8 Best Towns in The Pacific Northwest for a Winter Getaway
Wintertime in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is one of the most underrated opportunities for adventure. From skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing to soak in the view to snowmobiling to zip through the scenery, you can also soak in the indulging Bozeman Hot Springs while staring at the snowy views. There are many islands in Washington for remote escape throughout the PNW. There is a wintertime getaway calling your name, so let one of these eight towns make your holiday season the most unforgettable yet while exploring the PNW!
Following chilly, overcast days, nothing feels better than welcoming inns, hotels, and B&Bs, fine dining restos, or breweries and bars to celebrate your style. Heceta Head Lighthouse in Yachats hosts a Victorian Christmas celebration, while the seasonal "Red Wine & Chocolate'' event takes place at five venues on Whidbey Island! You can curl up the next day in the cafe with hot chocolate or one of the many outdoor beer and heated patios in Hood River before snowshoeing and skiing on Mt. Hood!
Ashland, Oregon
Mother Nature loves Jackson County, making Ashland, the epicenter, a real paradise for the outdoors, no matter snow or shine. When it seems like nothing can top the fall foliage here, Ashland turns on a real winter wonderland mode, peeking from under the blanket with a sneaky face and heart full of cheer. The surrounding Siskiyou Mountains appeal to skiers, sightseers, and photographers, as well as couples on a stroll through the downtown holiday glow! Out of the many inns, Arden Forest Inn is central, cozy, has a delicious breakfast, and is just a hop to the top-rated Chozu Bath & Tea Gardens!
Towering nearby, Mount Ashland is just under an hour away for outdoor activities like skiing and snowshoeing, with dense forests and beautiful for you to step out into the wintery fairy tale from the doorstep! One of many, Lithia Park, lets you experience the beauty firsthand just west along the main street from the ever-popular Morning Glory Cafe, with its Butler-Perozzi Fountain and 100 strollable park acres. Home to the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, you can meander along the trails, a creek, and a stunning Japanese garden, as well as historical landmarks throughout.
Bozeman, Montana
In Bozeman, the western mountain town, you are primed at the gateway to Yellowstone and a choice of three world-class ski resorts within an hour! Boasting an abundance of annual snowfall, there is skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling in the peaking northern and western sections of the park and more untouched backcountry, with hundreds of miles of trails and unreal scenery throughout! Bridger Bowl appeals to budget skiers, with a more laidback atmosphere than the alternative and a low-crowd bonus along plentiful terrain, including truly radical steeps from the ridges above the lifts!
Big Sky Ski & Summer Resort encompasses Moonlight Basin, together comprising the largest ski area of around 5,700 acres—a true resort destination with one of the largest vertical drops in North America and a rich apres ski scene! The town full of outdoor lovers is never sleepy like the vibrant Main Street, a foodie’s paradise with concerts and weekly local events! Just 15 minutes from here, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) welcomes new and returning visitors with quick access to The LARK and the Rialto music venue. You can stay at the sweet C'mon Inn near all the enticing bars, restaurants, and five breweries, as well as the indulging Bozeman Hot Springs, to soak in the snowy views.
Hood River, Oregon
Hood River, the home of the scenic Columbia River Gorge, is a wonderland town with many winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing at Mt. Hood. With heated patio venues and outdoor beers and wine tastings, it is easy to enjoy the glorious time of year while relaxing during some of the most beautiful, crisp, and sunny winter days! The cozy downtown area transforms into a vibrant affair through dining selections and craft breweries to celebrate the holiday season in your style. From the Hood River Waterfront Park to the Cathedral Ridge Winery just west, there is something for everyone in the fresh air!
A wintertime home turf for extreme sports and outdoor enthusiasts to frolic in the snow, there is the great, vast wilderness and many ski resorts on Mt. Hood, such as the famous Timberline Lodge. From romantic getaways to family trips, Hood River has rentals that will fit even your kids and grandma, so get your gear on and explore the incredible Pacific Northwest!
Island Park, Idaho
This tiny town in the heart of the Rocky Mountains offers a getaway full of wintertime recreation in the crispy, fresh pine air. As a unique community along Route 20, Island Park is an underrated gem often overlooked, snaking along the highway, which means crowd-less activities like snowmobiling and snowshoeing to cross-country skiing. Among inns like Pond's Lodge, there are many snuggle-worthy cabins.
Prepare for the snow, as this region boasts an average of 200 inches of snow every year! North of town, Island Park Village Clubhouse is great for strolls with open landscape views, while the nearby popular High Mountain Adventures and Sam Patch Co. Grocery and Sundries get you geared up and snacking for great outdoor experiences!
Leavenworth, Washington
This jolly, holly town, full of holiday cheer sounding from within the state's Cascade Mountains, is hands down among the top winter destinations in the Pacific Northwest! Featuring adorable German-inspired houses and local businesses, you will find cozy cafes, authentic restaurants, souvenir shops, and home decor stores, as well as rentals and gear shops to step out into the outdoors. For a longer stay in Washington’s most festive town, one- to two-bedroom condos under slanted roofs and great decks are perfect for families and couples to see the twinkling Christmas lights along the streets.
Sure, this town appears on countless lists, but the wintertime wonderland of a Bavarian village is not overrated! The authentic alpine atmosphere inspires endless strolls to awe and ooh over the over-the-top Christmas display, a gigantic tree, and a festive square with delicious smells wafting from stalls and fine dining restaurants. Leavenworth Ski Hill offers skiing for all levels, steps from holiday activities like gift stocking. Just two hours from Seattle, you can enjoy a weekend stay at PostHotel, with luxurious accommodations and a spa, or at the Bavarian Ritz Hotel, a charming and cozy option just off Main Street.
McCall, Idaho
Just two hours north of Boise, Idaho, McCall is off the forested highway with the Payette River through its heart. A hidden gem in the Idaho backwoods, it is Seattleite's favorite escape into wintertime action without crowds! The immense Payette Lake offers magnificent waterfront scenery, while Shore Lodge, the top-rated four-star hotel, offers the best views and lakeside access for strolls. The nearby bungalows along the same shore are a reliable and popular budget option.
With so much to do in this small town, you can fill a week with activities at a leisurely pace, including multiple ski resorts. There's the nearby Brundage Mountain Ski Resort, great for backwoods skiing, as well as the nearby Tamarack Ski Resort. The popular WorldMark McCall puts on a festive atmosphere for a cozy stay during the holidays, while Pueblo Lindo is an immensely popular restaurant with Spanish and Mexican cuisine right along the highway through the center of town.
Coupeville, Washington
This destination, ideal for summertime water lovers, is also perfect for those who don't like to get wet in the winter, with low average snowfall during the season! Just an hour from Seattle, Whidbey Island is home to Deception Pass State Park, with gorgeous views to explore on a scenic hike and warm up at the Front Street Grill in Coupeville, over a delicious meal. Home to less than 2,000, Coupeville aspires to the small-town escape you've been dreaming of in a remote environment with highway access from the mainland!
The island's beaches, including Double Bluff Beach, are a must-experience in wintertime tranquility—the Seattleites' favorite escape! The stunning Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is primed to explore Whidbey's serene farmland and small seaside villages. You are in for the time of your life at the seasonal "Red Wine & Chocolate" event, perfect for ambling between five venues in the fresh air! Offering rich reds and handcrafted spirits paired with chocolate, there are Holmes Harbor Cellars, Blooms Winery, Comforts of Whidbey Winery, Whidbey Island Distillery, and Spoiled Dog Winery!
Yachats, Oregon
Yachats, a mix of local Native words meaning "where the trail leaves the beach," offers a quintessential winter getaway along the gorgeous Oregon coast in its wintertime glory! Waving its "Gem of the Oregon Coast" moniker loud and proud in every season, Yachats designs your best romantic escape, a trip with friends, or your whole family! With unique historical sights, there's the Heceta Head Lighthouse, a must-see anytime, but the Heceta Head Lighthouse Victorian Christmas celebration is unforgettable, with holiday lights and live music in December.
There is the most popular Drift Inn Hotel and Restaurant, or you can stay at the highly rated Yachats Inn or the Dublin House with the best views and enjoy the always-relevant seafood at Luna Sea Fish House. The idyllic town aspires to a quiet sanctuary tucked against the temperate rainforest and Oregon Coastal Range. You can still enjoy weather-permitting hikes and come out for play amid rocks at the Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, beat down by the surging waves of the mighty Pacific!
The most underrated wintertime destination in the US, the PNW welcomes with its small towns and nature, both sedated and wild. While others head to Florida, Mexico, or the Caribbean, the PNW is packed full of stunning nature with easy access to marvelous food and memorable experiences for a unique wintertime itinerary.
Rugged yet friendly, these towns will tuck you in after your best ventures, where the holiday glow and cheer, unique in this region, extend in echoes to the surrounding landscapes. From mountains to the ocean, Oregon boasts king tides that trigger otherworldly wave-watching on the coast—an unreplicable wild atmosphere along the coast you can enjoy from blufftop viewpoints.
