Travel Oregon

Travel Oregon – What’s New –Winter 2014

Old Man Winter is good friends with Oregon. Across the state, the season translates to majestic storms on the Oregon Coast, copious amounts of snow in the mountains (fresh powder, anyone?) and prime conditions for flavorful truffles. And after a day of exploring, who doesn’t like to warm up in a cozy café or pub with a craft beverage? Winter fun won’t last long, so get out there!

A Wild Winter

West Coast trekkers are gearing up for a wild winter as Fox Searchlight Pictures releases Wild on Dec. 5. The big screen adaptation of Portland author Cheryl Strayed’s memoir of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail traverses the National Scenic Trail stretching from Mexico to Canada. Featuring Reese Witherspoon, the film’s true star may very well be the rugged, breathtaking beauty of the path as it scrambles along Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, with stops at the Columbia River Gorge and Crater Lake – two of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. For diehard fans, it’s not too difficult to get a taste of the trail without hoofing every one of its 2,663 miles. From moderate hikes starting at Cascade Locks or Timberline Lodge to more rugged stretches near scenic Crater Lake or Three Sisters, the trail offers panoramic views of Oregon’s natural wonders.

Stellar Storm Watching

Nature unleashes its power in swirling winds and sky-high waves up and down the People's Coast. The untamed beauty of riotous winter storms offers a new and exhilarating experience of the state's pristine beaches. And as with any Oregon adventure, there's more than one way to take in photo-worthy waves; from a comfortable perch at the Pelican Pub & Brewery in Pacific City to a cozy front row seat, wrapped in a blanket by the fire in your own Wintercation. Accommodations all along the coast offer tempting retreats and unobstructed views of nature's show.

Holiday Happenings

The holidays bring a touch of magic to any Oregon adventure: sleigh rides through Bend's Old Mill District among festive displays, gathering under Portland's holiday tree for the Holiday Ale Festival, and shopping artisan wares at Eugene Saturday Market's Holiday Market and Jingle Through Joseph. The enchanting glow of holiday lights delight all ages, and Zoo Lights, The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights, Shore Acres State Park, Seaside Parade of Lights, Timber Truckers Light Parade and Oregon Garden never disappoint. Communities in all corners of the state come together to celebrate the season, offering countless performances, ceremonies, festivals and markets to share the joy of Oregon in winter.

Nose to the Ground

At least that’s what canines of every shape and size are invited to partake in come January at the inaugural North American Truffle Dog Championship, The Joriad. Held Jan. 21 and 22 in Eugene and nearby forests, the competition adds a new dimension to the Oregon Truffle Festival. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival spans two weekends (Jan. 15-18 in Portland and Yamhill; Jan. 23-25 in Eugene) and serves as a celebration of the state’s elusive underground culinary treasure. Food and wine enthusiasts converge on Oregon for days of tastings, classes, demonstrations and truffle-themed dinners, as well as seminars on cultivation, foraging and harvesting. Dog lovers, rejoice! You don’t have to be a foodie to join the fun! 

Let it Snow

Temperatures are dropping, but that means snow levels are rising, and that has locals digging out their gear for Oregon's winter playgrounds: 13 ski areas. Mt. Hood Meadows offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the region, while Mt. Hood Ski Bowl keeps the adrenaline pumping with 34 night lit runs. Look no further for some of the best powder in the Pacific Northwest: Anthony Lakes Ski Area in the Blue Mountains boasts 300 inches of fine, dry powder annually with the highest base elevation in Oregon at 7,100 ft. In Southern Oregon, the Fish Lake Area offers miles of snowmobiling terrain as well as Nordic trails. Outside Bend, Mt. Bachelor's world-renowned downhill skiing and snowboarding flourishes alongside snowshoeing tours, sled dog rides and Nordic skiing. And, the area is embracing the latest cycling trend: fat tire biking, with Wanoga Sno-Park offering beautiful back-country scenery.  
Photo credits: Fox Searchlight, A Wild Winter; Sonal Haladay, Stellar Storm Watching; Shore Acres State Park, Holiday Happenings; Oregon Truffle Festival, Nose to the Ground; Mt. Ashland, Let it Snow

Media Contacts:


Sonal Haladay
LANE for Travel Oregon
traveloregon@lanepr.com
503-546-7860
Allison Keeney
Travel Oregon
allison@traveloregon.com
971-717-6195
Subscribe to our email list.