Hubby/I are going to Portland mainly to check out different areas to live. What is a nice inexpensive place to stay? Motel? What is the weather like? Does it snow in Portland? If not, what areas does it snow and where can
I take beginning cross country ski lessons? What about hiking? Can that be done that time
of year? All suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Try the Mallory Hotel. It's an older hotel but clean and centrally located downtown, with inexpensive rates. Usually it doesn't snow in Portland. However, Mt. Hood is just a short distance NE of the city and they get plenty of snow. I know they have downhill skiing and I would imagine they have cross-country as well. You can hike year round at lower elevations, such as out on the Oregon coast and at the waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge.

I second the Mallory. It's got a great location and it's a 5 minute walk or shorter (if you take light rail) to the heart of the downtown, which is one of the best in the country.

Hiking is generally not a year-round activity because of the rain and cooler weather in the winter months. It is possible during the winter, but you just have to dress for it. It's a different experience in the winter, still very nice, but you won't have to worry about the heat!

Also try the Mark Spencer, a residential hotel. They've upgraded it recently. Close to Powells, the city's great bookstore.

Gets cold in the winter and usually snows once or twice, but not for long. The ocean is two hours east, the mountains, two hours west. Lots of great hiking trails in the city and in the gorge. Very active hiking and running community.

All of the above responses seem to assume you mean Portland, Oregon.
You don't by chance mean Portland, Maine do you??