Peak Northwest

The post-holiday slump is real. After the mad rush of the holiday travel season, it can be tempting to spend the rest of winter on the couch. But those who don’t leave home might be missing out on one of the best travel seasons in Oregon. On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we dive into the post-holiday travel season – a small window of time when tourist towns are free of crowds...

With a rough start to ski season in Oregon, people are champing at the bit to get up on Mount Hood. Oregon’s highest slopes aren’t just for skiers and snowboarders. From sledding to snowmobiling there are a lot of ways to slide down the mountain. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go over all the ways to play in the snow, setting you up for a fun season ahead. Here are some highlights fr...

The new year is here! Are you ready to start making your Pacific Northwest travel plans? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the 2026 Northwest Travel Guide, offering five ideas from around the region, from relaxing getaways to thrilling adventures. Even if you’re not making any reservations just yet (although you really should soon), it’s worth at least thinking about what you...

It might not the most accessible snow sport, but cross-country skiing is a lot easier to get into than some people think. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to Michael Russell, restaurant critic for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who is also a Nordic skiing enthusiast. Russell recounts his journey from spectactor of the 2018 Winter Olympics to an avid cross-country skier. As Russell tell...

Who needs things when you could get the gift of an incredible outdoor adventure? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get into the spirit of giving, highlighting some of the best experiential gifts for outdoor adventurers. There’s nothing wrong with a new pair of socks and an REI gift card, but what about the gift of a tree climbing trip or a relaxing soak in some of Oregon’s most serene h...

You don’t have to be a fan of “The Polar Express” to enjoy these holiday trains – though it might help. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we look at some of Oregon and Washington’s most popular holiday-themed excursions on historic railroads, which have officially kicked off for the season. Some trains cater specifically to fans of “The Polar Express” while others offer the typical accoutr...

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Are you mushroom foraging curious? Maybe you’ve been out a few times, but haven’t known what to look for? Worry not, the world of chanterelles is close at hand. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get an education from Jess Liotta, an independent mushroom forager and guest instructor for Trackers Earth, a local organization that teaches outdoor skills. Liotta dives into the basics of mush...

King tide season is almost here. The exceptionally high tides, which in 2025 will occur in November, December and January, according to the Oregon King Tide Project, are an opportunity for excitement on the Oregon coast, but come with a heavy dose of caution for anyone hoping to see them. Before you pull on your rain gear and head out into the elements, here is everything you need to know about th...

found freedom, confidence and community. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, host Chiara Profenna talks with Purry, a blind surfer from Oregon who was recently named to Team USA Para Surfing. At 40, Purry discovered adaptive surfing and has since become an advocate for accessibility and inclusion in outdoor sports. From navigating Oregon’s cold, wild coastline to preparing for her upcoming d...

For many Oregonians, the outdoors is a place of adventure, but it can also be a space for community and belonging. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, host Chiara Profenna talks with Dr. Shirley A. Jackson, volunteer leader for Outdoor Afro Oregon and west regional leader for the national organization reconnecting Black people to land, water and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation...

Is Mount Hood the best autumn getaway in Oregon? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore all there is to do on Mount Hood in the fall, from apple picking to mushroom foraging, beautiful hikes to early-season skiing. Fall is a great time of year on Oregon’s tallest mountain, situated between the summer backpacking season and the winter ski season, offering an abundance of activities fo...

There’s a lot to love about the southeast corner of Oregon – if you’re willing to drive. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we follow Vickie Connor, a visual journalist for The Oregonian/OregonLive, as she explores this far-flung region of the state. While her trip was short, Connor discovered a ton of southeast Oregon’s greatest treasures, from a towering fire lookout to hidden desert hot...

Boat tours on Crater Lake are among the top bucket list experiences in Oregon, but after this past summer, it will be a few years before they head back out on the water. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, features reporter Janet Eastman recounts her ride on one of the last Crater Lake boat tours until 2029, which took her and a group of tourists around the blue-hued lake and to the famed Wi...

Oregon is perfect in the fall. From the crisp, bright days of September to the gray, mossy days of December, the Pacific Northwest has so much to offer this time of year. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we discuss eight of the most essential fall activities in Oregon, helping you make the most of the season. Are you an outdoors enthusiast? You have to try your hand at mushroom foraging o...

Oregon is not known as a particular hot spot for whale watching – at least not compared to places like the Puget Sound or Hawaii – but at least one spot has enough action that it’s been dubbed the “whale watching capital of Oregon.” On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a trip to Depoe Bay, the whale watching destination on the central Oregon coast, where we look for gray whales, eat g...

Summer is almost officially over, and while some Oregonians may be eagerly transitioning into fall, there’s still time to get in your final few summer activities. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go over 10 of the best ways to round out an Oregon summer, making sure you make the most of the last days of the season. While many are oriented around water – hanging out by a river, taking a...

You’ve probably traveled through some small cities in Oregon, but it’s unlikely you’ve been to cities this small. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we head to the five smallest cities in the state, places that barely have a population or main street to speak of. That’s not to say there’s nothing to see there. Samantha Swindler, features reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive took a road tri...

It’s an age-old question for anyone who’s flown the nest: What are you going to do when your parents come to town? On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we go over one family’s perfect itinerary for showing off Oregon, from coastal landscapes to incredible Portland restaurants. While adventures will be different for every family, the intention is typically the same: finding a way to balance yo...

Whitewater paddling is everyone’s cup of tea, but some people feel like they don’t even have the chance to try. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk to the leaders of nonprofit organization Diversify Whitewater, who talk about the barriers that some paddlers face, and how the organization is helping serve those underserved communities. While Diversify Whitewater is not based in the Pa...

At 196 miles over two days, from the top of Mount Hood to the sand at the Oregon Coast, there’s a reason they call it the “mother of all relays.” On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we look at what it takes to tackle the Hood to Coast Relay, Oregon’s biggest annual footrace, which is returning this weekend. Cristian Vargas, founder of Juntos PDX and Caminando Running Club, joined the podcast...

If cute cottages and ghostly tree stumps are your idea of a good time, you’ll want to plan your next Oregon coast vacation for Neskowin. The tiny town on the north Oregon coast is known for its quiet, residential feel, with no small shops and few restaurants to speak of. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we get into everything you need to know to visit. The major attractions in Neskowin ar...

Even if you consider yourself a runner, you probably aren’t prepared for a run quite like this. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dive into the Cascade Lakes Relay, a 216-mile race across the landscape of central Oregon that can get a little wilder and weirder than your average footrace. Similar to Oregon’s famed Hood to Coast Relay, the Cascade Lakes Relay involves teams of runners who...

Oregon is renowned for its wilderness areas, found in high desert landscapes and around towering volcanoes, but you don’t need to go far from the state’s largest city to get there. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness of the Mt. Hood National Forest, found just 50 miles east of Portland. This wilderness area has rushing rivers, dense evergreen fore...

Portland has a lot of great places to see and things to do, but there’s nothing quite like this. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we take a trip along the 4T Trail, a roughly 9-mile loop that takes combines public transit with hiking trails, taking visitors on an epic tour of Southwest Portland. The 4T Trail covers a lot of ground, from the Willamette River way up to Council Crest, over t...