Épisodes

  • This Mt. Hood adventure park comes alive every summer

    This Mt. Hood adventure park comes alive every summer
    Jul 10 2025
    When the snow melts and the alpine flowers begin to bloom, it’s time for the folks at Mt. Hood Skibowl to start taking out all their toys. With racecars, ziplines and the beloved alpine slide, there’s a lot that goes into transforming the snowy ski area into a summer adventure park. That’s not to mention the hiking trails that emerge from the snowmelt and the skilift that gets rebranded to the “sky chair” for the season. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Mike Quinn, vice president and general manager of Mt. Hood Skibowl, talks all about what goes into the transformation, and how people can best enjoy the summer slopes. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: What goes into transforming Skibowl into the summer adventure park? Activities are offered a la carte, allowing people to design their own days. Does climate change affect when and how the summer season is offered? How to make the most of a summer day on the mountain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 min
  • Take on this 105-mile bike ride from Portland to the Oregon coast

    Take on this 105-mile bike ride from Portland to the Oregon coast
    Jul 3 2025
    There is no shortage of beautiful bike rides in Oregon, but the Reach the Beach cycling event is a truly remarkable experience. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Vickie Connor, a visual journalist with The Oregonian/OregonLive, about her experience on this epic bike ride. Reach the Beach is a 105-mile ride from Sauvie Island to the Oregon coast, running through the scenic Clatsop State Forest. A fundraise for the American Lung Association, the ride is done in teams that are there not to race, but to share in the scenic ride. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How Vickie got involved with Reach the Beach. Why the ride is definitely hard, but not necessarily in the way that Vickie thought. The best part of the day? It might have been the salmon hash. Reach the Beach is just one of many cycling challenges in Oregon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 min
  • How to make the most of an Oregon summer

    How to make the most of an Oregon summer
    Jun 26 2025
    Summertime in Oregon is magical. But between the coastal beaches, the ice cream shops, the wine country getaways and the mountain views, how is anybody supposed to see it all? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss a few of the best ways to make the most of an Oregon summer, from one of the best Mt. Hood hikes to some of the best cities to explore on foot. No matter how you approach it, the important thing is to release the expectation of doing it all. Even the most ambitious summer road trip won’t get you to all the most beautiful and interesting destinations in Oregon. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: This Mount Hood hike is a perfect place to see the mountain. How to explore Portland on a budget. Why the coast is everybody’s go-to summer getaway. A controversial take on how to visit Oregon’s wine country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 min
  • How to travel from Portland to the Oregon coast by boat

    How to travel from Portland to the Oregon coast by boat
    Jun 19 2025
    You’ve probably driven from Portland to Astoria. Maybe you’ve even taken the bus. But have you ever traveled between the two cities by boat? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk about the twice-a-year travel experience that’s taking people down the Columbia River, providing a very different way to travel to the north Oregon coast. Lizzy Acker, who reported on the Astoria cruise earlier this spring, joins the podcast to talk about her experience, and some options for those who want to embark on a longer car-free trip along the coastline. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Everything you need to know about the Portland Spirit cruise. Acker recounts her trip down the Columbia River. While most travelers take a bus right back to Portland, Acker chose to spend the night in Astoria. It’s possible to take an even longer car-free vacation along the Oregon coast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 min
  • The best swim spots around Portland for this summer

    The best swim spots around Portland for this summer
    Jun 12 2025
    On hot summer days, Portlanders flock to the water – thankfully there’s a lot of that here. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss the many, many swim spot options in and around the city, for people who are looking to dip their toes or take a dip in a cooling river or lake. Joining us to discuss swim spots is local swimmer Hadley Brooks, who for the last several years has embarked on a personal “summer of swimming” project, in which she has found a different place to swim each week of the season. In the process, she has become an expert on local swim spots – as well as the necessary safety precautions to take before getting in the water. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: How to stay safe before swimming in free-flowing bodies of water. Why Brooks started her “summer of swimming,” and the rules of her project. Between the Willamette and Columbia rivers, there are a ton of places to swim in Portland. Those looking for wilder places can go just a little farther afield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • Where to find the hidden waterfalls of southern Oregon

    Where to find the hidden waterfalls of southern Oregon
    Jun 5 2025
    Oregon is famous for its waterfalls, but not all are so easy to find. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore a hidden waterfall corridor along the North Umpqua River in the southern Cascade Mountains, ranking the best plunges and falls in the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 min
  • We took a baby day trip to the north Oregon coast – with a baby

    We took a baby day trip to the north Oregon coast – with a baby
    May 29 2025
    Sometimes all you need is a quick trip to the ocean. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a baby day trip to the north Oregon coast – with an actual baby in tow. With stops in Cannon Beach, Manzanita and Nehalem, we find out what it’s like to explore the coast, from fish and chips shops to the sandy beach, with an infant along for the ride. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Start the day at one of the best bakeries on the north coast. Baby’s first visit to the ocean was full of new experiences. A search for great fish and chips led us to a new favorite. Some of the best little shops around this stretch of the coast. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 min
  • 7 of the very best hotels on the Oregon coast

    7 of the very best hotels on the Oregon coast
    May 22 2025
    There are a lot of places to stay the night on the Oregon coast, but some spots are just special. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into our recent list of the best hotels on the Oregon coast, highlighting seven that are especially noteworthy. These places include affordable stays right off the highway, luxury destinations on the sand and unique spots with funky decor. Bookmark these hotels for your next Oregon coast vacation. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: A pair of hotels in Astoria show the wide variety of lodging options in the city. Why the Stephanie Inn has won so many accolades. Is there anything better than a private hot tub on a balcony overlooking the ocean? The best place to cosplay as a lighthouse keeper. Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 min