Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland

Fireworks at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, courtesy of MtHoodTerritory.com

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter — especially when you take a peek at the peak of Mount Hood on Portland’s horizon. Just a 90-minute drive from the downtown, the mountain sits right in the city’s backyard and makes for a heck of a winter playground. In fact, there are a number of different ways to enjoy Mount Hood’s wonderland of snow.

For skiing and snowboarding, Mount Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood Ski Bowl and Timberline can’t be beat. Meadows, with 11 lifts, 85 runs and a three-mile stretch of uninterrupted downhill, has a trail for every level of skier. Ski Bowl, with the largest night ski area in the country, keeps snow-hungry riders shushing for hours. And Timberline, a national historic landmark, is as popular for its relaxing lodge as for its runs. (more…)

A couple of weeks ago, I had a perfect day. I joined an all-day snowshoe tour with Pedal Bike Tours, which took us from downtown Portland up to Timberline for about an hour of downhill snowshoeing through some gorgeous and varied terrain, followed by a ski-lift ride up the mountain (what a view!), and a lavish lunch in the Cascade Dining Room at Timberline Lodge (freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and caramel ice cream!). The sky was bright blue and the air was about 40 degrees. It was amazing and the best part: I didn’t have to worry about, or pack, a thing — the tour took care of the drive, the snowshoes and lunch. It was fabulous.

The group with Todd from Pedal Bike Tours and Timberline Lodge in the background

Timberline Lodge is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, which makes it an excellent time to visit this national landmark. If you want to stay over (highly recommended), Timberline’s offering a lodging deal for $75 for a second night’s stay in a queen room.

All year down in Portland we look up at Mount Hood’s beautiful snowy peak. In the wintertime it’s at its brightest, covered in a blanket of powder. Of course there’s skiing and snowboarding for all of you speed demons, but snowshoeing is such a peaceful way to spend time with friends on the mountain with minimal gear, and not very much cost. You can rent snowshoes in Portland at the Mountain Shop for $10 for two days, if you’re an adventurer who wants to explore on your own. Pedal Bike Tours has recently started to up the ante with their snowshoe tours that leave from downtown Portland for a day on the mountain, including a decadent lunch at Timberline Lodge.

Whether you visit Mount Hood on your own or with a group, stopping at Timberline for a warm beverage is a must. The historic landmark is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012. In celebration, they’re offering a deal of $75 for a second night’s stay in a queen room from January to May.

Photo by Allison Park, via Flickr

As the holidays approach, the grocery store aisles and bar taps around Portland welcome full-bodied seasonal ales to help weather the cold winter months. This year, Widmer Brothers Brewing is back with its BRRR Seasonal Ale and BridgePort Brewing Company will help cure any bah-humbug tendencies with their Ebenezer Ale.

For those looking to sample seasonal ales not sold in stores, Portland’s annual Holiday Ale Fest offers dozens of brews created solely for the festival. Considered the premier winter beer-tasting event on the West Coast, the 16th annual festival will feature beers from more than 40 breweries Nov. 30 through Dec.4, 2011, in Pioneer Courthouse Square. A heated, clear-top tent keeps attendees cozy while allowing for holiday light-viewing in the heart of the city. And, plenty of holiday shopping and dining options are located on adjacent blocks. The festival website features a full list of breweries and their 2011 submissions, ranging from Belgians and barley wines to porters and stouts.

Mt. Hood from the approach on Hwy. 26

When you’re driving up to a mountain, seeing its bright peak pop up in the distance is one of the most exhilarating feelings. Anticipating what you’ll find there is part of the fun, because a winter-white landscape can be so refreshing to the body and spirit during the grayest part of the year. Whether you are someone who feels the need for speed — downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or sledding – or prefer the peace of quiet forest trails and cozy lodges, Mount Hood has a world of fun waiting only about an hour and a half from Portland. (more…)