8 Ways to Embrace Winter in Oregon
Image: Jordan Kay
Yes, Winter in Oregon is long and dark. But it doesn't have to be bleak. While there's value in a bit of hibernation, getting yourself outside reminds you that you're alive—and that this state is stunning at any time of year. Here are eight ways to make the most of the season.
Image: Jordan Kay
Plunge Into the Pacific on New Year's Day
What began as a small gathering of friends in 2004 has grown into an event drawing hundreds to Neahkahnie Beach for a bracing New Year’s Day dip in the frigid waters of the Pacific. A bonfire awaits post-plunge.
Go Cosmic Tubing at SkiBowl
Need a jolt of joy? This wonderfully shameless riff on cosmic bowling involves flinging yourself down Mount Hood’s snowy slopes on an inflatable wheel of rubber as pop tunes pulse through the crisp alpine air and neon lights flash violet and bubblegum all around you. BYO glow sticks.
Ride a Fat Bike at Wanoga Sno-Park
Two-wheelers get in on the winter fun at this sno-park 20 minutes outside Bend, which has nearly 10 miles of trails groomed specifically for fat bikes. Minimum tire width is 3.8 inches, so rent from a shop in Bend if you don’t have your own.
Strap on Snowshoes at Crater Lake
America’s deepest lake is also one of its snowiest places, with more than 40 feet falling every year. Routes are ungroomed, so be prepared to break trail—and check the forecast, because storms are common. But clear days reward with jaw-dropping views, and lucky visitors may also spot bushy-tailed pine martens, well-camouflaged snowshoe hares, and red foxes.
Practice Your Salchows at Bill Collier Ice Arena
This Olympic-size, open-air covered rink is located just inside Running Y Resort, a few miles from downtown Klamath Falls. The annual Winterfest brings a chance to ooh and aah at Olympic and Grand Prix champions and learn from pro coaches and choreographers.
Stargaze in the Oregon Outback
An upside to long winter nights: You don’t have to stay up as late to see the stars. Plus, cold air is clearer, so stars appear brighter. Pay a visit to the recently certified Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary—the 2.5-million-acre swath of land is the largest of its kind in the world—and watch the Milky Way reveal itself.
Soak at Crystal Crane Hot Springs
Another way to beat the winter chill? By submerging your body in steaming water. This Harney County resort dates to the 1920s and offers both a vast outdoor pond and private cedar tubs, as well as a variety of lodging options, including a few tipis, for a longer high desert escape.
Cheer on Dogsled Teams in the Eagle Cap Extreme
Oregon’s only qualifier for Alaska’s Iditarod and Canada’s Yukon Quest is a 200-mile, 12-dog race through tricky, rugged terrain in the Wallowa Mountains. (If you and your huskies are still building mileage, there are also two shorter races.) The race starts this year on Thursday, January 23, from Ferguson Ridge, and spectators can catch more action at Salt Creek Summit Sno-Park before finishing back at Ferguson Ridge on Saturday.
