A Winter Trip To The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort

By Guest Author: West Livaudais

A week before Christmas, our family set out on a windy, wet drive to the Mt. Hood Oregon Mt Hood Resort in Welches for an overnight escape. I was eager to explore this lesser-known forest resort destination. I’d heard its amenities were accessible and comfortable with a touch of rugged lux — just my vibe! The rooms circle a common area of northwest vegetation with walking paths to an outdoor hot tub and heated pool. Yes, yes and yes! This sounded like the perfect remedy for the moody, wet dark weather.

Despite the short blustery drive, in one hour we were nestled in the forest of Welches in the foothills on the west side of Mt. Hood along the Salmon River. This little town feels less like a town and more like a clearing in the woods — a quiet mountain community shaped by weather, trees and the steady rhythm of Highway 26 carrying people to and from Mt. Hood. Here, the forest is never far from your doorstep, and storms leave their mark.

The mountain town around the resort was without power, so the glimmer of Christmas lights reflecting off the wet pavement was especially welcomed and cheerful. It felt like crossing a threshold — from storm to shelter. Inside, the lobby was warm and invited us with a tall, beautifully decorated Christmas tree. My kids immediately delighted in spotting Santa’s legs dangling playfully from the massive stone chimney.

The staff welcomed us with kindness — and meal vouchers to Altitude Restaurant. After settling into our room, we made our way to Altitude for dinner. The resort itself doesn’t feel like a typical hotel. It’s arranged as clusters of townhouse-style cabins connected by paved walkways that wind through dense forest. Even in the rain and darkness, the campus felt peaceful and thoughtfully laid out.

The Mt. Hood Oregon Resort is thoughtfully laid out and peaceful.

Our ADA room looked out on a densely wooded courtyard, the evergreens standing close and quiet beyond the window. Inside, the room offered the basics that make accessible travel possible: a roll-in shower with a bench, low beds with clearance for a Hoyer lift and doors that weren’t heavily spring-loaded — small details that made moving bags and equipment noticeably easier.

That night, the outdoor pool and hot tub glowed in the dark. Steam rose into the cold air as people splashed and laughed beneath the lights. It looked joyful and inviting. While the pool is technically accessible, it relies on a portable lift that must be moved into place and operated by staff. When I asked about using it, no one could confirm whether it was working. And thanks to the storm the the battery was currently broken. Which is a great travel tip that when staying at a hotel, if the pool or hot tub is central to your visit and you need the lift, it’s worth calling ahead — asking when it was last tested and letting staff know you plan to use it during your stay so they can be prepared.

The next morning felt like a gift. The clouds had cleared, and soft winter light filtered through the trees. We took a slow walk around the campus, breathing in the crisp mountain air and soaking up the beauty of the Mt. Hood forest. Limbs and trees were down from the week’s windstorms, but even in its messiness, the forest was stunning. Moss-covered trunks, filtered sunlight and the quiet after the storm made everything feel grounded and calm.

A walk after the windstorm showed the power of the mountain, but even then the forest was stunning.

With many nearby businesses in Welches still without power, we headed back down the mountain to Sandy for breakfast. We landed at AntFarm Cafe and Bakery, a warm, welcoming, kid-friendly spot that was spacious and easy to navigate with lots of tables, delicious food, coffee and a dedicated kid’s corner where our children could play while we lingered over breakfast. We later found out that AntFarm is a nonprofit organization that helps support local youth through service work, tutoring, life skills and employment. Thoughtful, community-centered and genuinely enjoyable, AntFarm Cafe easily earned a 4.5-star rating from me.

Winter in the Pacific Northwest can be relentless — dark, wet and cold. Every once in a while, you need to step out of survival mode and into a place that feels warm and held. For our family, this short escape to Welches and the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort offered exactly that: a pause between storms, a little holiday magic and the quiet comfort of being together beneath towering trees.

AntFarm Cafe and Bakery provides so many goodies and sandwiches to choose from.