Tag: Mt. Hood Ski Bowl

Get in the Olympic Spirit: Where to Watch & Play 

The eyes of the sporting world are on northern Italy as the 2026 Winter Olympic games are being held in and around Milan. The best of the best will compete in winter sports including ice hockey, curling, skiing, figure skating, bobsled and luge. If the anticipation of the games or viewing the games gets you in the mood to try out some of the sports or become a spectator, here’s some places to check out: 

Ice Hockey: The leading contenders for medals this year include the USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland. If you want to catch some exciting NHL action stateside, consider these teams when glamping nearby: 

If you’re glamping in Florida, you can attend a Tampa Bay Lightning or Florida Panthers game. The Panthers, the league’s back-to-back defending champs (they won the Stanley Cup in both 2024 and 2025), play their home games at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Nearby glamping accommodations can be found at Encore Miami Everglades. Benchmark International Area is where you can catch a Tampa Bay Lightning game, and Encore Forest Lake Village is a great place to glamp if you’re planning to catch this three-time Stanley Cup winning team. Several players currently on the roster for each team will represent their respective home countries in the Olympic games. Other NHL teams with an opportunity to glamp nearby include the Las Vegas Kings (glamp at Thousand Trails Las Vegas); the San Jose Sharks (glamp at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill) and the LA Kings (glamp at Thousand Trails Soledad Canyon).  Several players currently on NHL team rosters will represent their respective home countries in the Olympic games. 

Cabin at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill
Cabin at Thousand Trails Morgan Hill

Figure Skating: If you want to try out your axel, toe loop and salchow, that means you want to take to the ice. Houston’s Ice at the Galleria, located inside Houston’s Galleria Mall, can be a spot to at least put on a pair of skates and try your best. Stay at Thousand Trails Lake Conroe to be near this opportunity. Glamp at Thousand Trails Russian River to check out California’s Snoopy’s Home Ice, an indoor ice arena in nearby Santa Rosa. Enjoy outdoor ice skating at Curry Village Ice Skating Rink located within California’s Yosemite National park. Book a stay at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes to take to the ice here.  

Snowy Cabin at Tahoe Valley Campground
Snowy Cabin at Tahoe Valley Campground

Skiing/Snowboarding: Aside from a tremendous amount of talent and training, to ski and snowboard with the best you need some great “powder” and maybe a few moguls. If you fancy yourself as a mini Lindsey Vonn (three time Olympic medalist in downhill skiing) or Shaun White (five-time snowboarding Olympian), head to these slopes near our glamping locations. In Washington, glamp at Thousand Trails Thunderbird and take the drive to The Summit at Snowqualmie or stay at the Leavenworth Tiny House Village and enjoy skiing at Leavenworth Ski Hill. Another tiny house glamping option would be the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village to be near the excellent skiing at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl and the Timberline Lodge. California’s Lake Tahoe area has plenty of skiing/snowboard options so book a stay at Tahoe Valley Campground and see which ski hills align with your skill level.  

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5 Things to Do in the Mt. Hood Area

If you’re heading to Oregon’s Mt. Hood area in the next month or so, your agenda most likely involves skiing or winter trail hiking. But this area has something to offer any season you visit and we’re taking a look. Of course, your visit here won’t be perfect unless you book one of the amazing accommodations at Mt. Hood Village in Welches – from yurts to cabins, cottages and tiny houses, there are plenty of choices for your glamping getaway here.


1. Winter Activities: How about five different ski areas with 4,500 miles of skiable terrain for the ultimate ski trip? That’s what you’ll find in this region. From the legendary Mt. Hood Ski Bowl to the historic Timberline Lodge, there’s lots of powder to schuss in here. Mt. Hood is also great for sledding, tubing, and snowboarding. Cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails are another option. Trillium Lake has a great trail with views of Mt. Hood and beginner cross-country skiers should definitely check out Mt. Hood Meadows Nordic Center which offers lessons and rentals.

Interior of Anderson Tiny Home at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Anderson Tiny Home at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

2. Timberline Lodge: Speaking of the historic Timberline Lodge, whether you plan to enjoy the snow sports, or not, this is a destination worth a visit. The Lodge was built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in September of that year. The Lodge is open for public viewing daily and there are several restaurants open to the public. Another fun fact – the exterior shots of The Shining were actually shot here!

3. View Mt. Hood: Of course, this 11,239 foot peak is visible if you just look up, but how about checking out the highest point in Oregon from some of the best viewpoints around? The Timberline Trail at the aforementioned Timberline Lodge is one place to get a great view. Come summer, Elk Meadows is not only a great place to see Mt. Hood, but also a spot to get your fill of the wildflowers that bloom, among them lupines and asters. If you want to take an easy route, drive to Trillium Lake where views of the mountain across the picturesque lake are really incredible.

4. Explore local wineries: While Welches is less than 90 miles from the Oregon wine country known as the Willamette Valley, there are some great wineries to be found right in the area. To learn about the Mt. Hood Wine Trail, which is actually in the northeast corner of the Willamette Valley, and the more than a dozen wineries that can be found along the way, check out mthoodterritory.com/winetrail.

Portland, Oregon at sunset
Portland, Oregon

5. Keep it weird in Portland: Day-trippin’ to Portland is a real possibility when you’re glamping at Mt. Hood Village. Oregon’s largest city is just under 90 miles from the Mt. Hood area and much of the drive can be done via the scenic byway. If you want to make this scenic drive just once during your stay, then consider these must-do’s for a day in Portland: the Portland Japanese Garden, the Portland Rose Garden, Powell’s Books (which spans an entire block), and the historic Pittock Mansion. If you’re hungry, definitely have a cup of coffee from an indie roaster (Portland is one of the top coffee cities in the country according to wallethub.com) and partake in some of the best donuts in the country (for some reason Portland is also known for their donuts). Voodoo Doughnuts, which also offers vegan options, is one hot spot while Blue Star is known for its boutique, and unique, flavors like creme brulee and blueberry bourbon basil.

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

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