Mt. Hood Meadows: Where the Mountain Works Together
Mt. Hood Meadows isn’t loud. It’s steady. It doesn’t need to shout for attention. The mountain speaks through the way it runs — quietly, collectively, and with a pin worn proudly by staff and CEO alike that reads: “Everybody Shovels.”
Connection, Not Conglomeration
In an era of ski resort consolidation, Meadows stays independent and intentional. And after nearly 60 years, it still runs like a family business because it is one. No bureaucracy or red tape. No corporate mandates. Every decision is rooted in stewardship, not shareholders. And every guest interaction is personal.
That same sense of care shows up everywhere: in the way teams are trained, how returning staff are welcomed, and how the mountain continues to evolve without losing its soul.
Meadows invests like it always has, thoughtfully, sustainably, and with the long view in mind.
Matthew Drake, Meadows’ owner and the son of one of the founders, grew up greeting guests with hot cocoa alongside his sister, and still carries that early sense of gratitude. It ripples across the resort, from the parking lot to the peak. Whether you’re a first-time rider or a longtime passholder, the vibe is the same: we’re glad you’re here.
A Mountain That Remembers
At Meadows, retention isn’t a buzzword. It’s a tradition. While many ski areas rebuild teams each winter, this mountain keeps its people. Those people, they continue to build something better.
Barbara Gerhardt is one of them. She began in the ’90s, serving food out of the Alpenstube cafe, lovingly referred to as “The Stube.” Today, she oversees Guest Services and manages Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, Meadows’ sister resort. Over the years, she’s watched kids grow up on these slopes, including her own nephew, and now hires the children of former coworkers. It’s the kind of place where one generation hands off to the next without skipping a beat.
Meadows has helped shape the lives of many in the Hood River Valley. It’s where students find their first jobs, where families spend weekends, and where life-long careers quietly take shape. With high standards and deep roots, the mountain becomes part of people’s stories.
The Work Is the Culture
Greg Pack, Meadows’ CEO, has spent decades in ski-area management across the Rockies and the Northeast. But when he landed in Oregon, he quickly saw what makes this mountain different.
With a maritime snowpack, wild temperature swings, rime ice, and rapid freeze-thaw cycles, Meadows doesn’t operate on autopilot. Keeping lifts spinning and terrain open is a round-the-clock effort. But Pack doesn’t just manage it, he’s boots on the ground. You’ll find him shoveling steps, bumping chairs, driving snowcats, or loading gear in the parking lot. He leads by example, and here, that matters.
Titles take a backseat to teamwork. From operations to food and beverage, and from ski school to retail, everyone shows up. Everyone shovels. Because when the mountain is moving, no one stands still.
That’s what makes Mt. Hood Meadows feel alive. Not just the terrain, but the people. The legacy. The deep-rooted, high-elevation ethos that says, no matter your title or tenure, you belong.
Learn more about Mt. Hood Meadows and visit their website at skihood.com