Oregon is positively magical — especailly when the holidays come around. Bundle up and go experience Oregon’s very own winter wonderlands at these 10 gorgeous, snowy places that will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to the North Pole:
- Sumpter Valley Railroad Christmas Train
flickr/ Baker County Tourism This winter, take an unforgettable ride on the Historic Sumpter Valley Railroad Christmas Train in Baker County. This lovely excursion will lead you through the gorgeous, snow-covered landscape of Eastern Oregon with Santa on board. It’s a magical excursion the whole family will love.
- Timberline Lodge
flickr/ Skip Russell Located near the summit of Mt Hood, this historic lodge and ski resort is truly one of a kind. Stay for a night, for a dinner, or to ski; this beautiful lodge will make you feel right at home.
- Mt Hood
flickr/ Severin Sadjina In fact, all of Mt Hood is exceptionally wonderful in the winter. There are all kinds of opportunities for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing, tubing, sightseeing, and more.
- Elkhorn Scenic Byway
flickr/ Baker County Tourism Located in Baker County, the Elkhorn Scenic Byway is a stunning country drive that will lead you through beautiful (and often snow-covered) scenery as well as numerous charming small towns. Part of the road is closed in the winter, so be sure to check the road conditions before heading out.
- Crater Lake
flickr/ forrest stanley The immense, spectacular Crater Lake is beautiful any time of year, but it’s especailly majestic in the winter when the deep blue lake is rimmed by thick, white snow.
- Mt Hood Railroad Polar Express
flickr/ Mt Hood Railroad Every year, the Mt Hood Railroad offers visitors the unique experience of riding the Polar Express train all the way to the “North Pole” and back! Climb aboard this vintage train adorned in holiday decorations to enjoy carols, cocoa, Santa Claus, and so much more.
- Mt Bachelor
flickr/ David Merwin Located in Central Oregon, Mt Bachelor is a stunning Cascade mountain with a renowned ski resort that will blow you away.
- Mirror Lake
flickr/ J. S. Townsley Located in the Mt Hood National Forest, Mirror Lake is a stunning hidden gem. There’s a 3 mile hike leading to the lake that is very popular in the summer, but in the winter the parking area closes and it becomes accessible only on snowshoes - which means you will most likely get to experience this winter wonderland in peace and solitude.
- Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
flickr/ Baker County Tourism This stunning byway loops around the amazing Wallowa Mountains, which are immensely beautiful this time of year. Parts of the byway are closed off due to snow in the wintertime, but long, stunning sections of the drive are still open - and still beautiful. (Check hellscanyonscenicbyway.com for road closure information).
- Sunriver
flickr/ kaveman743 Sunriver is a perfect destination for a winter getaway. The area is often coated in snow, and there is ice skating, Christmas concerts, and more. Plus, it’s close to the Mt Bachelor ski resort, and you can book a cabin at the Sunriver Resort.
Find out about Oregon’s most lovely Christmas towns here.
flickr/ Baker County Tourism
This winter, take an unforgettable ride on the Historic Sumpter Valley Railroad Christmas Train in Baker County. This lovely excursion will lead you through the gorgeous, snow-covered landscape of Eastern Oregon with Santa on board. It’s a magical excursion the whole family will love.
flickr/ Skip Russell
Located near the summit of Mt Hood, this historic lodge and ski resort is truly one of a kind. Stay for a night, for a dinner, or to ski; this beautiful lodge will make you feel right at home.
flickr/ Severin Sadjina
In fact, all of Mt Hood is exceptionally wonderful in the winter. There are all kinds of opportunities for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing, tubing, sightseeing, and more.
Located in Baker County, the Elkhorn Scenic Byway is a stunning country drive that will lead you through beautiful (and often snow-covered) scenery as well as numerous charming small towns. Part of the road is closed in the winter, so be sure to check the road conditions before heading out.
flickr/ forrest stanley
The immense, spectacular Crater Lake is beautiful any time of year, but it’s especailly majestic in the winter when the deep blue lake is rimmed by thick, white snow.
flickr/ Mt Hood Railroad
Every year, the Mt Hood Railroad offers visitors the unique experience of riding the Polar Express train all the way to the “North Pole” and back! Climb aboard this vintage train adorned in holiday decorations to enjoy carols, cocoa, Santa Claus, and so much more.
flickr/ David Merwin
Located in Central Oregon, Mt Bachelor is a stunning Cascade mountain with a renowned ski resort that will blow you away.
flickr/ J. S. Townsley
Located in the Mt Hood National Forest, Mirror Lake is a stunning hidden gem. There’s a 3 mile hike leading to the lake that is very popular in the summer, but in the winter the parking area closes and it becomes accessible only on snowshoes - which means you will most likely get to experience this winter wonderland in peace and solitude.
This stunning byway loops around the amazing Wallowa Mountains, which are immensely beautiful this time of year. Parts of the byway are closed off due to snow in the wintertime, but long, stunning sections of the drive are still open - and still beautiful. (Check hellscanyonscenicbyway.com for road closure information).
flickr/ kaveman743
Sunriver is a perfect destination for a winter getaway. The area is often coated in snow, and there is ice skating, Christmas concerts, and more. Plus, it’s close to the Mt Bachelor ski resort, and you can book a cabin at the Sunriver Resort.
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