Winter is here and Christmas is coming.  For Portland this doesn't necessarily mean a white Christmas as some would imagine.  Although winter brings a few months of colder weather, it doesn't snow in Portlandia often.  You'll see some occasional flakes around town and in the hills but when this happens, the city runs for cover!  Schools close and the news is on high alert.

Head east of town to the higher elevations of Mount Hood and it's a completely different story.  When it's raining in the valleys down here, it's snowing on Mt. Hood by the foot.  Over 35 feet of snow a year to be exact, that's over 420 inches folks!  For all you diehard skiers and boarders out there, the peak of Mt. Hood is proud to offer the longest season in North America.  It never closes.

Surviving a recent drive through the Mount Hood Scenic Byway during a blizzard, I'm proud to show off a few pictures of my first trip to the Hood and surrounding areas.  I even have tire chains to prove it!  And even though I was right next to a mountain that stands over 11,000 feet for most of my trip, you won't see any pictures of the mountain or the peak in this set...  You'll have to check back in the summer time when it clears up a bit : o )