Whether you live in Oregon, or are planning on traveling to the Beaver State, there are lots of fantastic destinations to enjoy during the winter. From snow-covered mountain slopes to the rugged coast, these options are ideal.
Mount Hood
Mount Hood is one of the most popular places to be in the winter, and it’s less than a two-hour drive from Portland. It hosts five ski areas, including Mount Hood Ski Bowl, Summit Ski Area, Timberline Ski Area, Mount Hood Meadows, and Cooper Spur Ski Resort. There are also miles of cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails, plus, two of its snow-parks provide trails for snowmobiling.
Timberland Lodge, a National Historic Landmark that sits at the halfway point on Mount Hood, offering jaw-dropping close-up views of the famous peak, makes for an ideal base, including providing access to the year-round ski area. During the peak of winter, the ground floor is usually buried in snow, so guests get through by entering a snow tunnel.
The Oregon Coast
No matter where you go on the Oregon Coast, winter is an ideal time for storm watching, with wild winds and crashing waves enjoyed from the comfort of oceanfront rooms, while cozying up to the warmth of a fireplace. When the weather is more calm between mid-December and mid-January, you might even catch a glimpse of a gray whale passing by during the annual migration. The high tides and storms that frequently bring both natural and manmade treasures, including the occasional vintage, glass-blown fishing net floats, make the coast great for beach combing too.
Bend
Bend is a haven for snow sports, with mountains to the west and an annual snowfall that’s measured in feet. Mount Bachelor Ski Resort is the big attraction here, offering downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowboarding. After a day out on the slopes, you can enjoy the town’s increasingly popular brew scene – it’s so good, some refer to Bend as “Beer City, U.S.A.”
