The Great Welches Guidebook
Greatest place for a beer on the mountain
"It's a secret to everybody." This place is SO wonderful and no one seems to know about it. Built by the same folks that brought you the Timberline Lodge: huge fireplace, bavarian beers and backgammon on the middle of the mountain which means you can only reach it by ski lift from Ski Bowl (or a STRONG snow shoe) and it's only open during winter. 13 minutes away from the cabin without traffic. Pro tip: sometimes the card reader is frozen over so bring cash!
Historic Warming Hut
"It's a secret to everybody." This place is SO wonderful and no one seems to know about it. Built by the same folks that brought you the Timberline Lodge: huge fireplace, bavarian beers and backgammon on the middle of the mountain which means you can only reach it by ski lift from Ski Bowl (or a STRONG snow shoe) and it's only open during winter. 13 minutes away from the cabin without traffic. Pro tip: sometimes the card reader is frozen over so bring cash!
Food, drinks and music
Every Shire dwelling needs its Hobbit ale house and this is it. You must try the mac n cheese with salmon. Outdoor fire pits. Live music nightly. See who is playing tonight: https://skywaybarandgrill.com/live-music/
122 locals recommend
Skyway Bar & Grill
71545 E US-26Every Shire dwelling needs its Hobbit ale house and this is it. You must try the mac n cheese with salmon. Outdoor fire pits. Live music nightly. See who is playing tonight: https://skywaybarandgrill.com/live-music/
Do you karaoke? My westside neighbor also bought this place recently and gave it a remodel. I've heard only nice things about the fixes and I definitely dropped some serious John Denver bombs on that microphone.
13 locals recommend
Whistle Stop Bar & Grill
66674 US-26Do you karaoke? My westside neighbor also bought this place recently and gave it a remodel. I've heard only nice things about the fixes and I definitely dropped some serious John Denver bombs on that microphone.
Food, Drinks and Merriment
Japanese cuisine on the Mountain. Try the ginger plum whiskey in the summer or a warm sake in the winter. Toast those toes outside in their garden firepits, warming tent, chalet, or gas fireplace. The fried rice and tuna poke are my favorites.
47 locals recommend
Koya Kitchen
67886 US-26Japanese cuisine on the Mountain. Try the ginger plum whiskey in the summer or a warm sake in the winter. Toast those toes outside in their garden firepits, warming tent, chalet, or gas fireplace. The fried rice and tuna poke are my favorites.
AL FORNO FERRUZZA
73285 US-26Best pizza on the mountain hands down. Need I say more?
Mexican food and margaritas. My neighbor next door (west side) owns this establishment. It has been in a state of flux and I am hopeful he can bring it back to the glory days because this place was THE place for Mexican food on the mountain before they slid.
62 locals recommend
El Burro Loco
67211 US-26Mexican food and margaritas. My neighbor next door (west side) owns this establishment. It has been in a state of flux and I am hopeful he can bring it back to the glory days because this place was THE place for Mexican food on the mountain before they slid.
Local pub. Decent fried chicken, pool table, and a digital juke box. Come for the beer stay for the slug races in August and see who gets crowned "slug queen." No salt allowed.
26 locals recommend
Brightwood Tavern
63010 E Brightwood Br RdLocal pub. Decent fried chicken, pool table, and a digital juke box. Come for the beer stay for the slug races in August and see who gets crowned "slug queen." No salt allowed.
Dragonfly Cafe & Bakery
65000 US-26Old school breakfast done right.
I come here for the log cabin vibes and the bloody mary. The food is simple but tasty and they have big ol’ cinnamon rolls.
59 locals recommend
ZigZag Inn
70162 U.S. 26I come here for the log cabin vibes and the bloody mary. The food is simple but tasty and they have big ol’ cinnamon rolls.
Arcade games, foosball , pool, and beer. The bartender enjoys some Guns and Roses and will likely play it if/when requested. Fried bar food galore.
20 locals recommend
Pub 26
67350 E Welches RdArcade games, foosball , pool, and beer. The bartender enjoys some Guns and Roses and will likely play it if/when requested. Fried bar food galore.
Groceries
Everything you need, nothing you don't. Fill up your growler here. This is the only grocery store that will also sell you a snowboard.
82 locals recommend
Hoodland Thriftway
68280 US-26Everything you need, nothing you don't. Fill up your growler here. This is the only grocery store that will also sell you a snowboard.
Wine
Pick up or sit in wine bar - enjoy! Two minutes drive or a quick bike ride and take in the sights.
9 locals recommend
Cooper’s Wine Bar & Shop
24540 E Welches RdPick up or sit in wine bar - enjoy! Two minutes drive or a quick bike ride and take in the sights.
Ski Resorts
Due to COVID-19 you may need to RESERVE your ski day online before you arrive! Please check the various resort websites for additional information and don’t forget your sno park pass to park at these places! Head to Thriftway and you can buy an annual permit which costs $25, a 3–day permit which costs $9, and a daily permit which costs $4.
Wonderful ski area (longest ski season in the USA with skiing in the summer!) and a great bar. Little known fact: the lodge doubled as the exterior for Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining."
338 locals recommend
Timberline Lodge Ski Area
27500 E Timberline RoadWonderful ski area (longest ski season in the USA with skiing in the summer!) and a great bar. Little known fact: the lodge doubled as the exterior for Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining."
Best skiing on the mountain. The lodges are not as cozy as Timberline but that's changing -- new lodge opens soon!
160 locals recommend
Mt. Hood Meadows
14040 OR-35Best skiing on the mountain. The lodges are not as cozy as Timberline but that's changing -- new lodge opens soon!
Smallest/affordable ski resort with best alpine and steepest drops on the mountain. Cosmic tubing for the kiddos in the winter and an adventure park with bungee jumping, race cars, zip lines, and Alpine Slides in the Summer.
140 locals recommend
Mt. Hood Skibowl
87000 US-26Smallest/affordable ski resort with best alpine and steepest drops on the mountain. Cosmic tubing for the kiddos in the winter and an adventure park with bungee jumping, race cars, zip lines, and Alpine Slides in the Summer.
Sightseeing
Summer or winter one of the most delightful hikes for the family. The birds will literally swoop down and sit on your head/shoulders/toes. I'm not kidding. I have the video proof.
19 locals recommend
Mirror Lake
Summer or winter one of the most delightful hikes for the family. The birds will literally swoop down and sit on your head/shoulders/toes. I'm not kidding. I have the video proof.
Beautifully wooded and mossy hike. Several swimming holes. If you make it to the bridge, drop below for a secret pebble beach lunch. Nothing could be finer.
31 locals recommend
Salmon River Trail
E Welches RdBeautifully wooded and mossy hike. Several swimming holes. If you make it to the bridge, drop below for a secret pebble beach lunch. Nothing could be finer.
A small hike in but if you get there early enough in the day, you can claim the log raft sitting lakeside with a BBQ grill attached and roast your hot dogs in the middle of the lake. It's amazing. Tell no one.
Buck Lake
A small hike in but if you get there early enough in the day, you can claim the log raft sitting lakeside with a BBQ grill attached and roast your hot dogs in the middle of the lake. It's amazing. Tell no one.
Catch this little wonder on your way to Timothy Lake. It's like the big crater lake but MUCH smaller and bluer... and colder!
8 locals recommend
Little Crater Lake OR
Catch this little wonder on your way to Timothy Lake. It's like the big crater lake but MUCH smaller and bluer... and colder!
This is where childhood memories get made. Sailing, boating, and crawfish hunting galore!
13 locals recommend
Timothy Lake
This is where childhood memories get made. Sailing, boating, and crawfish hunting galore!