The Importance of Skiing in the Northwest

In this edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach talks about why it's so important to enjoy Oregon's robust snowpack and long ski season before rounding up a few good spring break travel ideas and highlighting some recent outdoors news. Zach details how Oregon's ski areas are staying open through April and even May this year due to a good snowpack and mentions some spring deals that make getting on the lifts a bit cheaper. He then highlights a snowshoe and ski route to a snow shelter at the base of the Three Sisters. Because of a potential El Nino pattern next year, this spring might be the best snow conditions for a while, according to Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill, who makes a brief appearance on the podcast. Finally, Zach highlights two outdoor-themed museums worth visiting during spring break, whale watching advance and then a handful of news reported recently including: The revival of the western snowy plover on the Oregon Coast Two fatal accidents in the backcountry, and another death at Oregon’s deadliest spot More struggles for Oregon’s iconic trees — this time of the Douglas firs of the Klamath-Siskiyou