14-Day SuperVan Winter Adventure: Pacific Northwest Winter Escape

Embark on an unforgettable 14-day winter journey through the Pacific Northwest’s snow-draped landscapes, from volcanic calderas to alpine peaks. Perfect for families and adventurers (ages 10–65), this 800-mile trip for 14 participants plus 3 staff (1 cook, 2 camp leaders) blends thrilling winter sports—snowshoeing, cross-country (XC) skiing, downhill skiing, and snowmobiling—with cozy camping in four-season tents and a luxurious Airstream base camp for meals, baths, and group bonding. Starting at PDX Airport and ending at SeaTac, expect scenic drives, a helicopter tour, and beginner-friendly activities amidst January’s crisp 20–40°F weather. Gear is provided, tents are set up by leaders, and meals are crafted by our dedicated cook. Let’s explore!

Day 1: PDX Airport to Crater Lake’s Snowy Caldera

Stop: PDX Airport to Crater Lake South Entrance (Mazama Village, OR)
Summary: Your adventure begins at PDX Airport (~noon, Friday) with a thrilling split: 8 participants soar on a 2–3-hour helicopter tour over Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier, landing at Crater Lake’s dazzling, snow-covered caldera. The other 6 enjoy a scenic 4-hour van drive (250 mi, Hwy 62) through Oregon’s frosty forests. Reunite for an easy 2–3-mile snowshoe to Wizard Island viewpoint, marveling at the deep-blue lake framed by volcanic cliffs.
Activity: Easy snowshoeing (family-friendly).
Camp: Mazama Village Campground—cozy four-season tents and a heated Airstream for warm drinks and group intros.
Drive: 250 mi (vans); 0 mi (helicopter).
Photo: A vibrant aerial shot of Crater Lake’s sapphire waters encircled by snow-dusted cliffs, captured from the helicopter tour, with Wizard Island glowing under a winter sunset.

Day 2: Crater Lake’s Winter Wonderland

Stop: Crater Lake National Park (Mazama Village, OR)
Summary: Spend a full day immersed in Crater Lake’s serene beauty. Morning brings beginner-friendly XC skiing on 1–2-mile groomed trails, gliding through snow-laden pines. Afternoon, snowshoe 2–3 miles (moderate) to Wizard Island viewpoint for jaw-dropping lake vistas. Gather in the Airstream for hot cocoa and group storytelling under starry skies.
Activity: XC skiing, snowshoeing.
Camp: Mazama Village Campground (same site, tents/Airstream).
Drive: Minimal (local trails).
Photo: A group of skiers gliding along a groomed trail, framed by snow-covered evergreens and Crater Lake’s shimmering rim in the background.

Day 3: Newberry Caldera’s Snowy Lava Fields

Stop: Newberry Caldera (near Bend, OR)
Summary: Journey north (2.5 hrs, 130 mi, Hwy 97) through Oregon’s snowy High Desert to Newberry Caldera. After lunch, rev up for a 2-hour guided snowmobile tour (ages 10+), zipping across lava fields and Cascade foothills. Feel the thrill of winter exploration amidst volcanic landscapes.
Activity: Snowmobiling.
Camp: Tumalo State Park—riverside tents and Airstream comfort with Deschutes River views.
Drive: 130 mi.
Photo: A snowmobiler in action, kicking up powdery snow against a backdrop of rugged lava fields and distant, snow-capped Cascade peaks.

Day 4: Mt. Bachelor’s Alpine Slopes

Stop: Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort (near Bend, OR)
Summary: A quick 20-minute drive (40 mi round-trip) takes you to Mt. Bachelor for a full day of downhill skiing. With slopes for all levels (including a kids’ area) and stunning 9,000-ft alpine views, everyone finds their pace. Beginners can take it slow, while thrill-seekers carve steeper runs.
Activity: Downhill skiing.
Camp: Tumalo State Park (same site, tents/Airstream).
Drive: 40 mi round-trip.
Photo: A skier carving down a powdery slope at Mt. Bachelor, with panoramic Cascade Range vistas stretching under a clear winter sky.

Day 5: Hoodoo’s Forested Trails

Stop: Hoodoo Ski Area (Santiam Pass, OR)
Summary: Drive 2 hours (100 mi, Hwy 97/20) through snow-dusted McKenzie Pass to Hoodoo Ski Area. Spend the afternoon XC skiing on 10–20-km groomed trails (beginner to intermediate), weaving through volcanic peaks and old-growth forests. The serene scenery feels like a winter postcard.
Activity: XC skiing.
Camp: Santiam Sno-Park—forested tents and Airstream coziness.
Drive: 100 mi.
Photo: A skier gliding through a snowy forest trail at Hoodoo, with volcanic peaks peeking through towering, snow-laden pines.

Day 6: Frozen Falls and Mt. Hood’s Majesty

Stops: Proxy Falls (Willamette NF) to Trillium Lake (Mt. Hood, OR)
Summary: Start with a 2–3-mile snowshoe (moderate) to Proxy Falls’ frozen cascades, sparkling like crystal in the morning light. Drive 2 hours (90 mi, Hwy 20/26) to Mt. Hood, then snowshoe 1 mile (easy) around Trillium Lake, soaking in alpine meadows and Mt. Hood’s towering presence.
Activity: Snowshoeing.
Camp: Frog Lake Campground—lakeside tents and Airstream warmth.
Drive: 90 mi.
Photo: A group snowshoeing near Proxy Falls, with frozen waterfalls glistening against mossy basalt cliffs under a soft winter glow.

Day 7: Timberline Lodge’s Snowy Slopes

Stop: Timberline Lodge (Mt. Hood, OR)
Summary: Head to historic Timberline Lodge for a full day of downhill skiing on Palmer Snowfield (all levels, kids’ lessons available). Ski with glacier views, then warm up with fondue night in the Airstream, sharing laughs in the cozy glow.
Activity: Downhill skiing.
Camp: Frog Lake Campground (same site, tents/Airstream).
Drive: 20 mi round-trip.
Photo: A skier descending Palmer Snowfield, with Timberline Lodge’s rustic facade and Mt. Hood’s snowy peak in the background.

Day 8: Nordic Trails to Dog Mountain’s Vistas

Stops: Mt. Hood Nordic Center to Dog Mountain (Columbia Gorge, WA)
Summary: Morning XC skiing (5 km, groomed) at Mt. Hood Nordic Center, gliding through quiet forests. Drive 1.5 hours (60 mi, Hwy 35/I-84 W) to Columbia Gorge, then snowshoe 3 miles (moderate) on Dog Mountain, marveling at frozen waterfalls and basalt cliffs.
Activity: XC skiing, snowshoeing.
Camp: Ainsworth State Park—riverfront tents and Airstream relaxation.
Drive: 60 mi.
Photo: Snowshoers on Dog Mountain, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge’s icy waterfalls and rugged cliffs under a crisp winter sky.

Day 9: Ape Cave’s Volcanic Adventure

Stop: Ape Cave (Gifford Pinchot NF, WA)
Summary: Drive 2 hours (100 mi, I-84/I-5 N) to Mt. St. Helens’ volcanic landscape. Enjoy a 1–2-hour guided snowmobile tour through the blast zone, exploring snowy lava tubes and dramatic dome views.
Activity: Snowmobiling.
Camp: Iron Creek Campground—forested tents and Airstream comfort.
Drive: 100 mi.
Photo: A snowmobiler speeding through Mt. St. Helens’ blast zone, with the volcano’s snowy dome rising against a stark winter horizon.

Day 10: Mt. Rainier’s Glacial Trails

Stop: Nisqually Vista Trail (Mt. Rainier NP, WA)
Summary: Drive 2.5 hours (120 mi, Hwy 12) to Mt. Rainier National Park. Snowshoe 2 miles (easy, kid-friendly) on Nisqually Vista Trail, surrounded by glaciers and subalpine meadows. Mt. Rainier’s majesty steals the show.
Activity: Snowshoeing.
Camp: Cougar Rock Campground—meadow tents and Airstream coziness.
Drive: 120 mi.
Photo: A family snowshoeing on Nisqually Vista Trail, with Mt. Rainier’s glacier-capped peak towering over snowy meadows.

Day 11: Paradise’s Snowy Serenity

Stop: Paradise Area (Mt. Rainier NP, WA)
Summary: Spend a full day at Paradise, choosing between XC skiing or snowshoeing on 5–10-km groomed trails (all levels). Revel in epic views of Rainier’s peak and snowy meadows, followed by a relaxed Airstream evening with warm drinks.
Activity: XC skiing, snowshoeing.
Camp: Cougar Rock Campground (same site, tents/Airstream).
Drive: Minimal.
Photo: A skier pausing on a Paradise trail, gazing at Mt. Rainier’s snow-covered summit under a vibrant winter sunrise.

Day 12: Hurricane Ridge’s Alpine Vistas

Stop: Hurricane Ridge (Olympic NP, WA)
Summary: Drive 3 hours (140 mi, I-5/Hwy 101, optional ferry for views) to Olympic National Park. Snowshoe 1–2 miles (easy) at Hurricane Ridge, soaking in ridge-top vistas from rainforest to alpine peaks.
Activity: Snowshoeing.
Camp: Heart O' the Hills Campground—forested tents and Airstream warmth.
Drive: 140 mi.
Photo: Snowshoers at Hurricane Ridge, with sweeping Olympic Mountain views and snow-dusted evergreens under a golden winter light.

Day 13: Olympic Trails to Seattle’s Coastal Charm

Stops: Olympic Nordic Trails (near Port Angeles) to Discovery Park (Seattle, WA)
Summary: Start with morning XC skiing on short, groomed Olympic Nordic Trails. Drive 2 hours (80 mi, Hwy 101/I-5 N) to Seattle, then enjoy a 2-mile snowshoe or light walk at Discovery Park, blending beach, forest, and city skyline views.
Activity: XC skiing, snowshoeing/light walk.
Camp: Dash Point State Park—beachfront tents and Airstream relaxation.
Drive: 80 mi.
Photo: A group walking Discovery Park’s snowy trails, with Seattle’s skyline and Puget Sound shimmering in the distance.

Day 14: Farewell at SeaTac

Stop: SeaTac Airport (Seattle, WA)
Summary: Savor a final Airstream breakfast and group reflection, sharing memories of your PNW adventure. A short 20-minute drive (20 mi) to SeaTac Airport wraps up the trip, with final views of Washington’s snowy peaks.
Activity: None (travel day).
Camp: None (departure).
Drive: 20 mi.
Photo: The group gathered around the Airstream at Dash Point, smiling with snow-dusted mountains and a sunrise over Puget Sound in the background.

Why Choose SuperVan Winter Adventure?

• Scenic Routes: ~800 miles of breathtaking PNW drives (Hwy 97, 101, 20), averaging 2–4 hours/day, optimized for winter views.

• Inclusive Activities: Beginner-to-moderate winter sports (gear provided) suit ages 10–65, from snowshoeing to downhill skiing.

• Cozy Camping: Four-season tents (set up by leaders) and a heated Airstream for meals, baths, and bonding ensure comfort in 20–40°F weather.

• Helicopter Thrill: Day 1’s optional helicopter tour (8 spots) offers aerial views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and Crater Lake.