I would like to break up my rating into categories...

I would like to break up my rating into categories.

SKI SCHOOL= 1 star because of slow pace of organizing, assessing, getting to the lift, lines at the lift and more assessing before finally getting to the part where the instructor is giving an actual lesson. The investment of a 2 hour lesson for 20 minutes of useful instruction is not a good ratio. The instructors= 4 stars (two lessons by two instructors of 2 hours each) were very good. I would give 5 stars if they could have moved the pace along faster.

SOUTH SIDE PASS= 5 stars for value. I would give 6 out of 5 because the value is that good. The South Side pass includes rentals. We bring our own food that we heat for free in the microwave and eat in the common eating area. Got to watch football on the TV while we rested up. Each trip costs us just gas money, insurance on the skis (4 bucks each) food we bring and a hotel in Hood River if we choose to stay the night. Best. Deal. Ever. Did I mention it also includes the rentals?
Speaking of rentals...

RENTAL SERVICE=4 stars. I would give 5 because of quality of customer service, but here is the thing: The rental area needs a better system for how to direct traffic and how to move more people through faster. There are lockers in the rental area. People who have rented lockers there need to pass through the rental line to get to their lockers. This creates confusion and blurs the line for who is in line and who is passing through, leading to line cutting and confusion. There are no arrows for pathways, no signs to explain the process of renting, no people in charge to direct the public. It is almost great, but can be a disaster if you don't know what you are doing. We have developed a system that takes rental time from two hours down to just over 30 minutes by knowing the system and working it. Great for us, but not so good for other tourists who are there for the first time.

THE SLOPES AND LIFTS: 5 stars. Word to the wise: Avoid the Buttercup lift. Use Daisy. Buttercup is used by the schools and is backed up horribly. Daisy avoids the backup and you can get to the same upper lifts by using Daisy. I have never seen a line at Daisy. Vista is fast and has great views, hence the name. Bring your camera! Easy Rider is awesome...the slopes are fantastic.

MT HOOD HOSPITAL= 5 stars. We had our share of falls, and out of concern we went to the onsite hospital. Fully staffed, all the needed equipment, professional and they offered first aid for free! We opted for a consult with the Dr. and x-ray. Our insurance treated it as an urgent care visit and covered it all.

THE LODGE= 5 stars. All the gear you need, great customer service in all the shops, enough seating to handle everyone on a very busy weekend, clean restrooms with lockers and a dryer to dry your wet gear. I do suggest getting more dryers as they are in constant use. In fact, a laundry would be pretty awesome somewhere onsite to wash coats ect so they are fresh after a long lunch.

In conclusion, I suggest a visitor be proactive in asking questions and challenging employees to make sure you are in the right place for what you need early and often. This will save you time and frustration. I suggest the lodge make some signs that explain the rental process at each station and paint arrows on the floor to direct traffic. Put in at least two more manned rental stations to handle peak traffic. There is room. Two more ski outfit stations as well.