Mt. Hood, OR – “Meadows After Dark” night skiing and riding kicked off for the season on Friday at Oregon’s Mt. Hood Meadows. Meadows offers 140 acres of illuminated runs for night riding until 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the winter season.

Meadows also operates restaurants, the ski and snowboard equipment rental center and its retail shops during night skiing hours.

Nighttime riding offers a chance to explore and discover Meadows in a whole new light. Meadows After Dark also offers affordable lift tickets and learn to ski and snowboard packages, as well as discounts for families.

Evening lift passes good from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. cost $30. A 5 Time Night Pass is also available for $89, or a whole season pass for night riding costs $129.

Adult evening group lessons start at 4 p.m.and 6:30 p.m. Private lessons are also available including the Late Bird two-hour special for $135 (normally the cost is $165).  Learn to ski packages for riders 13 or older include a Buttercup lift ticket, a two-hour lesson and rentals cost $35, or $79 for three visits.

Also, Park & Ride – Mt. Hood Meadows’ weekend and holiday shuttle service from Portland to the resort – launches this weekend, offering round-trip service both Saturday and Sunday and continuing on weekends and holidays through to March. The 55 passenger luxury motorcoach (yes, it has a bathroom) picks up in Tualatin, Beaverton and Gateway between 6:45 and 7:30 a.m., delivering passengers to the mountain right around the time the lifts open. The return is scheduled at 4 p.m., giving passengers a full day on the slopes.

Seats are reserved and purchased through the resort website www.SkiHood.com. Prices range from $89 for an adult lift ticket and bus, to $30 for the bus only. Junior rates and beginner packages including the bus fare are also available.