Plenty of people take the Amtrak train from Portland to Seattle, but how many keep riding all the way to Canada?

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, our colleague Veronica Nocera recounts her recent train ride between Portland and Vancouver, B.C. (a route that resumed service in 2023), as well as her weekend north of the border.

Nocera, who has taken both a train and a plane between the two cities, offered some insights into the big differences between the two modes of transportation, and whether she’d recommend one over the other for Northwest travelers.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oregon is in the middle of a dark sky renaissance.

With new Dark Sky Parks, a pair of Dark Sky Communities and one massive Dark Sky Sanctuary, it seems like half of eastern Oregon has suddenly become dark sky country. But what does it mean?

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we dig into Oregon’s new push for astrotourism, and break down these new designations, all of which come from DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to the protection of the night sky.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It might not be a shocking revelation that traveling with a baby is a challenge. More shocking is that it’s perfectly doable.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, Jamie shares six travel lessons he’s learned from his first six months as a parent – they might not be what you think.

Traveling with babies, especially those younger than six months, can be a much different challenge than traveling with kids or even toddlers. Some of the best advice about family travel doesn’t necessarily apply to those who aren’t walking, eating or even sitting up on their own.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a very good year to be a skier in Oregon.

With snowpack at great levels as we near mid-winter, snow sports enthusiasts have been flocking to Oregon’s tallest mountain to take full advantage.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we talk all about skiing and snowboarding on Mount Hood, from the best places to rent gear, to navigating the sweeping terrain on the side of the mountain.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the new year, there are some new changes coming to the Peak Northwest podcast.

Chief among them is our new co-host, Chiara Profenna, the religion and culture reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive, who will be replacing longtime co-host Vickie Connor.

As we welcome Chiara to Peak Northwest, we bid a fond farewell to Vickie, who has been with the show for nearly three years. While she will no longer be the podcast’s full-time co-host, Vickie will remain onboard behind the scenes.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pacific Northwest stargazers have a lot to look forward to in 2025 – even if there’s no solar eclipse on the calendar.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we highlight some of this year’s must-see astronomical events, including a total lunar eclipse, planet parade and plenty of meteor showers to keep your eyes glued to the night sky.

Whether you’re an amateur astronomer or just enjoy looking up, there’s a lot to appreciate in the cosmos this year.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re looking for good fish and chips, you’d do well to stop in Astoria.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we stop by a few of Astoria’s best fish and chip shops, while discussing what it is that makes this place so good for fried fish and French fries. A trio of dedicated destinations show what makes this food scene shine.

Just make sure you don’t listen to this episode before lunch.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new year is here, which means it’s once again time to start dreaming and scheming up some fresh Pacific Northwest travels.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest we dip our toes into the 2025 Northwest Travel Guide, pulling out a few of the best places to visit and things to do around the region, from outdoor adventures to road trips and more.

It’s also time for our annual reminder: Book your travel now, before it’s too late!

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it about a Pacific Northwest forest?

From the smell to the air to the feeling you get among the trees, we talk all about our love of Northwest forests on this week’s episode of Peak Northwest.

Special guest Ross Reid, who’s known on social media as Nerdy About Nature, discusses the joy of educating people about forest ecology, and touches on the issues our regional forests face.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s nothing like a hot spring soak in the coldest, darkest days of the year.

Oregon, famously gray and/or chilly for a significant portion of the year, is thankfully home to a wealth of places to go soaking, spread out across scenic landscapes throughout the state.

On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we explore some of Oregon’s best and most beautiful places to soak, from the wellness spas in Portland to the rustic pools found way out in the high desert. Wherever you are in Oregon, there’s bound to be hot water nearby.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices