busy).

Timberline Lodge

Distance from Portland: 59 miles (1h 20m) Elevation gain: 4,000 ft Charging at the resort: No (nearest: Government Camp) Nearest charging stations:

• Government Camp (5 min away): 2x DCFC (50 kW), 2x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 140-165 mi
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 150-180 mi
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 120-145 mi

Tips for Charging

• Timberline's parking lot is small-arrive early to snag a spot near the Government Camp chargers.
• Bring chains (required on US-26 in winter) and traction tires-the road to Timberline is steep and icy.
• Charge overnight at your hotel if staying in Government Camp (some lodges have L2 chargers).

SkiBowl (Government Camp)

Distance from Portland: 53 miles (1h 10m) Elevation gain: 3,200 ft Charging at the resort: Yes — DCFC on-mountain plus L2 chargers in the main lot Nearest additional charging: Government Camp (walking distance)

SkiBowl is the standout here. It's the only PNW ski resort with a DC fast charger right on the mountain. Plug in when you arrive, and you'll have a full battery by the time you're done skiing. That's a big deal if you're making the round trip from Portland.

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi rated, 155-180 mi mountain round trip
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi rated, 165-195 mi mountain round trip
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi rated, 135-160 mi mountain round trip

Tips

• The DCFC can get you to 80% in 15-20 minutes. Plug in, grab coffee at the lodge.
• L2 chargers work well if you're skiing all day — slow but steady top-off.
• Government Camp is walking distance if the on-mountain charger is occupied.

Mt Bachelor

Distance from Bend: 22 miles (30m) Distance from Portland: 200 miles (4h) Elevation gain: 3,000 ft (from Bend) Charging at the resort: No (nearest: Bend or Sunriver) Nearest charging stations:

• Bend (30 min away): 8x DCFC (150-350 kW), 12x L2 (6.6-11 kW)
• Sunriver (20 min away): 4x DCFC (50-150 kW), 6x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 120-145 mi (Portland round trip)
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 130-160 mi (Portland round trip)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 100-125 mi (Portland round trip)

Tips for Charging

• Mt Bachelor is a long drive from Portland-plan a mid-trip charge in Sisters or Redmond.
• Charge overnight in Bend (many hotels have L2 chargers).
• Check road conditions (US-20 can close in heavy snow-have a backup route).

Mt Ashland

Distance from Ashland: 18 miles (30m) Distance from Portland: 290 miles (5h) Elevation gain: 3,800 ft Charging at the resort: No (nearest: Ashland or Medford) Nearest charging stations:

• Ashland (20 min away): 4x DCFC (50-150 kW), 6x L2 (6.6 kW)
• Medford (30 min away): 6x DCFC (150-350 kW), 10x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 110-135 mi (Portland round trip)
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 120-150 mi (Portland round trip)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 90-115 mi (Portland round trip)

Tips for Charging

• Mt Ashland is remote-charge fully in Medford or Ashland before heading up.
• I-5 can get icy-bring chains and drive cautiously.
• Check Siskiyou Summit road conditions (OR-66 can close in heavy snow).

Washington Ski Resorts: EV Charging Guide

Crystal Mountain

Distance from Seattle: 83 miles (2h) Elevation gain: 3,100 ft Charging at the resort: Yes (2x L2 (6.6 kW) in the main lot) Nearest DCFC: Enumclaw (30 min away)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 140-165 mi
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 150-180 mi
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 120-145 mi

Tips for Charging

• Crystal's L2 chargers are slow-best for topping off while you ski.
• Charge in Enumclaw (4x DCFC (150 kW)) if you're running low.
• Check WSDOT cameras for I-90 road conditions (chain requirements are common).

Stevens Pass

Distance from Seattle: 85 miles (2h) Elevation gain: 3,700 ft Charging at the resort: No (nearest: Skykomish or Leavenworth) Nearest charging stations:

• Skykomish (20 min away): 2x L2 (6.6 kW)
• Leavenworth (30 min away): 4x DCFC (50-150 kW), 4x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 130-155 mi
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 140-170 mi
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 110-135 mi

Tips for Charging

• Stevens Pass is remote-charge fully in Leavenworth before heading up.
• US-2 can close suddenly-check WSDOT alerts before driving.
• Bring chains (required on US-2 in winter).

Snoqualmie Pass

Distance from Seattle: 50 miles (1h) Elevation gain: 2,500 ft Charging at the resort: No (nearest: North Bend or Snoqualmie) Nearest charging stations:

• North Bend (20 min away): 4x DCFC (150 kW), 6x L2 (6.6 kW)
• Snoqualmie (15 min away): 2x DCFC (50 kW), 4x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 160-185 mi
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 170-200 mi
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 140-165 mi

Tips for Charging

• Charge in North Bend (outlet mall has 4x DCFC).
• I-90 is busy on weekends-arrive early to avoid traffic.
• Check Snoqualmie Pass road conditions (chain requirements are common).

Mt Baker

Distance from Bellingham: 58 miles (1h 30m) Distance from Seattle: 115 miles (2h 30m) Elevation gain: 4,200 ft Charging at the resort: No (nearest: Glacier or Bellingham) Nearest charging stations:

• Glacier (20 min away): 2x L2 (6.6 kW)
• Bellingham (45 min away): 6x DCFC (150-350 kW), 10x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 120-145 mi (Seattle round trip)
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 130-160 mi (Seattle round trip)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 100-125 mi (Seattle round trip)

Tips for Charging

• Mt Baker is remote-charge fully in Bellingham before heading up.
• WA-542 can close in heavy snow-check WSDOT alerts.
• Bring chains (required on WA-542 in winter).

White Pass

Distance from Seattle: 110 miles (2h 15m) Elevation gain: 3,500 ft Charging at the resort: No (nearest: Packwood or Morton) Nearest charging stations:

• Packwood (20 min away): 2x L2 (6.6 kW)
• Morton (30 min away): 2x DCFC (50 kW), 2x L2 (7.2 kW)

Winter Range Impact

• Tesla Model Y: 250 mi 130-155 mi
• Ford Mach-E: 270 mi 140-170 mi
• Hyundai Ioniq 5: 220 mi 110-135 mi

Tips for Charging

• White Pass is remote-charge fully in Morton before heading up.
• US-12 can get icy-bring chains and drive cautiously.
• Check White Pass road conditions (closures are common in heavy snow).

Comparison Table: EV Charging at PNW Ski Resorts

| Resort | State | Distance from Portland | Distance from Seattle | Charging at Resort | Nearest DCFC | Elevation Gain | Winter Range Impact | |-------------------|-------------|------------------------|-----------------------|--------------------|------------------------|----------------|-----------------------| | Mt Hood Meadows | Oregon | 56 miles | N/A | No | Mt Hood Village (15m) | 3,500 ft | 30-40% loss | | Timberline Lodge | Oregon | 59 miles | N/A | No | Government Camp (5m) | 4,000 ft | 35-45% loss | | SkiBowl | Oregon | 53 miles | N/A | L2 (6.6 kW) | Government Camp (5m) | 3,200 ft | 25-35% loss | | Mt Bachelor | Oregon | 200 miles | N/A | No | Bend (30m) | 3,000 ft | 40-50% loss | | Mt Ashland | Oregon | 290 miles | N/A | No | Ashland (20m) | 3,800 ft | 45-55% loss | | Crystal Mountain | Washington | N/A | 83 miles | L2 (6.6 kW) | Enumclaw (30m) | 3,100 ft | 30-40% loss | | Stevens Pass | Washington | N/A | 85 miles | No | Leavenworth (30m) | 3,700 ft | 35-45% loss | | Snoqualmie Pass | Washington | N/A | 50 miles | No | North Bend (20m) | 2,500 ft | 20-30% loss | | Mt Baker | Washington | N/A | 115 miles | No | Bellingham (45m) | 4,200 ft | 40-50% loss | | White Pass | Washington | N/A | 110 miles | No | Morton (30m) | 3,500 ft | 35-45% loss |

Ski Trip Charging Checklist

Before you hit the road, make sure you:

Check your battery level (aim for 80%+ before leaving). Pre-condition your battery while still plugged in (warms the battery for better efficiency). Plan your charging stops (use PlugShare or A Better Routeplanner). Bring charging cables (L2 and DCFC adapters if needed). Pack winter gear (chains, traction tires, blankets, snacks). Check road conditions (ODOT TripCheck for Oregon, WSDOT for Washington). Download offline maps (cell service is spotty in the mountains). Charge overnight if staying at a hotel (many have L2 chargers). Monitor your range (cold weather + elevation = 30-50% range loss).

Bottom Line

Driving an EV to a ski resort in the Pacific Northwest is totally doable-but it requires planning. Here's what you need to know:

• Most resorts don't have chargers on-site (nearest DCFC is usually 15-30 minutes away).
• Cold weather + elevation = 30-50% range loss (plan accordingly).
• Charge in town before heading up (Bend, Leavenworth, Government Camp, etc.).
• Use PlugShare to find real-time charger availability (weekends get busy!).
• Bring chains and traction tires (required in winter for most mountain roads).

If you plan ahead, your EV can be a great ski trip companion-saving you money on gas and reducing your carbon footprint while you shred the slopes.

Author: Electric Cascades Date: 2026-02-05