Whether you’re an all-weather, outdoor family, or there’s a snowball’s chance in you-know-where you’ll be found out on the mountain, check out these winter adventures.
If Your Family is Outdoorsy
Go to: Baker City
At 4 ½ hours away from Portland, Baker City might not be on your radar as a winter getaway destination — yet. With its small-town vibe and proximity to the slopes, outdoorsy families will find plenty to do.
With nearby towns named Little Alps and Powder, you’d think Baker City was more remote. But getting there is a straight shot on I-84: good news for winter travel. Here’s what you need to know to plan a fun-packed outing.
Fun Things to Do
If you’ve come to ski, you’ll want to drive the 45 minutes to Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, the highest base elevation ski spot in the state. Many of the mountain’s runs are for intermediate and expert shredders, but the newly developed Alice’s Wonderland area is tailored for folks newer to skis and snowboards. Anthony Lakes runs lessons, including the Greenhorn Package (which includes a bunny hill lift ticket, gear rental and an hour of instruction — a steal for just $70).
Anthony Lakes is an affordable choice for families. Kids 6 and under get day passes for free; fifth and sixth graders can get free lift tickets, rentals and a lesson on Sundays, with signup.
Cross-country skiers can glide the more than 18 miles of groomed trails at Anthony Lakes. For snowshoeing, head to the mostly flat Phillips Lake South Shoreline Trail for views of the towering Elkhorn Mountains. Or book a trip on the historic Sumpter Valley Railroad (select days in December).
Where to Stay
Post up at a hotel chain (Best Western or Super 8), the historic Geiser Grand Hotel (kids will swoon at the chandeliers in every room) or a home rental like Airbnb.
Where to Eat
Order pasta, steak or pub fare at Barley Brown’s Brewpub. Stop by Sweet Wife Baking for breakfast, lunch and pastries. For a fancy dinner, eat under an impressive stained glass ceiling at Palm Court in the Geiser Grand Hotel.
Go to: Government Camp
As the highest elevation town on Mt. Hood, Government Camp is the gateway to mountain-based fun near Portland. Located an hour and 15 minutes from Portland (longer with traffic), “Govy” is the go-to base camp for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing and other adventures for when the mercury dips below 32.
Fun Things to Do
It’s actually harder to avoid cool winter activities around Government Camp than to find them. Learn to ski alongside your littles in the parent-child lessons at Mt. Hood Meadows and Mt. Hood Skibowl. Already know how to shred? For kids 6 and younger, snag a Meadows season pass for $39 or a Timberline pass for $50. Take advantage of winter’s long nights by skiing in the dark (and without the crowds!) at Skibowl (with the largest night skiing acreage in the U.S.), Meadows and Timberline.
White River Sno-Park’s multiple sledding hills and incredible view of the mountain’s peak make this our favorite spot to sled. Tired of schlepping the sled back up the hill? Try the tubing at Skibowl, where you’ll get towed to the top for run after run. (They also offer nighttime Cosmic Tubing, complete with laser lights and music!)
Looking for a quieter activity? Try snowshoeing the flat loop around Trillium Lake, mere minutes from Government Camp. For a snowshoeing route a little farther from the beaten path, we love Pocket Creek. Or check out the meter-long icicles adorning the rocks around Tamanawas Falls at the end of the 3.5-mile, out-and-back route.
Where to Stay
Government Camp is full of home and condo rentals, where your fam can spread out and warm up after a day in the snow. Or splurge on a room at Timberline Lodge (from $300 for a queen room midweek), where a new hot tub is scheduled to open this winter.
Where to Eat
At High Mountain Cafe, nom a breakfast sandwich or carry out a cheese-and-meat plate for an alpine al fresco meal. The portions at local favorite Huckleberry Inn are big enough to fuel your black diamond runs (or the ten thousand times you drag your kid’s toboggan up the sledding hill). Order upleveled brewpub fare and pizza at Glacier Haus.
If Your Family is Indoorsy
Go to: Great Wolf Lodge
When the winter gets you down, there’s nothing like an epic water park vacation to help you pretend you’re smack-dab in the middle of summer. Enter: Great Wolf Lodge, located in Grand Mound, Washington, just an hour and a half drive from Portland.
The newly renovated resort includes a 56,000-square-foot indoor water park, plus kid-friendly activities once you’ve dried off. When you stay overnight, you’ll get water park access on the first day of your booking through the last day — you don’t have to stop swimming when you check out.
Fun Things to Do
It’s no surprise that swimming should top your reasons for coming to Great Wolf Lodge. The 4-story fort-playground dumps surprise buckets of water, and kids can shoot water cannons and zip down slides. Pretend you’re riding ocean swells in the wave pool. Shoot hoops in the basketball pool, or test your skills crossing floating pedestals in a wet, American Ninja Warrior-like obstacle course. Zip down water slides, including the Howling Tornado — a 6-story-high twisting tube for four brave souls at a time. *Takes a breath* So yeah: There’s a lot of water play.
Once you’re too pruney (or too tired) to swim for another minute, check out the resort’s activities on dry land. PDX Parent’s editor swears by MagiQuest’s interactive scavenger hunts with stops throughout the property. Challenge your kids to an air hockey throw-down at the Northern Lights Arcade. Or do an arts-and-crafts project (like origami or sparkly snowflakes) or take a kid-centric yoga class, all included in your overnight stay.
Then grab a fresh towel and head back to the pool — I mean, pools!
Lodging varies from standard hotel rooms through themed suites that can sleep up to eight people. Rooms start at $499 a night, but keep an eye out for frequent discounts and deals.
Where to Eat
Great Wolf Lodge dishes up family-friendly food at six restaurants, plus a Starbucks, naturally. Poolside Buckets serves up burgers and fries fast — all the better for getting back in the water. Refuel with pizza and pasta at Hungry Like a Wolf (including gluten- and dairy-free options). And indulge your kids’s sweet tooth with cupcakes or ice cream at Bear Paw — they’ll swim off the sugar high anyway!
Go to: Eugene
Located two hours south along I-5, Eugene is best known as a college town and the home of the Ducks. Regardless of your football allegiance (or ambivalence), Eugene makes a great winter destination for families that are more indoors-inclined. Why? Eugene is even rainier than Portland, so the city offers plenty of fun indoor activities.
Fun Things to Do
Indoors doesn’t equal sedentary. Skip the cabin fever and burn off some energy at one of the two trampoline parks in town, DEFY or Get Air. My two kids recently bounced like supercharged grasshoppers at DEFY, which has plenty of seating for grown-up spectators.
Get even more enthusiasm out skating at the Rink Exchange, which rents seal-shaped skating supports for your littlest Wayne Gretzky. After you unlace your skates, cross the parking lot to the Holiday Market (open select days November through December). You’ll find handmade gifts, delicious food and live music in this indoor iteration of the Portland Saturday Market.
Next head to the University of Oregon campus, where you can see a 7-foot-tall ground sloth skeleton (pictured above), artifacts from Native American tribes and the oldest sandals in the world at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Request an adventure pack from the front desk, which is filled with goodies to help kids explore the museum (available in English and Spanish). In the heart of campus, visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art which is best known for its collections of Asian art. Finally, check the university’s athletics schedule to cheer on the Ducks in the Matthew Knight Arena.
Where to Stay
Splash in the indoor pool and hot tub at Even Hotel Eugene, located a few blocks from Alton Baker Park. Go all-in with the college theme at The Graduate, which has roomy suites for the fam (and pets!), plus complimentary bikes to use during your stay. Or spread out in a home rental via Airbnb or Vrbo.
Where to Eat
My kids love the pizza and the merry-go-round at Roaring Rapids Pizza, which overlooks the Willamette. Or go for wacky (egg! avocado! chevre!) or traditional toppings at Off the Waffle. Pro tip: Their downtown location has more room for families to spread out! Or take the brew pub route at Elk Horn (sit downstairs next to the kids’ play zone) or Falling Sky (kids love the mac ‘n’ cheese; adults love the $1 off beer deal whenever it’s raining).
- Family-Friendly Winter Travel Around Oregon - November 30, 2023
- Catch Fall Colors at Hoyt Arboretum - November 1, 2023
- Family-Friendly Travel for Your Best Oregon Summer Yet - May 23, 2023
