With the first snowfall making an appearance on Mt. Hood, it’s time to get the gears turning on planning your winter adventures. When dreaming up your next visit to Mt. Hood, consider Hood River as a base camp for all of your winter outings. Mt. Hood Meadows, one of Mt. Hood’s three ski resorts, is only 40 minutes away from downtown Hood River and offers up great mid-week deals. Or, if you’re up for trying something other than skiing or snowboarding, there’s a plethora of other activities to check out in and around the area.
Snow Fun
Mt. Hood Territory has more to offer than great terrain for skiers and snowboarders. There are amazing cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails as well as thrilling tubing parks.
Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing: Many of the best trails in the Mt. Hood National Forest visited in the summer and fall transform into gorgeous snowshoeing journeys in the winter and spring. The Forest Service has a great checklist for where to go and what to bring. If you’re looking to take it up a notch, try these trails on cross country skis. It’s an amazing way to see the landscape up close, along with getting a great workout outdoors.
Tubing: Great for both kids and kids at heart, tubing is the perfect day trip from Hood River. SkiBowl’s Snowtubing and Adventure Park offers a full day of fun sliding down the mountain. Or, head out on a night excursion for the unique experience of Cosmic Tubing. That’s right, sledding with lasers, black lights, and fun music.
Aprés Snow Fun: Once you’re done for the day, make the easy drive back to Hood River to warm your bones with delightful seasonal beverages and farm-to-table treats. If you’re looking for something warm and soothing, try Kainos Coffee or River Daze Cafe for a latte, apple cider, or hot chocolate and a baked treat. After some local brews instead? Trundle over to pFreim, Freebridge Brewing or Ferment Brewing. Worked up an appetite on the mountain? Take yourself to dinner at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza or Sixth Street Bistro.
How to get there?
Leave the driving to someone else! There are some great alternative transportation options for you, your friends, and your family this winter. From shuttles and buses, to scenic train rides, we have it all. Check out our transportation page for more ideas.
