Puppies on the Peak: Timberline Lodge in Oregon welcomes new arrivals continuing beloved tradition
Timberline Lodge on Oregon’s mighty Mount Hood has welcomed two new resident St. Bernard puppies, Heidi and Bruno, the 10th and 12th dogs to join the historic, decades long tradition. When Timberline Lodge opened in 1937, St. Bernards were chosen as mascots because of their long association with mountain rescues in the Swiss Alps. They symbolise safety, loyalty, and mountain heritage.The first Timberline puppies were reportedly Hansel and Gretel in the very early days of lodge operations, followed by Lady and Bruel. For decades, these dogs lived at Timberline, roaming the lodge freely and greeting countless visitors, skiers, and climbers.
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, and famously used by Stanley Kubrick for the exterior shots of the Overlook Hotel in the 1980 film The Shining, Timberline Lodge is one of Oregon’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing nearly two million visitors every year. Considered an architectural wonder, it’s still being used for its original intent—a magnificent ski lodge and mountain retreat for all to enjoy.
Timberline is home to North America’s longest ski season. In the height of winter, the ground floor of the lodge is typically fully buried in snow, with entry through a snow tunnel, or directly into the second floor. The lodge, combined with its cozy rooms, pub, restaurant and resident St. Bernards is a welcome relief after a full day on the slopes. It is the only resort in North America with lift-served skiing available throughout the summer, offering summer skiing and snowboarding on its high-altitude snowfield.
Visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, and climbing during the warmer months.
About Oregon:
The state of Oregon boasts dramatic scenery to explore, from the coast to the mountains, valleys and high desert while cities and towns offer bountiful culinary and cultural experiences. With diverse landscapes ranging from volcanic mountains to crystal clear lakes to evergreen forests, Oregon offers the adventurous traveller endless opportunities for hiking, biking, cycling and kayaking. Bucket list stops include Crater Lake National Park (the deepest lake in the USA), the Columbia River Gorge with dozens of waterfalls to explore, Cannon Beach (famous for the iconic Haystack Rock) and the High Desert Museum bringing together regional wildlife, culture and art pieces to promote North America’s heritage.
After all that exploring, visitors can refuel with world-class refreshments from the state’s bountiful wineries, craft breweries and micro-distilleries and enjoy delectable cuisine from locally sourced produce across the state.
Click here to find out more about visiting Oregon.