Traveling to the coast this spring, but tired of the same attractions? We have you covered.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’re headed back to the north Oregon coast to explore some overlooked attractions, just in time for spring break.

There’s nothing wrong with Cannon Beach and the Tillamook Creamery, but have you seen the spectacular beauty of Niagara Falls? Stood beneath the Rockaway Big Tree? Spied upon elk at Jewell Meadows?

If you’re itching to try something new, you’ve come to the right place. There’s a lot more to see on the north coast than rocks shaped like haystacks.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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For some skiers, it’s not as easy as heading up to the mountain, strapping on a pair of skis and hitting the slopes.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we speak with Carl Burnett, an adaptive ski racer who has been working with Oregon Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking down the barriers faced by athletes with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.

In winter, the organization heads to three Oregon ski areas to give people access to specialized equipment and training that might be otherwise be difficult to access. In summer, they do the same thing on cycling, hiking and mountain bike trails in central Oregon.

According to Burnett, the mission is not just about helping skiers with disabilities, but showing the rest of the community what’s possible.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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Snowshoeing is one of the best ways to get out and active during the winter, especially for those who don’t ski or snowboard regularly. For co-host Vickie Connor, the activity seemed like the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the winter, especially as someone who is wary of knee injuries, after an ACL tear years ago.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Vickie chats with co-host Jamie Hale about her first snowshoeing experience on Mt. Baker, as well as the rest of her roadtrip there.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

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-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we catch up with former host, Jim Ryan. Jim takes us through his nordic ski trip on the Methow Valley trail system, near Winthrop, Washington, for the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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What’s better than spending a snow day with a pack of happy pups?

Visitors to central Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor can have that experience by booking a sled dog ride with Oregon Trail of Dreams, an organization run by professional mushers in Bend.

Currently run by Rachael Scdoris, the first legally blind person to finish the Iditarod, the one-hour rides offer a brief introduction into the fascinating world of dog sledding. Hop in a sled and you can enjoy some time with a few of her nearly 100 Alaskan huskies, who clearly love what they do.

Whether you’ve always dreamed of this kind of adventure, or simply enjoy finding new ways to get outside in the winter, the dog sled rides are guaranteed fun in central Oregon.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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An annular solar eclipse is crossing Oregon this fall, and whether you’re an eclipse-head or a casual stargazer, you’ll probably want to go check it out.

The eclipse isn’t happening until Oct. 14, but if you want to see it, you’d do well to start planning now. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk all about how to prepare for the big cosmic event.

Because while the annual solar eclipse won’t be quite as awesome as the total solar eclipse from 2017, it will still be a spectacular sight to behold, creating a “ring of fire” in the sky above Oregon.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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This episode first aired on January 14, 2021.

We all know that nature can be healing, but sometimes it’s not just as easy as going outside.

On this week’s episode of the Peak Northwest podcast, we spoke with Zoë Presley, a Portland-based psychotherapist and forest therapy guide, to help us understand how best to find healing in the great outdoors.

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, political unrest and economic stress, there are a lot of good reasons to seek refuge in nature right now. And while outdoor recreation can be great for physical health, going outside can also help heal trauma, depression, anxiety and other mental or emotional health issues.

Accessing that kind of healing sometimes requires a completely different approach to spending time outside. Fortunately, there are plenty of places around the Pacific Northwest to practice.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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The dream of snowboarding or skiing down fresh, untouched powder in the backcountry is well and alive at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in northeast Oregon. All with the help of a powder cat.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest podcast, we hear from one of The Oregonian/Oregon Live’s sports editors, Tim Brown, as he recounts his first cat-snowboarding experience at Anthony Lakes, for the latest installment of My Epic Adventure, a sub-series of the podcast.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Vickie Connor and Jamie Hale

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Those used to the lush rainforests of western Oregon might be tempted to think there’s little to see on the more arid side of the Cascade Mountains. The High Desert Museum is here to prove that notion wrong.

Located just south of Bend, the museum has spent the last 40 years introducing visitors to the nature, art and people of eastern Oregon.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we speak to Dana Whitelaw, executive director of the museum, about the permanent and rotating exhibitions, as well as the resident animals that make the museum so special.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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If you’ve only ever seen the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, you may be missing out.

While most visitors to Oregon’s waterfall wonderland are content to stick to the famous Trail of Ten Falls, there are also more than 35 miles of backcountry trails to explore, winding their way through the bulk of the 9,200-acre state park.

A day or overnight trip to the backcountry is an easy way to find solitude in one of Oregon’s busiest parks, whether you’re hiking, mountain biking or riding horseback. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we’ll take you to the trails, cabins and trees that make up this quiet adventure.

Here are some highlights from this week’s show:

Subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

-- Jamie Hale and Vickie Connor

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