No matter the season, Crater Lake is a sight to behold, but there’s something absolutely magical about the country’s deepest lake in winter. It’s quiet and cold, and the lake’s singular sapphire hue against the white snow paints a true wonderland scene. Snow camping at Crater Lake is an ideal way to take in this spectacle, and many adventurers do just that during multiday ski or snowshoe circuits around the lake on the 30-mile Rim Drive, a trip that should be reserved for hearty travelers well versed in the ways of the backcountry. (Photo credit: Tyler Roemer)
What do you get when you mash together two exhilarating, high-energy outdoor sports that are hugely popular in Oregon? A third high-energy and exhilarating outdoor sport, of course. Snow kiting combines the best of snowboarding and skiing — fresh powder and killer terrain — with the breezy speed and acrobatics of kiteboarding. The pastime has yet to take off with the mainstream, but don’t be surprised, especially considering the backcountry access snow kiting can provide, to see more and more snow kiters sailing across the broad, snowy slopes of Oregon peaks like Mt. Hood, Mt. Ashland and even Mt. Defiance. (Photo credit: Richard Hallman)Fresh and light powder, gorgeous and often sunny alpine terrain, and short lift lines are what Eastern Oregon’s Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort is all about. That and its renowned snow-cat tours, which open up more than 2,000 acres of backcountry glory for intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders lusting after untouched steeps, bowls and glades in the Elkhorn Range. Want to ditch the crowds and grab first tracks all day long? The cats at Anthony Lakes are calling. (Photo credit: Leon Werdinger)Who says the bikes need to be put to bed for the winter? Not Oregon fat-bikers, who look forward to the first snowfalls and groomed trails that make a wintertime pedal on their two-wheelers — complete with oversize, knobby tires made for cold-weather terrain — certainly a ride to remember. A handful of companies, including Cog Wild in Bend, now offer guided tours and rentals to anyone who’s ever been left unfulfilled when the drier, warmer cycling season comes to an end. (Photo credit: Cog Wild Bicycle Tours)What might be better at the end of a peaceful day of cross-country skiing than a cozy cabin, a crackling fire, your drink of choice in hand and, if you’re lucky, an expansive Cascade view? Turns out, not much. One of the most unique ways to achieve all those things is by skiing or snowshoeing in to one of at least six of Oregon’s nostalgic fire lookouts that are still available for rent in the winter. Often outfitted with propane stoves, lanterns and wood-burning fireplaces, these throwback accommodations — many of which sit perched atop towers like Clear Lake Butte, shown here — make for a fine winter getaway and a long-lasting memory. (Photo credit: Jonathan Ley) Imagine racing across a snowy landscape, rushing past silent evergreens and stopping for lunch at a solitary spot with expansive mountain views — all without breaking so much as a drop of sweat. This is snowmobiling in Oregon, a popular winter pastime in the Beaver State, along with skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Hundreds of miles of snowmobile-friendly trails course through the Mt. Hood National Forest alone, and the vast majority of Oregon State Snowmobile Association’s chapters are available to assist avid and wannabe riders in plying thousands of miles of trails and snow-covered roads across the state all winter long. (Photo credit: Crescent Lake Resort)Dogsledding often brings to mind images of the icy Alaskan tundra, but it’s made a name for itself in Oregon over the years as well. Not only does Eastern Oregon host the annual Eagle Cap Extreme sled-dog race — a qualifier for the Iditarod — but opportunities for real-deal sled-dog rides and training your own pooch for the races have popped up everywhere from Bend to Mt. Hood. (Photo credit: Leon Werdinger)
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When the days grow shorter and the rain and snow set in, there’s a natural inclination to bundle up, light the fire and enjoy the world from inside. But to truly experience winter in Oregon, you need to fight the urge to hibernate and get outside.
Sure, Oregon offers opportunities for outdoor fun all year long, but this is especially true during the winter months. Whether you seek thrills on the slopes or quieter backcountry excursions, the opportunities for cold-weather adventures are plentiful: You can head to the mountains for downhill and cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Climb aboard a fat-bike and pedal along a snowy trail with the Three Sisters as a backdrop. Saddle up on a snowmobile or even harness up the hounds for a backcountry dogsled mush.
There are loads of unique ways to get out and about — experiences that are bound to leave a lasting impression. So back away from the sofa, save that movie for later and get your long johns on: There’s a great wintry world out there to explore.
Jon Bell is an Oregon writer and author of the book, On Mount Hood: A Biography of Oregon’s Perilous Peak. When he's not out exploring the Northwest with his kids and friends, he's likely writing about it from his home in Lake Oswego.
