Feeling cooped up this winter? Cabin fever driving you stir crazy?
One of the best parts of living in the Pacific Northwest is being within a day's drive to nearly any climate. The grey rainy days of the winter months can start to get anyone down. Luckily, there are many options for places to visit and things to do to cure those rainy day blues.
Snowy Destinations
The Pacific Northwest has some of the best availability of winter sports and activities. You can find ski lifts on Mt. Hood, Mt Rainier and Mt. Bachelor to name a few. Most of our mountain roads are regularly plowed and there are parking lots available to safely park your vehicle.
Mt. Hood, just a 2 hour drive from Portland, has 3 different ski parks to choose from as well as many other winter activities. Take the family sledding at Government Camp on Mt. Hood. Walk or snowshoe down to Trillium lake on a groomed trail. There's even a trail around the lake for those who want a longer adventure.
Mt. Bachelor has some of the most pristine skiing in the area and the incredible Sun-River Resort nestled in the foothills. You can take a horse drawn sleigh ride or spend an afternoon in the forest on a dogsled.
Another great snowy destination is the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington. It is lit up for the holidays with over a million lights. Inner tubing, sledding and cross country skiing are other favorite winter activities for this picturesque town.
Hot Springs
Washington and Oregon have some of the most accessible hot springs in the country. These geothermally heated pools are warm enough to enjoy even in the winter.Bagby hot spring is the closest to Portland with different vessels and pools to relax in. A little further south you’ll find Paulina lake with pools all around the shores. You can dig out your own personal soaking pool in the sand of the banks and take in the beautiful scenery all around you.
If you prefer a more structured and maintained experience, head over to the Carson Hot Spring Resort and enjoy their indoor mineral water fed bath house built in the 1930s and beautifully cared for.
