Crisp Weather Outfitting

When there’s white stuff on the ground,
get the right stuff for getting around.

Is there a little snow outside? Maybe a lot of snow? Welcome to early spring in The Villages of Mt. Hood. There’s an exciting chill in our mountain air this time of year, and our forests and slopes are pure peacefulness in the remains of white wrapping. Getting around in the cold is part of the fun, and The Villages has everything you need to keep you warm and safe during your visit.

Start with the Basics

Need a snow shovel or an ice scraper mitt? Camping lantern? Portable heater? Drop by Welches Mountain Building Supply. Mt. Hood Foods in Rhododendron has tire chains, as well as camping sundries including tents and warm sleeping bags. Grab one of their plastic sleds or snow saucers and get to sliding! You’ll also find tire chains at Page’s Mt. Hood Auto & Tire in Welches, along with oil, batteries, and roadside assistance for any cold-weather car surprises.

Left Home Without It?

Wishing for a spare dry sweatshirt or hat? Check the Hoodland Thriftway in Welches. Mt. Hood Foods has those too. If you’re lodging at The Resort on the Mountain, check the selection at the newRiverstone Gift Gallery. For the warmest artisan knit or silkscreened fashions swing by Cast One Onin ZigZag or Made on Mt. Hood in Welches.

Winter Into Spring Sports Supply

Fishing this time of year is an adventure that’s not just cold but wet. Luckily, Welches’ The Fly Fishing Shop has you covered – in lots of heat-retaining layered garments, that is. They’ve got plenty of new stock for the season, made from the newest synthetic fleeces that wick the moisture out and wrap the warmth in. You’ll find a huge selection of Simms apparel, including their WaderWick line in Mid-Weight and Heavy-Weight. There are socks by Fox River, and neoprene gloves, to name only a few. You’ll be grateful for these when you’re taking part in one of The Fly Fishing Shop’s “One-Day Steelhead Fly Fishing Schools.” Don’t forget that the shop has every rod, reel and fly you need for mount hood fishing trips.

Mountain Sports, located in Welches’ Hoodland Plaza Shopping Center, has sporting gear ready to pick up and go in their full service ski and snowboard shop during the snowy months on Mt. Hood. They specialize in snow sports rentals, including alpine/downhill and cross country skis, snowboards, and snowshoes. Their repair shop offers quick hot waxes, tune-ups, and ski and snowboard repair. They also have winter and spring apparel, footwear and a great collection of hats, gloves, goggles, and other accessories for sale — basically, everything you need for an adventure on the mountain. New this season, Mountain Sports has added snowshoes from Tubbs and snowboard bindings from Burton to their retail selection. During the month of March, mention this article and get $10 off the purchase price of a set of Burton Snowboard Bindings (Cartel, Custom & Freestyle) in all sizes and many colors. Bring in your board and they will mount the bindings free of charge!

For the last word on the best places to play in the wild, check with the Mt. Hood National Forest’s Zigzag Ranger Station Regional Visitor Center. They have maps, guidebooks, forest passes, and all the very latest recreation info on seasonal closings and trail availability.