A ski safari to beat all others.
What could be better than a road trip between ski towns? How about when that road trip is in Oregon, USA!
Portland
Set against the backdrop of snow-capped Mt. Hood, your adventure begins in the vibrant city of Portland. Oregon has no sales tax and Portland offers the state’s best shops for gear, from big-name brands and local outfitters. With 75 breweries and counting — more than any other city on Earth — it’s no wonder Portland is nicknamed “Beervana.” Additionally, Portland’s dining scene won’t let you down. Indulge in one of the country’s most celebrated food destinations loaded with farm-to-table dining and award-winning chefs. The city offers thriving live music and comedy scenes, the full range of performing arts, and ample bars and nightclubs. Spend a few days here and add some city flavor to your mountain trip.
Mt. Hood
Just 90 minutes down the road is Mt. Hood, a dormant volcano that at 3,427 metres, is the tallest peak in Oregon. Located on the south slope stands Timberline Lodge & Ski Area which boasts the Pacific Northwest’s largest vertical terrain with 1,125 metres and some of the state’s most scenic skiing. Constructed in 1937, Timberline is the only ski-in, ski-out lodge in Oregon and this beautiful National Historic Landmark is still being used for its original intent – a magnificent ski lodge and mountain retreat for everyone to enjoy. For a true Oregon experience, take the Palmer snowcat towards the peak for untracked skiing then stop for tacos mid-mountain at Phlox Point Cabin.
When you’re not hitting the slopes, play with Heidi and Bruno, the resident St. Bernards, tour the lodge museum, sip on a beer from Mt. Hood Brewing or toast some s’mores around the fire. Timberline also has North America’s longest ski season with four-season skiing on the Palmer Snowfield.
Your day of skiing doesn’t need to end just because the sun sets. Head 15 minutes from Timberline and you’ll be at Mt. Hood Skibowl which, with 34 fully lit runs, is the largest night ski area in the United States. Or try Cosmic Tubing which is the best party on the mountain. Enjoy more than 600,000 LED lights, laser light shows, black lights, colored lights and rocking music all while tubing. And don’t bother walking up the hill with that big tube, just jump on Mt. Hood's only conveyor lifts dedicated to tubing, and relax all the way to the top. Great fun for the whole family, including kids!
For a pampered experience head 15 minutes to The Resort at the Mountain which is the premier resort destination on Mt. Hood. Wonderfully secluded, yet easily reachable, The Resort offers boundless amenities including a sparkling outdoor pool heated to perfection during the winter, a full-service spa combining natural elements found in mountain flora and a year-round 27-hole golf course. Spend a day of “ski and tee” where you ski in the morning and play golf in the afternoon.
The next morning drive just 40 minutes to Mt. Hood Meadows. Click into your skis and prepare to ski the same volcano, just on the other side. With 870 hectares to explore, Meadows offers some of the most spectacular skiing in the Pacific Northwest. The wide-open terrain of the Cascade Express Lift offers incredible panoramic views half-way across Oregon. Meadows is a big mountain experience, with plenty of acreage to keep you busy for days, and enough character that you will remember your time on these trails.
Bend
The drive from Mt. Hood Meadows to Bend takes just over three hours. Pack your camera and stop at Smith Rock for breath taking views or look towards the Cascade Mountain Range.
Welcome to Bend! A warm, inviting mountain getaway with a cosmopolitan appeal. Majestic, snow-capped peaks adorn the high-desert skyline, making for some of the best weather in Oregon — think sun-drenched days and cool nights — along with endless options for plenty of play time with friends or family. Playing in the Cascades, hiking, mountain biking, or standup paddle boarding are just a few of the outdoor adventures you can tackle in a weekend or a week.
Mt. Bachelor
In just 30 minutes from downtown Bend via Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway you will arrive at Mt. Bachelor. A dormant volcano that was first formed between 11,000 and 15,000 years ago, Mt. Bachelor is a true giant that reaches high into the Oregon sky. With activities as diverse as dog sledding, Nordic skiing, and tubing, there is a winter adventure waiting for the whole family. The dry climate of Central Oregon assures that the 1,173 cm of annual snowfall on Mount Bachelor is light and fluffy, perfect for carving flawless S turns or learning to ski or snowboard. The resort offers over 1,740 hectares of terrain, 1,025 meters of vertical drop and almost 100 runs ranging from double black diamonds to easy green runs for first-timers.
Don’t want your Oregon road trip to end? Enhance your ski vacation with an unforgettable adventure such as snowshoeing the rim of breathtaking Crater Lake National Park, visiting the award-winning wineries of the Willamette Valley or storm watching on the rugged Oregon Coast. With so many options, you’ll want to spend another week!
We recommend a minimum of 10 nights to make the most of Oregon, 2 nights in Portland, 4 nights at Mt. Hood and 4 nights in Bend, close to Mt. Bachelor.
