Join Oregon local and pro snowboarder Erika Vikander for a spring road trip
Join us as we road trip through the Cascades this spring with Freeride World Tour professional snowboarder and local Oregonian Erika Vikander. This tour encompasses the very best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer; huge ski resorts, amazing terrain, craft beer, laid back locals and great bars.
The Oregon Freeride Tour has us exploring through the Cascades including five nights in one of the best mountain towns in the States – Bend. Here the locals are proud of not only their microbreweries (22 in total), but also the snow-capped volcanic peak of Mt Bachelor, the firth largest ski resort in the USA where we spend 4 days snowboarding.
From Bend we road trip west and onto our next base of Hood River giving access to the mighty 3000+ metre Mt Hood. We spend two full days riding at Erika’s local mountain of Mt. Hood Meadows that features North America’s only year-round terrain park along with having loads of playful terrain and runs that challenge all levels of riding.
A favourite shred destination for many Mint crew, this Oregon tour ticks all the boxes of an epic ski and snowboarding trip with a true locals perspective.
Dates
30 March - 06 April, 2022
Duration
10 nights & 6 days on-mountain
Price
Enquire
Tour Type
Freeride - Be prepared to ride and ski in the trees
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
Oregon
Freeride
Tour
Here's some basic details about the tour. For more detailed information, including a tour itinerary, please get in touch.
ABOUT OREGON
Oregon delivers everything from blower powder days, to slushy riding all summer long. Mount Bachelor and Mount Hood are great destinations for intermediate skiers and snowboarders through to the hardcore. Mount Hood Meadows is less than two hours from Portland. Mount Bachelor sits just outside the city of Bend and is the biggest with over 4,300 skiable acres and a chairlift that brings riders to the summit of the the Mt. Bachelor volcano itself.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
We've scheduled the tour in the spring so expect some of the best and most consistent ski conditions of the year. Uncrowded slopes, non-existent lift lines and long sunny days. But as this is Oregon, don't be surprised if the weather reverts back to deep winter snowstorms! But spring skiing and snowboarding in Oregon is all about following and experiencing fast groomed runs, which quickly transition into slushy corn snow through the early afternoon.
MT BACHELOR
We spend our first four days riding at Mt Bachelor, the highest skiable elevation in all of Oregon and Washington. Located in the Central Cascades, this mountain is freeride heaven, known for light, dry snow, long seasons, breathtaking views and diverse terrain. Snowboard the huge alpine bowls, or long tree runs on one of the only mountains in the world where you can ride 360 degrees off the summit!
MT HOOD MEADOWS
Mt Hood Meadows boasts 2,150 ski able acres, plus an additional 1,700 acres of hike-to terrain available. Meadows has a huge variety of intermediate and advanced terrain spread across 11 lifts. If it dumps on tour, which it often does, then we have Heather Canyon and Private Reserve as options. This side of the mountain is almost like its own ski area with tons of steep chutes and glades.
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
SMALL GROUP SIZES
Our guide to guest ratio is 1 : 4. We keep our group size to a maximum of 8 people for a more personal experience between our guests and guides. This ensures you get the most out of your time skiing and snowboarding with us.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 5 nights accommodation, Hilton Double Tree, Bend
- 3 nights accommodation, The Adventure Lodge Hood River
- 2 nights accommodation, Jupiter Hotel, Portland
- Hot breakfast daily at Hilton Double Tree, Bend
- Private transfers between Portland, Bend & Hood River
- Daily return transfers to all ski resorts
- Resort guiding sessions at Mt Bachelor & Mt Hood Meadows
- Airport meet and greet
- Tours to Bend, Hood River & Portlands best craft brewery’s
- Nightly tours to local restaurants & bars
- Mint Tours hosting and guiding
The Oregon Freeride Tour is for 10 nights total. You’ll start the tour riding mid-week to maximise your time on-snow and avoid the weekend day-trippers at Mt Hood. Then on the weekend we are staying in Bend (the coolest mountain town in the US) close to the river and several breweries. If 10 nights isn’t enough time in the USA, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Ask us about tour combo ideas and multi-tour discounts.
WEEK 1 30 March – 06 April, 2022
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
Book this tour as a private departure – with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small (even just one traveller). Get in touch to discuss.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT HAPPENS IF BORDERS ARE CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
The global health crisis has impacted everyone enormously, so we want to make sure your future travel plans are safe and reassure you that we are committed to supporting our customers in the best way that we can. You can view our latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates HERE
WHAT IS A FREERIDE TOUR?
Our Freeride Tours offer you the best chance to ride a variety of terrain from parks through to steeps and trees. Our experienced guides have an in-depth knowledge of the Oregon ski areas which gives you the ultimate advantage when chasing un-tracked snow or looking to challenge yourself. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride anything.
WHAT HAPPENS IF BORDERS ARE CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?
The global health crisis has impacted everyone enormously, so we want to make sure your future travel plans are safe and reassure you that we are committed to supporting our customers in the best way that we can. You can view our latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates HERE
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. If you are travelling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 beds per room. Your group will be made up mostly of solo travellers. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that Japan has to offer.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
Each tour is different, but we know that by offering one of the smallest client to guide ratio in the industry allows you to ski or snowboard at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. We have a maximum of 6 people on this tour. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us, and keeping the groups small means less time waiting and more time riding powder.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited to skiers and snowboarders who can link turns in powder snow, can make a variety of turn shapes and can traverse, hold speed and is adventurous when skiing and snowboarding the entire mountain including side-hits and jumps. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
The tour stops off at Mt Hood Meadows and Mt Bachelor ski resorts.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Most of our guides work for us season after season. If you have a preferred Mint guide, just let us know and we’ll be able to tell you which tours they are leading.
CAN YOU BOOK FLIGHTS?
Yes. Let us take the hassle out of selecting the right flights for the tour. We can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered be comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure. Prior to the tour commencing we will invite you to a group chat which is managed by your tour manager and guides.
HOW CAN I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO OREGON?
We’ll provide you with a guide with details on how to get to Portland, Oregon and where to meet your hosts. If it’s your fist time to the USA or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
Yes! We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that the majority of our tours are led by snowboard guides.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
NO. However, you have the option to either pre-purchase an Ikon Pass or Ikon Base Pass that includes riding at Mt Bachelor for winter 2021 via your Mint Tours sales consultant. Alternatively, you can opt to pre-purchase a standard adult lift passes for both Mt Hood Meadows and Mt Bachelor. Ask your sales consultant for more information.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
Yes! We can arrange rental equipment for most destinations, however we do recommend bringing your own equipment.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Oregon ski areas can experience all kinds of weather depending on the season, with temperatures typically ranging from +10 to -10 in Spring. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear).
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that Mammoth Mountain has to offer.
PRICE PER PERSON
Get in touch for a quote
SINGLE SHARE SUPPLEMENTS
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this tour. The single supplement applies to all nights on your tour and is subject to availability. Please speak to your tour specialist for further information.
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT
To secure your spot on tour, a non-refundable 25% deposit is payable within 3 days of booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure. You can view our terms and conditions HERE and COVID-19 policy HERE
If you would like some more information or a quote for the tour you can contact us by:
1. ONLINE
Click on ‘Enquiry’ below and send us your details. Once we receive your request one of our USA Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.
2. OVER THE PHONE
Call us and follow the prompts to speak to one of our USA Tour specialists.
Within Australia (03) 8563 9437
International +61 (03) 8563 9437
3. EMAIL
Drop us an email and one of our USA Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.