Summer in the Oregon Mountains

July 23, 2007

I have been blogging all winter/spring about what to do in the Oregon Mountains...well it's summer and there is still plenty of fun to be had in the beautiful white-capped Oregon Mountains (and surrounding areas)!

Oregon astounds me sometimes.

It is a place that always seems to keep me smiling. Every time I visit a new area, I think: I have been in Oregon for 10 years, and this is the first time I have been here? What have I been doing all of this time?

There are hidden gems in every valley, on every mountain top and in every small town you have never traveled through. (This photo to the left was taken at one of the beautiful sections from the Alpine Trail outside of Oakridge, OR.) Get out a map of Oregon, highlight every route and every community you have visited or traveled through. See all of the roads and places that aren’t highlighted? Plan a trip there. One at a time, as I am sure your wish list is too comprehensive to do all at once (I know mine is)! Visit TravelOregon's website and get a glimpse of what you have been missing, then pack the car and take a road trip.

You will be amazed at what you find out there.

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Oregon Ski Areas Honored with National Awards

May 23, 2007

Sustainability and creating authentic experiences for customers are two hallmarks of Oregon's ski/snowboarding areas. We are thrilled to say that two of our very own resorts (Mt. Hood Meadows and Mt. Ashland) were recently recognized by their peers as industry leaders.

The awards were presented at the National Ski Area Association's (NSAA) Annual Convention. This convention is a meeting place for the ski areas and related businesses to discuss industry news and events, show respect to the areas that have pushed the envelope and give a pat on the back to the areas that have done certain things “right” over the year and throughout the years.

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Oregon-April Powder Day

April 17, 2007

April 10, 2007

Have you ever experienced an epic powder day as late as April in the United States of America?

If not, you need to plan a Spring trip to Oregon! April 10, 2007 was one of those epic days on Mt. Hood. With over 10 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, I hope your reading this and remembering your turns!!

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Skiing Central Oregon - Road Trip!!

March 22, 2007

Skiing Central Oregon - ROAD TRIP!!
3 Days, 3 ski areas

The three ski areas in Central Oregon (Mt. Bachelor, Willamette Pass and Hoodoo Ski Areas) make for a perfect long weekend road trip. They are approximately 65 - 75 miles apart from each other, and together offer a wide range of skiing terrain, friendly employees and spectacular views; from the lifts, ski trails and on the drives to and from each area.

First stop was Mt. Bachelor and the Bend, Oregon area.

Day 1: Mt. Bachelor
Friday, March 16, 2007
Portland to Mt. Bachelor - 180 miles

This would be my first sunny day skiing/riding at Mt. Bachelor (3,683 total acres), meaning my first day to take in the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and my first day to ride the Summit lift that gives skiers and riders access to the highest point at the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area (9,065 foot elevation), with a total vertical drop of 3,365 feet.

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Spring skiing and riding in Oregon

March 5, 2007

It’s March, and once again we are sittin’ pretty with deep snowpacks and new snow in the forecast. The latest storms dropped over five feet of new snow at some of our Oregon Ski Areas, giving us the thick snow bases we will use to ski and ride well into April at most areas, and throughout the entire summer on Mt. Hood!

Spring skiing and riding has given me some of my best experiences and memories in the Oregon Mountains. From the sunny, smiley faces in the parks to laying down fast cruisers, to riding light, knee-deep snow in April; all of it happens throughout spring in Oregon and I am excited!!

Spring also brings many great events, competitions and celebrations to our ski areas, giving all of us fun reasons to head uphill. Here are some suggestions:


Screamin' Tele Lizard Classic
Mt. Ashland, March 10, 2007
Includes two giant slalom runs with a tele-twist for all ski levels. Contestants are judged on costume creativity (Abe Lincoln, Nordic Viking, Elvis), big air and speed. And it's all in the name of telemark skiing. For more information: www.mtashland.com or 541.482.2897.

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Nordic Skiing and the Team Oregon in the International Snow Sculpting Contest

February 22, 2007

I have only Nordic (Cross Country) skied a handful of times, but each time brings more fun and enjoyment than the last. From learning new techniques to learning to navigate every turn and twist is an added joy to my life.

It’s not like you get a chair to sit down on and ride up a hill, so you can just glide and enjoy the downhill rush. It does involve work…well, it is as much work as you put into it. And there is a rush, a huge rush, especially if you have never tried.

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3 ski areas | 3 days | 888 miles (from Portland, OR)

January 24, 2007

That is correct – 888 miles for 3 ski areas in Northeast Oregon. The trip started in Portland. The first stop was Friday night skiing / riding at Spout Springs, then Saturday morning at Ski Anthony Lakes, then over to Ferguson Ridge in the Wallowa Mountains Sunday, and back to Portland, OR Sunday night.

The open spaces of Northeast Oregon can be a hindrance and a thing of beauty, all at the same time. Right now, I must give thanks for the drives that lead from small town to small town, on endless stretches of concrete. Without those roads, I would have missed a lot of places that I have been, and I would not have been able to take the trip I took this past weekend.

I headed east on I-84, from Portland to La Grande, a mere 256 mile stretch that transported me from the west side of Oregon to the east side. It is very possible that the east side of Oregon is unchartered territory for a few of you. If this is true, you should plan a trip right now. Check out the Eastern Oregon Visitor’s Center website.

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Meadows Opening Day 2006

December 11, 2006

Saturday December 9, 2006: Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area
Snow Quality: 10, because there was fresh snow on Opening Day!!!

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area is located on the SE side of Mt. Hood; from Government Camp, go east on 26 / north on Hwy 35 for 10 miles; 35 miles on Hwy 35, from I-84 (Exit 64) in Hood River, OR. (Pssssst...did you know we're giving away ski weekend to Meadows this month?!)

Opening Day at a ski area is something special. The lodge is bustling with smiles and energy. Everyone is eager to get loaded on a lift and start sliding and gliding down the mountain. Season Pass holders get to realize their fall investment and can start their expectations of what is to come. Employees realize their roles and how fun everything is going to be, including meeting new people and getting to enjoy the excitement and energy flowing throughout the entire ski area.

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Powder and Sunshine at Ski Anthony Lakes

December 5, 2006

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, December 1, 2 & 3, 2006
Snow Quality: 8 (1-10, 10 being perfect)

Ski Anthony Lakes is located 19 miles west of North Powder, Oregon; in the Elkhorn Mountain Range of the Blue Mountains in NE Oregon.


I got out of Portland about 2 pm on Friday, December 1. I was very excited about this trip, as this past week the Pacific Northwest received some great snow, falling in the low 20’s and teens across the state. The snow blanketed the scenery in low elevations, which would make the 300 mile drive out east much easier. Ice crystals hung on the walls to my right as I drove east on I-84, and all I could think about were the fresh turns waiting for me at Ski Anthony Lakes in NE Oregon!

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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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