The quest for powder on Skibowl

November 30, 2006

November 27, not even December yet, and there are 6 foot snow packs at a couple of the Oregon ski areas. A great start to 2006-07!

The drive up to Mt. Hood was one of the coldest and snowiest I have experienced in quite a long time, with snow sticking as low as Sandy. My friend and I knew we were in for a real treat! We pulled into the Mt. Hood Skibowl parking lot around 4 pm.

Skibowl reported 10” today (Monday) with temps in low 20’s. Saturday’s report was very similar (a bit warmer, 30 deg.) and Sunday’s report showed 6” of new snow with low temps…that’s 26” of snow in 3 days, with the last two days’ temps in the low 20’s…this is what Oregon winters are all bout!!

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What's new this year at Oregon's ski resorts?

November 29, 2006

Oregon's '06-07 ski season is here, and our 10 mountain resorts are celebrating what is to be an epic year. Beyond incredible conditions, skiers and boarders have many reasons to be excited, including a new high-speed quad, a two-resort pass and so much more...

We're ringing in the ski season with a whole lot of new, exciting additions and improvements at Oregon's mountain resorts. Here, a sampling...

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Girls Go Bend Weekend at Mt. Bachelor Village

November 28, 2006


I recently had the opportunity to spend an amazing weekend at Mt. Bachelor Village in Bend, Oregon. This particular trip was a result of a promotional package, called "Girls Go Bend". The details of this package were outstanding: accommodations for four women in a gorgeous condo overlooking the Deschutes River, spa treatments, a snowshoeing trip, and dinner at Merenda Restaurant

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Snowed-In? We’ve got some ideas!

BRRRRRRR! In case you haven’t looked outside lately, the temperature is rapidly dropping and the falling snow has cloaked Oregon's evergreen forests, prairies, high desert and...ahem…yes, even the beach...with an abundant dusting of powder!

This winter wonderland is the perfect destination for an action packed "snow day". So bundle up those kids from head to toe, pack up the picnic basket, and head outside…here are a few ideas that will surely cure your “cabin fever”

What you will need: A pile of well packed snow (courtesy of Mother Nature), warm dry clothes, warm dry boots, regular snow shovel (to cut large shapes), smaller beach shovel (for detail work), spoon (for fine details), spray bottle of water (optional).

What to do: You're never too old to relive your childhood and play in the snow! Use the next snowfall as an excuse to get creative with your kids. Here are some ideas to get you started:

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The Gift of Snow and the Exaltation of Trees

It’s a dark 6:00am and it’s raining. I’m walking Shaman, my Collie, who’s picking up routine scents like a morning roll call. We come across the old Noble Fir on our path – it’s literally in the path of the sidewalk, which by mason’s design has been respectfully curved around its massive trunk. This tree is more than 150 years old, as old as Oregon itself. Shaman stops abrupt, a sesquicentennial of squirrel tracks and critter squats punctuating the scent. The rain on his back is now a smattering of snow flakes and I whistle him back to our walk.

The morning’s drive to Forest Grove, West of Portland, is awash in white. Raised a Midwestern urbanite, I like to think I know snow. I’ve driven through blizzards and shoveled once, twice, three times in a day. As a kid, I remember holing up in blanket caves during chilly power outages, making snow angels and castles out of four-foot drifts, and praying for snow days with plotting abandon. The temporality of snow was my prairie child’s wish, and my city girl’s chore.

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Winter Driving & Playing Checklist

November 26, 2006

Weather: We strongly urge you to adequately prepare for inclement weather before you head out to play in the snow! Check weather conditions, view road and more with our partners TripCheck.com.

Emergency Kit: Also, if you're venturing far from home, AAA recommends the following list of 'must-haves' in case of emergencies. They include: a fully charged mobile phone; blankets or sleeping bags; a flashlight with extra batteries; first-aid kit; knife; drinking water; high-calorie non-perishable food; extra clothing; waterproof matches; sack of sand, cat litter, or traction mats; shovel; windshield scraper and brush; tool kit; tow rope; booster cables; compass and road maps; and emergency flares or reflectors.

Also, please check with Red Cross for tips on preparing a car emergency kit.

Sno-Park Permits: You must have a valid Sno-Park permit displayed in the windshield of your vehicle if you park in designated winter recreation parking areas (Sno-Parks) between November 15 and April 30. Sno-Parks are located in all mountain passes of the state and in most recognized ski, snowmobile, and snow play areas.

Permits are sold at all DMV offices and by permit agents in resorts, sporting goods stores, and other retail outlets. Agents are allowed to charge a service fee for each permit they sell.

All set? Find the snow...and ski or ride Oregon!

What's on tap this thanksgiving weekend in Oregon? Turkey, pinot noir, powder, and a civil war!

November 21, 2006

As the turkey thaws away in the fridge (one more day!) and the seemingly long pre-Thanksgiving work week draws to a close, I’m starting to drool with earnest anticipation about the prospects of the long weekend. Of course, the easy way out would be to give in to the unexplainable draw of the family couch and take in hours of pigskin action. But on second thought, with all the grazing I’ve already penciled in for Turkey Day, getting out there and “working out” might be better. Here are some cures for that post turkey hangover.

Thanksgiving in the wine country – What’s better than turkey? Pinor noir baby! Oregon's wineries are throwing open their doors this weekend. Festivities include tasting of new releases and older vintages, barrel tastings, specialty foods and sales of limited quantity wines. Some wineries have live music and some charge a tasting fee. Follow the following links for a listing of what’s going at area wineries in the: Portland Metro area, Willamette Valley, Central Oregon and Southern Oregon.

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The Quest for Immortality -- Treasures of Ancient Egypt at Portland Art Museum

November 16, 2006

I attended the preview of the Portland Art Museum’s newest exhibition, The Quest for Immortality -- Treasures of Ancient Egypt, and had lunch afterwards with Dr. Zahi Hawass, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Director of Excavations in Egypt. This was enough reason for me to brave I-5 between Salem and Portland, despite the blustery wind and rain. I was doubly excited about attending, as I missed the previous Egyptian exhibit entitled “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs”.

The parking fairy saved me a space within a block of the museum – nice! The tour began with a collection of old photographs taken in Egypt in the late 1800’s, which demonstrated how much the region has changed in modern times.

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Portland Named One of Top 10 Cities for Beer Lovers

November 13, 2006

We were stoked to find out this week that Shermans Travel and MSN named Portland one of the "Top 10 cities for beer lovers." Confirming what beer lovers in Oregon already knew, the article says: "In Portland, there are plenty of drafts to go around. Indeed, with 28 breweries based here – more per capita than any other city in the country – this Pacific Northwest city clearly boasts the motherload of American microbrews." (You can read the entire article at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15642039/)

Of course, good beer isn't limited to just Portland. Being the beer aficionados that we are, here are some of our local favorites from around the state (as picked by Travel Oregon staff and friends):

- Full Sail (Hood River): Named one of the top 20 breweries in the world - the independent and employee-owned Full Sail brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot on earth. Swing by the tasting room and sample their awarding winning brews, grab a bite to eat from the pub menu and soak up the view from the deck. (Suggested by: Kevin, Mo)

- Terminal Gravity (Enterprise): After a day exploring Hells Canyon, North America's deepest river gorge, head to this famed Eastern Oregon watering hole where hoppy IPA and refreshing stouts welcome you. (Suggested by: Karen V.)

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Inside Scoop: Snow is on the way!

November 9, 2006

Even though I’ve been sliding down mountains since I was three years old, I still turn into a kid every time my season pass arrives in the mail.

Each year I anxiously await the first big snowfall of the season. It’s this time of year I find myself day-dreaming about the epic days I’ve had, and the great experiences the mountains have given me. From the silent serenity in the aftermath of a big snow storm to the memories laughing with friends and family on warm spring day, the mountains have always provided me with something to look forward to.

This season is no exception. I recently caught up with Jerry Krieg, Director of Marketing for Ski Oregon, to ask him what we can expect for the upcoming season. Read what Jerry has to say about this year's Oregon ski season.

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What's Cooking in November?

November 7, 2006

With the last days of fall in the air, we’ve turned our sights toward the fun activities that cooler weather brings, from learning to ski or snowboard at Oregon’s 10 mountain resorts to crabbing on the Oregon coast.

This month also marks the continuation of our Oregon Bounty Celebration with a grand finale on Thanksgiving weekend, where dozens of wineries host open-house wine tasting events (and you’re invited!).

We’ve also got two fabulous thanksgiving recipes this month, a gorgeous road trip and of course the last chance to win an Oregon Bounty getaway.

Finally, with Thanksgiving around the corner, we’ve got a special treat for you --- an entire book of recipes for you to dazzle your friends with!

See you in Oregon this fall! ~ Emily & Mo (aka ''The Editors'')

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