Just a short drive from the Portland area, snow-capped Mt. Hood and the stunning Columbia River Gorge are home to some of Oregon’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, not to mention the windsurfing capital of the world and North America’s only year-round ski and snowboard resort. In addition to Timberline, which serves as the summer home to the U.S. Olympic Ski and Snowboard teams, Mt. Hood’s Skibowl is America’s largest night ski area with 35 lighted runs – one of four ski resorts on the mountain that give winter sports enthusiasts plenty of room to roam.

Just north of the mountain, Hood River has quickly gained international recognition as a home base for the world’s most passionate action and adventure sports enthusiasts. Windsurfing and kiteboarding in particular have become the hallmarks of the Gorge, which has twice served as the host of the U.S. Windsurfing Championships.

Cut from volcanic lava thousands of years ago, the gaping Columbia River Gorge is full of majestic waterfalls, jaw-dropping cliffs and towering evergreens. While windsurfing introduced the Gorge to the world, the region is also a Mecca for hiking, mountain biking, cycling, kayaking and sailing. In the years to come, the Gorge may very well add to its already impressive international sailing resume as efforts are underway to develop a new sail park in Cascade Locks.

Learn more about this spectacular region by visiting the links provided to the right, and then continue your journey in equally impressive Central Oregon.