January 31st 2017 – What’s New in Oregon 2017. Outdoors and Indoors Activites for Winter Escape in Oregon

Cheers to 2017! It’s winter in Oregon,and we understand that one’s natural inclination might be to cozy up in front of a fireplace with a glass of “best-in-the-world” Willamette Valley pinot noir and a good book — which we’d highly recommend. But, it’s also a great time to take advantage of the great outdoors, and we have aplenty! From skiing to hiking, from fat biking to storm watching on The People’s Coast, we’ve got loads of adventures, no matter what Mother Nature sends your way. And don’t forget about the mouthwatering food that makes Oregon a standout among culinary enthusiasts. Sure, you may have vowed to kick off 2017 with a cleanse…but now it’s time to resolve to get your fill of truffle mac n’ cheese. After all, you made it through 2016 and you’ve earned it.  And, you deserve your fill of good story ideas, which is what we’re here for. 

Find the Weather You Want: The Oregon Weather Compass

Yes, it rains in Oregon. But what you might not know is that it’s often sunny here, too — you just have to know where to go. The same applies to snow, because all that wet stuff turns into white stuff if you’re up on Mt. Hood or Mt. Bachelor or any of our other dormant volcanoes with ski resorts perched on top. That’s why Travel Oregon created the Oregon Weather Compass. It’s the first-ever mobile site that helps point local and visiting explorers to the weather they’re looking for—be it sun, snow or even rain. Just load the mobile site onto your smartphone and follow one of three icons that tell you in real time where you can find the weather you’re seeking, along with driving directions and fun things you can do once you’re there. Oregon has all kinds of weather.  Find the one you like best.

Wine Region of the Year

Wine Enthusiast unveiled its No. 1 Wine Region in the World for 2016, and – while no surprise to us – Oregon’s Willamette Valley claimed top honors. Celebrate this amazing accomplishment (and seriously up your wine tasting game) by checking out some of the new and unique ways to experience wine country. Tour deVine by Heli, operated by Precision Helicopters, whisks passengers away on four-hour wine tasting tours. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of vineyards scattered along rolling hills before making a show-stopping entrance to sip some pinot. Or, if helicopters aren’t your thing, try moseying your way through wine country on horseback. Equestrian Wine Tours offers a unique (and comfortable, they promise!) way to see the Willamette Valley’s breathtaking countryside as you make your way to several wine stops in the famous Red Hills of Dundee

Mt. Hood Skibowl Opens Only Conveyor-Assisted Mountain Bike Skills Area in the Country

Take in the view as the 1,500-foot chairlift transports you (and your bike) up to Mt. Hood Skibowl’s Mountain Bike Park. Riders looking to further test their skills may want to check out the freestyle park, where you can catch some serious air. NEW to the mix is their Bike Learning Center, or BLC. The BLC just opened this past May and is the only conveyor-assisted skills area for mountain bikes in the entire country.