The Sunriver Resort Crosswater Golf Course features Mt. Bachelor views and Little Deschutes River ambience. Image courtesy COVA
Spring is one of the best times to hit the slopes here in Oregon—it’s what we think of as our second ski season. Ski areas offer dedicated spring passes to enjoy sun-soaked slopes and celebrate with spring-focused events and happenings. Simultaneously, Oregon’s award winning golf courses are opening for business. For many locals and visitors, the choice of whether to hit the slopes or hit the links isn’t an either/or proposition—it’s surprisingly easy to ski and ride in the morning and then hit a round of golf in the afternoon. Thanks to a huge 2017 snowpack, with more than 500 inches falling on resorts across Oregon, we expect the ski season to extend well into the golf season. Load up the ski and snowboard gear and dust off those clubs—it’s multisport season in Oregon.
Central Oregon enjoys a high desert climate and sunny skies thanks to the rain shadow effect of the Cascade Mountains, making it the undisputed leader in spring golf with over two-dozen golf courses in the vicinity of Mt. Bachelor, Hoodoo, and Willamette Pass ski areas. The earliest course to open is Meadow Lakes Golf Course in Prineville thanks to its elevation of about 2,600. The options open up quickly from there. Central Oregon Visitors Association (COVA) golf concierge can help with logistics, COVA offers complimentary trip planning services for golf at Black Butte Ranch, Pronghorn, Tetherow and Sunriver Resort including assistance with booking and lodging options. Current specials include unlimited spring golf packages starting at $79 at Sunriver Resort. COVA also offers a Bucket List package, which includes a 3-night stay at one of Central Oregon’s luxury resorts and three rounds of golf at one of Golf Digest’s Top 100 courses, which include Sunriver Resort Crosswater, Pronghorn Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and Tetherow.
Oh yeah! Bring on the spring slush conditions! Image courtesy of Mt. Hood Meadows
If you just can’t decide on which courses to golf, try them all out with the Central Oregon Golf Trail Players Card. This $169 player cards grants golfers a half-off discount on afternoon green fees at 15 Central Oregon golf courses. Combine this discount with cost-saving lift ticket specials being offered on spring skiing at many Oregon resorts for a surprisingly affordable getaway.
Mt. Bachelor is even offering a fun twist on golf and ski with the annual Mt. Bachelor Snowgolf Tournament on Sunday, April 23, 2017. Golfers make their way down a 9-hole “course” off the Pine Marten lift, clicked or strapped into skis, snowboards or telemark skis with a tennis ball.
Willamette Pass Resort will have the lifts spinning weekends in April through Easter. Hoodoo Ski Area is operating Thursday through Monday through April 23, 2017, and Mt. Bachelor’s season is extended through May 28, 2017.
Further south at Mt. Ashland near the California border, Centennial Golf Club is offering two-night stay and play specials starting at just $159 per night. Nearby Quail Point specials start at $131 per night. Mt. Ashland has received over 350-inches of snow this season and will remain open weekends through April 16, 2017.
Majestic Mt. Hood views from Indian Creek Golf Course.
Mornings on the slopes of Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline Lodge & Ski Area, and Mt. Hood Skibowl easily transition to afternoons on the links at golf courses in nearby Welches and Hood River. The Resort At The Mountain in Welches, Oregon features 27 holes and is offering a Max Golf special through May 31 for $75 Sunday through Thursday and $99 on weekends. There are three public golf courses in the vicinity of Hood River—the Indian Creek Golf Course, Hood River Golf Course, and Elk Ridge Golf Course. Stay centrally at the Collins Lake Resort, which is offering a spring deal for a free third night lodging through April 16, or Best Western Plus Hood River Inn with Columbia river views.
Mt. Hood Meadows ski season is through May 7, 2017. Timberline’s regular season extends through Memorial Day, reopening on the upper mountain June 1 through Labor Day.
From the majestic Cascade views to the incredible climate diversity from summit to valley, spring skiing and golfing in Oregon is an experience like no other. Explore more of Oregon skiing at Skioregon.org.
