With Halloween behind us, the days getting shorter, and a chill in the air, it's hard to ignore the festive winter season that is fast approaching. Cities have started announcing their winter festivals and ski resorts are starting to fill up with customers. In the Pacific NorthwestWinter never fails to bring snowy landscapes, cozy resorts, and festive holiday events, making it difficult to choose the perfect escape. But have no fear! These eight destinations have something for everyone, whether you're hitting the slopes or sipping hot chocolate by the fire.
Sisters, Oregon
Close to several mountains and ski areas, Sisters comes alive during the winter months. Skiers often flock to Mt. Bachelor, one of the largest ski resorts in the North Americaor Hoodoo Ski Area, which has dozens of ski slopes and a snow tubing park. Black Butte Ranch is also just a 10-minute drive from Sisters and hosts many holiday events in December, including horse-drawn carriage rides, breakfast with Santa, and Christmas dinner. To warm up after a day on the slopes, visitors can also grab a cocktail or vodka at Cascade Street Distillery, or get a well-deserved massage at Shibui Spa.
Winthrop, Washington
Winthrop, affectionately known as “that of Washington Snowy Paradise,” offers almost every winter activity imaginable. It is particularly popular with cross-country skiers due to its extensive 120 miles of cross-country and Nordic trails. In town, near the Methow River and the public library, Winthrop also has a popular outdoor skating rink, with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. In addition to its outdoor winter recreation activities, Winthrop has a number of cozy breweries and wineries for you to enjoy during the winter months, such as The Old Schoolhouse Brewery and The Wine Shed, which offers more of 600 varieties of wine.
McCall, Idaho
McCall, Idaho is an ideal winter vacation destination for couples and families, offering beautiful snow-covered landscapes, cozy lodges and outdoor winter recreation. It also earned a spot on the map for its famous Winter Carnival, taking place in February 2025, which will include a snow sculpture competition, snowshoe golf, beer garden, pancake breakfast , fireworks on the lake, and much more. All winter long, McCall is a great option for snowmobiling, with over 500 miles of well-maintained trails and untouched areas waiting to be explored. If you're looking for a blend of traditional rustic charm and modern comfort, Shore Lodge is a perfect choice. It offers comfortable rooms and plenty of amenities, from hot tubs and a heated pool to a fire pit, theater, racquet rentals and more.
Summer Lake, Oregon
Summer Lake is located in the town of Paisley, Oregonand features ancient artesian hot springs, perfect for relaxing during the winter months. This 145-acre resort offers panoramic views of the surrounding desert and forests and offers rustic-style casitas and cabins available for lodging. Its hot mineral springs are associated with healing qualities due to their high silica content, leaving visitors' skin soft, silky and refreshed. There is also an indoor pool operating at 98℉ and outdoor rock pools at 104℉. Those wishing to hike can also visit the surrounding petroglyphs and archaeological sites.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Valley of the Sun is a popular resort that attracts countless visitors each winter, especially for skiing and snowboarding at Sun Valley Resort. The resort includes two mountains, the highest peaking at 9,150 meters, each mountain equipped with quality lifts and slopes. The city also hosts a number of winter events in December to get residents and visitors into the holiday spirit, including sleigh dinners, brunch with Santa, a gingerbread house competition and a Winter Wonderland launch celebration. On New Year's Eve, visitors can join the town for its annual Winter Ball!
Snoqualmie, Washington
Just half an hour's drive from SeattleSnoqualmie is a great weekend getaway for city dwellers. On Saturday, December 7, the city will host its “Winter Lights” event, which will include tree lighting, a jazz band, an ice sculptor demonstration, selfies with Santa and more, to immerse travelers in the holiday spirit. Traveling half an hour southeast, Snoqualmie Pass offers all kinds of outdoor recreation opportunities, including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing. The Sno-King Arena is also popular in the winter, as a public ice rink open to skaters of all abilities and ages.
Leavenworth, Washington
In addition to its snowy landscapes, Leavenworth has become one of the region's most renowned winter vacation destinations due to its Bavarian charm and Christmas lights. One of the busiest events is the annual Christmastown Festival, which this year runs from November 29 to December 24 and features more than half a million bright lights, a display of gingerbread houses, live music, a gift wrapping station, hot chocolate and more. Winter Karneval takes place on the weekend in January, featuring live ice sculptures, fireworks, fire dancing and a pub crawl. Year-round, travelers can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown Leavenworth, while winter offers sleigh rides and skiing on the Nordic slopes at Leavenworth Ski Hill.
Silverton, Oregon
Although Silverton is beautiful all year round, winter adds a special touch to its landscape. Silver Falls State Park is a perfect example, with waterfalls flowing more abundantly due to seasonal rains and far fewer people. Despite the colder months, the park remains surprisingly green, thanks to its mix of conifers and deciduous trees. From November 21 to December 31, the Silverton Christmas Market is another must-visit in town, with aisles draped in more than 1.5 million lights, German artisan vendors, a beer garden, a fire pit and tube slides. The Fireside Lounge at the Oregon Garden Resort is a nice place to spend a cool evening, with local live music, a light show, and pleasant drinks to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Even though winter brings long nights, more rain and cold weather to the Pacific Northwest, there's no reason to stay cooped up inside. With so many towns hosting holiday festivals and winter celebrations, there's always a small town worth visiting, as well as a snowy slope worth sledding down. Grab a warm jacket, fill a thermos with hot chocolate and don't forget your skis as you prepare to explore these eight fantastic winter destinations!
