Winter Warm-Ups

Oregon's sauna renaissance is gathering steam. Plus: prepping roads for winter, a modern parenting revolution, local (and little) gift ideas, and our annual list of Portland's top doctors, nurse practitioners, and more.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

All of the Lights

For the 10th Portland Winter Light Festival, Artists Look Forward

Since 2016, the Portland Winter Light Festival has illuminated the city with dramatic sculptures and interactive installations. This year, it imagines the future.

01/13/2025 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Q&A

Ripping the City with Ryan Daniel, Portland’s Viral Portrait Photographer

‘The people of Portland and the reaction to the project I’m doing has been amazing.’

12/03/2024 By Dalila Brent Illustrations by Betty Turbo

Au Musée

Getting Handsy with Monet’s Water Lilies at PAM

Stripping unwanted varnish gives the Impressionist masterpiece new life, and peels back some of the painting’s intimidating context.

10/14/2024 By Matthew Trueherz Photography by Jason Hill

Stage Fright

Live Nation and AEG Are Racing to Build Portland’s First ‘Small Arenas’

The world’s two largest music presenters partnered with local groups to open the city’s first midsize venues. Is there room for both?

09/30/2024 By Sam Pape Illustrations by Matthew Billington

Photobook

Protest City Photographer Rian Dundon’s Next Project Is a Quieter Ride

Post-divorce and post-COVID, the intimate photos in Dundon’s Passenger distill Portland’s normalized strife.

09/25/2024 By Matthew Trueherz Photography by Rian Dundon

Eat & Drink

Zero-Proof

A Booze-Free Highball Recipe for the Holidays

The mocktail comes from Ariel Dunitz-Johnson, founder of the nonalcoholic bottle shop Ever AFter.

12/30/2024 By Alex Frane

Zero-Proof

Oregon-Made Nonalcoholic Mixers to Up Your Mocktail Game

Because bitters and soda are overrated.

12/23/2024 By Alex Frane Photography by Michael Novak

In Memoriam

Portlanders We Lost This Year: Naomi Pomeroy

The legendary Beast chef and restaurant industry advocate died earlier this year. With months to reflect, this is how her collaborators remember her.

12/16/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Reviews

The New Portland Restaurants That Make Us Hopeful

Portland’s food soul rallies again, small and personal to the core.

11/20/2024 By Karen Brooks

Health & Wellness

Fact Check

What Is Contrast Therapy and Does It Work?

Advocates say alternating between hot saunas and cold plunges can have major wellness benefits. The research is a little more complicated.

11/05/2024 By Erin Ross Illustrations by Derek Abella

Heating Up

Oregon’s Sauna Scene Has Never Been Better

Meet the new sauna evangelists changing the way we shvitz.

11/05/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Sauna 101

A Beginner’s Guide to the Wide World of Sauna and Steam

Should you go electric? Wood-burning? What the heck is infrared? And how do you avoid the spa faux pas?

11/04/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden Illustrations by Derek Abella

Warming Up

How Knot Springs Makes Its Saunas Smell So Good

The Portland spa enlisted fragrance design studio Maak Lab to develop custom oil blends for its steam room and sauna rocks.

10/30/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Heat Seeking

Destination Saunas in Oregon and Beyond

Shvitz in a “wine barrel,” cold plunge in a river, or soak up the steam from a bubbling hot spring.

10/30/2024 Edited by Brooke Jackson-Glidden and Rebecca Jacobson

Getting Steamy

Portland’s Gay Bathhouse Scene Hasn’t Dried Up Yet

The city has lost almost all of its gay bathhouses, but the LGBTQ+ community still finds solace in the sauna.

10/28/2024 By Byron Beck Illustrations by Derek Abella

In the Gym

All Bodies Strong Is Leading Portland’s Size-Inclusive Fitness Movement

It’s the city’s only gym explicitly designed for fat liberation.

09/23/2024 By Alice Wolfe Photography by Jason Hill

Women's Health

Meet the Oregon Researcher Battling Period Stigma

Bethany Samuelson Bannow works on the bleeding edge of menstrual health.

06/07/2024 By Zoe Sayler

News & City Life

Winter

Will It Sled?

An unscientific analysis of Portland’s best, worst, and most ridiculous toboggan alternatives.

12/16/2024 By Portland Monthly Staff

Cold Hard Facts

Breaking Down Portland Winter Weather

Last January’s deadly cold snap closed roads, downed trees, and left thousands without power. How does it compare to past years?

12/10/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Iced Out

Is Oregon Preparing Enough for Winter Weather?

The Oregon Department of Transportation is facing a financial crisis. That’s bad news for our roads.

12/04/2024 By Peter Laufer Illustrations by Martin Gee

Editor's Note

Oregon’s Nordic Roots Are Most Visible in the Winter

Oregon’s love for saunas and skiing can be tied to its Finnish and Scandinavian immigrants.

12/03/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Parenthood

Portland’s New Parenting Groups Are Doing Something Radical

They're focusing on the mom.

10/31/2024 By Miranda Rake Illustrations by Johanna Goodman

Style & Shopping

Holiday Shopping

A Pint-Size Holiday Gift Guide for Any Portlander

On the wish list this year: an ultra-retro gaming console, a next-gen Chrome bag, and coffee-bolstered chile oil.

11/01/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Travel & Outdoors

Oregon Trails

8 Ways to Embrace Winter in Oregon

From snowshoeing to stargazing to dips in the sea, there’s no reason to fear the cold.

12/02/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Jordan Kay

In Defense of Skinny Skis

Cross-Country Skiing Is More Joyful Than You Think

It’s serene, affordable, and as strenuous or leisurely as you want it to be—and a balm during dark Northwest winters.

11/19/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

As Told To

Meet Astrophysicist and Former Elite Cross-Country Ski Racer Alison Crocker

The Reed College professor reflects on racing, working hard, and waffles.

11/18/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

XC Ski 101

A Beginner's Guide to Cross-Country Skiing

Never clipped into skinny skis? Here's all you need to know. Plus: gear rentals, lessons, and clubs in the Portland area.

11/15/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Glide Time

5 Favorite Cross-Country Ski Spots in the Pacific Northwest

Here’s where to find tranquil wooded trails, big volcano views, cozy warming huts, and even a glittering ice cave.

11/12/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Blades of Glory

Portland’s Downtown Ice Rink Is Back

Get ready to glide.

11/08/2024 By Margaret Seiler

Getaway

Fly Direct from PDX to Austin for Tacos, Two-Step, and Sunshine

Even as tech money pours in, the capital of Texas retains its swagger.

10/09/2024 By Nadia Chaudhury

The Shining

Sleeping with Ghosts at Heceta Head Lighthouse’s Haunted B&B

The old lighthouse keepers' quarters, now a cozy inn, are reportedly home to a ghost named Rue. We paid a visit.

08/21/2024 By Jessi Bunch