One perfect adrenalin day in Oregon
From skiing to whitewater rafting all in a summer’s day
It is a hot summer morning, perfect for wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, and I’m about to go on my first ski run of the day.
Mount Hood is one of only a few ski areas in the world that remain open year-round, and standing on the summit, with the Cascade mountain range stretched out before us, it isn’t hard to see why.
We arrived the day before, and checked into the Resort at the Mountain, a beautifully-decorated resort just a 15 minute drive from the ski area. The resort is made up of several buildings tucked into the surrounding woods, making it feel wonderfully secluded.
After a few breathtaking runs down the mountain, it was time to relax in the Timberline Lodge, just at the bottom of the ski lifts. The lodge was built in the 1930s as part of the New Deal. It is an impressive wood and stone structure, that boasts 70 guest rooms, two restaurants, and ample spots for lounging. And although the lodge was used as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, there’s nothing menacing about the inside.
The stunning rustic Cascadian interior makes it feel like the building grew out of the mountainside. A museum fills most of the main floor rooms, with artifacts and pictures telling the story of the building’s origin, including the historic dedication by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
There weren’t only history buffs and skiers enjoying the ambience — we met a young couple preparing to summit the mountain, complete with climbing gear and helmets.
No need to go anywhere else for an après ski meal — we enjoyed lunch at the Ram’s Head Bar, located on the top floor of the lodge. I enjoyed a Käsekrainer sausage on a pretzel bun, while enjoying the clear view of Mount Jefferson to the south.
We could have stayed and explored the Timberline Lodge for hours, but the outdoors was calling. What better way to follow up with a midsummer day’s ski than by whitewater rafting!
Just under an hour’s drive from the lodge, we pulled off the highway next to the roaring Clackamas River. Chris Lessick, owner and operator of Northwest Whitewater Adventures was waiting for us with rubber rafts to take us down the river.
Being on the river is a passion for Chris who’s been guiding for 10 years. He skilfully navigated us through the adrenalin ride as he shared anecdotes and information about the area.
The day was only getting hotter, and between bouts of battling through rapids, we cooled off by diving into the cold, refreshing Clackamas River.
By the time we go back to our vehicle, we had worked up an appetite. Fortunately as we made our way back to the Resort at the Mountain, we came across the Skyway Bar and Grill. A gem of a roadhouse barbecue establishment, the food was incredible, and we couldn’t resist ordering a little bit of everything. We were particularly fond of the brisket, beans and mac and cheese. To wash it down, there was an impressive draft beer and wine list, as well as custom cocktails.
But dinner was just the beginning out in the backyard we were welcomed by the locals around a fire pit, and outdoor bar.
We even got in a quick game of Ping-Pong and foosball.
To top it off a bluegrass band took the stage and played until nearly midnight. It was a Monday night but it was a party worthy of a Saturday night.
It was hard to believe that this was the same day that started with excellent skiing down Mount Hood, but I was in the same shorts and Hawaiian shirt to prove it.
The writer was a guest of Oregon’s Mount Hood Territory. No one from the organization read or approved of this article before publication.