Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

Snowboard Olympic Medalists visiting Mt Hood

2009-07-10T17:37:00.000-07:00

If you think it would be cool to meet or just watch a famous Olympic athlete in action, then head up to Mt Hood this week. Several well-known snowboarding Olympians including Shaun White, Hannah Teeter, Gretchen Bleiler & Kelly Clark will be beginning their most hard-core training in preparation for the Winter Olympics next February in Whistler, British Columbia. Later in the day, head down to the Village of Government Camp. Who knows you might just catch one of these riders at the hot dog shack or skateboard park.

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals website to be up & running later today

2009-07-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

The latest update as of 6 AM on July 4th is that our website should be up and running later this morning. Great news. Crews worked throughout the night at the Fisher Plaza in Seattle to get the server farm back on the electrical grid. Thanks to all who missed out on their holiday to get the rest of us back on line.

Fire in Fisher Bldg Data Center shuts down website

2009-07-03T16:32:00.000-07:00

Bummer, we have not been able to access our website, our emails or our reservation software since about 11 PM last night due to a fire in the "server farm" in Seattle that holds our data. It does require us to work manually. Haven't done that in 16 years since I bought my first IBM 286 computer with DOS. Trying to remember how we got by with paper and pen and an electric typewriter. My parents gave me that typewriter as a graduation present when I went to college in 1975. They knew I would need it to type term papers. These days kids get trips to Europe or the Carribean or a brand new sports car.

Anyway, that typewriter came in handy. I never had to pay someone to type a research paper. My mom also made me take typing class in 7th grade because she wanted me to be prepared for the type of job most women got in those days; secretarial or similar. I dodged the 10-key class because I just new I was not going to be doing that with my life. When I bought my first computer, I was thankful I could type. I am watching the screen and my words as they fly across the screen as I type. I do not need to stare at my fingertips to create a document.

We are hopeful the repairs to the data center are completed soon. There are much larger companies and dozens of them who are also affected by this outage. I imagine that the pressure is on when TV News stations, Microsoft Travel websites and credit card authorization companies cannot access their data. Even Verizon DSL service in Seattle was out for awhile this morning.

In the meantime, we are able to assist our guests, homeowners, vendors and other stakeholders. We do have backed-up data and saved documents that will allow us to continue to work, just a bit more slowly as we write down your name and address instead to typing it into a computer software program.

For information or reservations in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental, call us at 866-761-8029. Or email me directly at betsylabarge@gmail.com.

Happy 4th of July. Have lots of fun and stay cool....literally and figuratively.

Specials in Featured Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

2009-06-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals is offering special deals at three of our favorite Mt Hood Vacation Rentals, Zigzag River Chalet, River Dance Retreat and Woodland Lodge.

Woodland Lodge is the ideal setting for a special and memorable getaway. Located on 5 private acres along the Salmon River, this custom-built timber-frame home is distinctive in every way. This home is perfect for a romantic retreat or a small family reunion. This home is definitely the destination; you won't want to go anywhere else.

The River Dance Retreat is our favorite family lodge. There is plenty of room for the adults and the kids with 3 bedrooms and a loft. The Sandy riverside yard is the showcase with spacious decks, hot tub, BBQ, meadows, sandy beach, firepit and picnic table. Everyone including the family dog will have fun here. And you are close to all kinds of fun activities.

Zigzag River Chalet provides lots of room to just hang out with friends and family. There is a family room and living room plus a large kitchen. Or enjoy the large yard with a lawn and multiple decks. Or dip your toes into the Zigzag River on the sandy beach. The riverside deck is ideal for enjoying a good book. If outdoor recreation is for you, you can hike, bike and fish right from the home.

Our featured Mt Hood Vacation Rentals have a special rate through June 30th. If you stay 2 nights, we will add a 3rd night for 1/2 price. Stay 3 nights & the 4th night is 1/2 price. Stay 4 nights and the 5th night is 1/2 price, 5 nights & the 6th night is 1/2 price and the 7th night is free.

For reservations or information, visit our website or call: 866.761.8029

Easy, Close-to-Home Vacations in the Villages of Mt Hood

2009-06-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

Are you unsure about making plans for a vacation this summer that is lengthy and far from home? No worries, you can take your vacation in the Villages of Mt Hood where the Mt Hood Vacation Rental you stay in is the destination. Mt Hood Vacation Rentals are located in riverfront, secluded and view locations, so relaxing on the back deck with a refreshing libation is an experience in itself. All homes are fully furnished with complete kitchens, entertainment centers, phones, washers & dryers and high speed Internet access in most locations, too.

Cook up a family BBQ on the back deck while your kids throw a ball for the dog. Or stay in Government Camp and take in the infectious excitement of the young skiers and snowboarders after a morning on the slopes. The summer before the winter Olympics you might even catch a glimpse of a world-famous athlete in training.
There are plenty of trails for mountain biking and hiking or maybe you enjoy the thrill of reeling in a steelhead or salmon on one of our glacial-fed rivers. The Resort's 27-hole golf course has recently undergone a $17 mil renovation which has just added more value to the already beautiful splendor of this course.

And our minimum night stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental during the summer is only 4 nights, so it is easy to take a break this summer without breaking the bank. If you can only take a long 3-day weekend, we can accommodate you by booking less than 45 days in advance. And if you can only spend 2 nights, call us 21 days or less in advance.

We look forward to seeing you this summer and sharing this community that we call home.

5 More Days of Spring Specials at Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

2009-06-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

With the onset of summer vacation, Mt Hood Vacation Rentals Spring Discounts are about to come to an end. You have 5 days left to take advantage of discounted spring rates. And if you add on a 3rd night, the rate is reduced to 1/2 price and the 4th night is free. Contact us today to squeeze in that last minute midweek spring (or is it early summer) getaway to Mt Hood.

If you are planning a mini summer vacation this year, then a Mt Hood Vacation Rental is perfect for your "gotta get out of town" getaway. Our summer minimum night stay requirement is only 4 nights, so that you will have time to just chill and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

If you are making last-minute plans, you can book a 3-night vacation less than 45 days in advance and you can book a 2-night retreat less than 21 days in advance.

For reservations, email or call us at 866.761.8029 or simply Book Online.

We look forward to seeing you this summer.

Wild Day in Welches: 1st a Car Fire, then the Thunderstorm

2009-06-05T09:51:00.000-07:00

We had lots of excitement in Welches on Thursday. About 11 AM, Cec noticed a car "smoking" in the parking lot across the street. We were just about to call 911, when the fire department pulled up. Everyone in the office building was outside watching the older model Trail Blazer as the engine compartment went up in flames. Then the tires caught on fire; then there were snaps, crackles and pops, loud noises. This was right after Pat (an off-duty firefighter) told us that car engines only catch on fire in the movies.

Turns out the driver of the car was at the gas station filling up when they noticed that the car was smoking. Not wanting to turn the ignition and create a spark, they rolled the car out to an open area of the parking lot and the rest is history.

Then in the afternoon, we experienced a Midwest style mega thunderstorm. We received a weather alert in our email and 10 minutes later, the weather completely changed. It went from sunny and mid-80's to black cloudy skies, about 65 temp and pouring rain and hail. We received 1/2 inch of rain in 30 minutes. It has stayed grey and drizzly, but it is supposed to clear up again this afternoon and for the weekend.

We took this photo from under cover just outside the office building. None of us felt like walking outside to take the photo.

Arches National Park on Easter Sunday

2009-04-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

After a cold, sometime rainy day on Saturday, Easter Sunday was sunny and dry with temps in the 60's. The breeze kept the air feeling a bit cooler. Arches National Park has over 2000 arches in the red rock. The arches are created by slow (think millions of years) weathering of the rock until arches are formed in the rock. It was a beautiful drive through the park with a lunch stop about half way through.

We then drove north on Sunday to Wendover, Nevada. This little town is just over the Utah border and a couple of miles from the famous Bonneville Slat Flats and Speedway on Interstate 80. There is nothing special about Wendover. It is about 100 miles west of Salt Lake City and is the sin city for the SLC and surrounding suburbs. There are half a dozen big hotel/casinos with abut 1000 rooms each and super smokey casinos. We stayed at the Peppermill for $45 in a fairly nice room and we all tried our luck on the one-armed bandits, ending up $5 in the hole for each of us. Ruby had never been to a casino and all she had to say is that it is "so sparkly". Actually, there is alot of neon, mirrors (to make it look bigger), lots of noise and lots of smoke.

Easter Weekend in Moab, Utah

2009-04-13T21:16:00.001-07:00

We spent the weekend in Moab, Utah, the best place in southern Utah to play. This region of red rock country is a favorite vacation location for mountain bikers, rock climbers, hikers, road cyclists, and probably mostly 4 wheel drive enthusiasts. Unknowingly, we showed up in Moab on Friday afternoon, to discover that it was the final weekend of the 9-day event, 43rd annual Jeep Safari. The town was crawling with jacked up, fat-tired, customized Jeeps of all types.

Even though we were told this was the busiest weekend of the year, we still found a nice motel room at the Holiday Inn Express that included a kitchenette and breakfast for a good price.

We visited the Canyonlands National Park on Saturday. There are incredible canyons everywhere created by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The drive into the park takes us up to 6000 feet where we can look down into the canyons.

Good Friday-Canyon de Chelly, AZ to Moab, UT; Canyonlands & Arches Nat'l Parks

2009-04-13T21:04:00.000-07:00

We drove from Canyon de Chelly National Monument on the Navajo Indian Nation to Moab, Utah on Friday, April 10th. We drove through Monument Valley in Northeastern Arizona. This beautiful red rock desert is most famous for the backdrop of many John Ford movies filmed in the mid 20th century. Since that time, the Navajo Indian Tribe has prohibited the filming of movies. Visitors are not even allowed to take photos of the Native Americans today without first asking for permission. And of course, you cannot camp in this area or drive down most side roads. We did find a place to picnic off the main road.

Russellville, Arkansas to Tucumcari, New Mexico on Wednesday, then on to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona on Thursday

2009-04-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

We finally have wifi, so I can update the blog today. On Wednesday we traveled from Russellville, Arkansas to Tucumcari, New Mexico. We passed through Oklahoma and into eastern New Mexico. The terrain changed from rolling hills with waterways and lots of trees in western Arkansas, to very flat, brown farm fields dotted occasssionally with oil rigs and scrubby gray trees as far as you can see. Oklahoma and the northern panhandle of Texas were fairly unimpressive; Paul & Sophie napped in the back seat during most of this section. If we never passed through those areas again, that would be okay with me. Much of our route on I-40 from OK City to Gallup, New Mexico parallels the historic Route 66.

New Mexico gets prettier as we head west. The terrain's topography has become more undulating and eventually included lots of red rock mesas. Tucumcari was once a bustling stop for travelers on Route 66. Now many of the historic and charming buildings sit empty and boarded up. We stayed at one of the original motels on the route, the Pow Wow Inn. It is a couple of miles away from the Interstate and all of the franchised motels and fast food joints tht are dominating the road trippers overnight stays.

We stopped for lunch on Thursday at Red Rock State Park just east of Gallup New Mexico. The state park is on Najavo Indian Lands and includes rodeo grounds, campgrounds and a very interesting Native American museum filled with Navajo woven rugs, silver and turquoise jewelry and carved juniper logs.

Thursday night was spent at Canyon de Chelly in eastern Arizona. This is on a Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservation. The canyon is spectacular and includes views of ancient Indian cliff dwellings. We will head north to Monument Valley today (where many of John Ford's movies were filmed in the 40's & 50's), then on to Moab, Utah to see the Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Arkansas, The Natural State has been our Overnight Host

2009-04-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

Well we made it all the way from Loudon, Tennessee to Russellvillle, Arkansas yesterday, about 600+ miles. We started out with about 34 degrees and snow flurries which turned into an inch of snow on the ground about an hour later with temps down to 31 degrees. However, as we traveled west, the skies cleared and the temperatures warmed to about 62 degrees by 6 PM. We will head into Oklahoma and maybe even make it all the way across the upper part of Texas today. We shall see.

We hopped off I-40 for a couple of miles to drive on Riverside Dr in Memphis to look at the Mighty Mississippi River. It looked a bit muddy to me; Ruby wax expecting it to be much more brown.

We were scheduled to hit Little Rock, Arkansas right at commuter time, so we took a back road detour. Apparantly, we drove through suburban country-side. Mostly old farm homes, but there were a few places where Grandpa sold the farm and someone has come in and developed neighborhoods. We were reminded that we are still in the Bible Belt. We passed a new church about every 3 miles. They were mostly Baptist with similar names. Many are the First of something or the Cornerstone. We also noticed several old and beautiful rock homes. You wouldn't see those homes built today.

We spent the night in Russellville, about 70 miles west of Little Rock. There is a gorgeous lake here, Dardanelle, and lots of motels and restaurants.

We will be heading out soon, so we need to go for now. More later.

Betsy, Paul, Ruby and Sophie

Ruby is Heading West on the Oregon Trail!

2009-04-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

We are just about ready to leave Trinity, North Carolina to head out west on the Oregon Trail. We are moving Ruby to Welches to live in a condo on the Salmon River. The past week has been spent sorting through items, donating the gently used belongings to the Salvation Army and Goodwill and the done-being-used stuff to the landfill. Then there are the important items (photos, etc) that are being carefully packed into the trunk of the car. And many items have been given to the relatives and neighbors who have been stopping in daily to say goodbye.

We head out at about 10 AM on Monday and spend our first night just south of Knoxville, Tennessee with sister Janie and her partner, Ron. Then we will continue west after that. We hope to drive through the Great Smokies between here and there.

We will make the cross country road trip an event to remember, stopping at national parks or other points of interest as we head west. Ruby thought it would be fun to ride her brother Joe's Harley across the country, but we talked her out of it. We'll be cruising along in the big Buick Park Avenue.

Keep checking in to see how the progress goes.

Spring Break Specials in Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

2009-03-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

If you reserve one of our featured Mt Hood Vacation Rentals for Oregon or Washington Spring Break, March 20 - April 5, 2009, you will receive one adult lift ticket to Mt Hood Meadows, Timberline or Mt Hood SkiBowl. The featured vacation rentals are:

Wy'East Log Lod ge in Zigzag is a spacious and grand log home on 2 secluded acres with Mt Hood views from the dining area of the Great Room and Clear Creek views from the TV area of the Great Room. This new custom home features a spacious… Learn more...

The Zigzag River Chalet in Rhododendron is a long-time favorite mountain getaway with 4 bedrooms, a loft & 2 bathrooms. The chalet is on a large, sunny lot on the Zigzag River next to Forest Service land and close to hiking & biking trails Learn more...

Rive r Dance Retreat in Welches is a spacious 3 bedroom plus loft, 2 bathroom home nestled in the woods on the Sandy River. Play horseshoes on the private sandy beach or relax in the hot tub on the deck. The master bedroom at River Dance Retreat... Learn more...

Island Park Retreat in Welches is a gorgeous custom-built home at the end of a road on an island of the Salmon River. Over an acre of beautifully manicured natural landscaping is surrounded on two sides by the Salmon River. You will find peace… Learn more...

The Employment Process 2009: How Times Have Changed

2009-03-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

On Friday, February 20th at about 6 PM, Mt Hood Vacation Rentals posted a Help Wanted Ad for a part-time Front Desk Assistant job opening which pays $9-10/hr DOE, on Craig's List, on the Mt Hood Community College Job Placement website and with Oregon Lodging Association. By the end of the weekend, we had received over 40 inquiries regarding the position. Two days later the number of inquiries had increased to over 60 and 3 weeks later we have heard from over 100 people who are interested in this job.

Just one year ago, when we had posted an ad for a similar job opening, we received 15 or so inquiries.

Wow, how the times have changed! We received resumes from college grads who cannot find a job and seasoned real estate brokers who cannot sell a house. There were several applicants from the culinary world; apparently there aren't very many chef jobs these days. One young lady told me she had been interviewing for at least 3 jobs a week since November.

I know how these people feel. In the late spring of 1982, I was laid off from my first professional job after graduating from college. I had worked for a small, non-profit organization for almost a year, making me the junior employee of the 7 paid staff. So when the budget was cut, so was my job. I had worked hard to earn my Bachelor's of Science degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Oregon State University. I had also worked as a waitress throughout college. I figured I had paid my dues and I deserved a career and a "real" job.

I was unemployed for 6 months, mid-May through mid-November, living on Unemployment Insurance Payments and Food Stamps. The unemployment rate in Corvallis, which is where I lived when I was laid off in May of 1982 was 17%, so I moved into a crummy little attic apartment in an even crummier neighborhood in Portland where the unemployment rate was only 11% to look for a job. (The unemployment rate in Oregon peaked at 13.4% in January 1983.) I parked my car and walked or took the bus everywhere to save money. I lost about 10 pounds over that 6 month period-probably the only benefit of being poor. I would enjoy a good meal once or twice a week when someone would invite me over for dinner. Even though I ate mostly vegetarian in those days, I would eat whatever was offered, including pork chops and burgers. It was better than my usual fare of beans and rice. And I refused to ask my parents for help. I was a big girl and it was my responsibility to find a job and take care of myself.

I would attend, on average, 3 interviews a week and on average, I would receive 3 rejection letters a week. They were all the same with absolutely no personalization. About 3 or 4 sentences, thanking me for my time and interest in the job opening, and telling me they had filled the position with someone who was more qualified. As an employer, I am now facing the daunting task of emailing over 100 rejection letters.

My previous 1 year of professional work experience had been as a Youth Advocate; I worked with troubled teens in 3 high schools in Benton County. My 3 interviews a week were for similar jobs, sorta. I applied for any position that was close to what I had been doing including mentoring unwed, pregnant teenagers or working the night shift at safe houses for runaways. The agencies would conduct "group" interviews with 12 or 15 of us ready-to-work applicants at a time. A panel of 3 or 4 managers from the agency would ask us questions as a group; some people presumably were called back for a 2nd, more personal interview. After awhile, we all got to know one another and would express our happiness to each other for the person who had not shown up this time because she got a job! We were all hoping we would be the next person to not show up to the group interview due to employment.

So much for pride. I finally broke down in October and applied for a job as a cocktail waitress at Mt Hood Meadows. I had worked in the food & beverage industry for 6 years while in college; I knew how to do the job and it would be better than living on UE & food stamps. It would be a job with a paycheck. I expected to get back to my "real" job hunt in the spring.

I headed up the mountain for my interview in a business suit, hose and heals, resume in hand. That is how I always showed up for all of my other interviews. The bar manager, Steve C hired me on the spot; he wasn't used to people who were so determined to get a job. Because we were hard workers and professional, one other employee, Katherine & I were the last employees to work in the bar through the final weekends in May when the ski season ended.

Living at Mt Hood and working at a ski resort was too much fun and I did not want to head back to the city for a job. So I stuck around for the summer and worked at a local restaurant. Then I headed back to Meadows for a 2nd season. After two years of working seasonally on Mt Hood and after being laid off from my "real" job, I landed a full-time, year-round job as a server in the Cascade Dining Room at Timberline Lodge. I had worked there for 7 1/2 years when I started Cascade Property Management (now Mt Hood Vacation Rentals) in the fall of 1991. I continued to work nights for the next 2 years while I developed and grew the company. Now 17+ years later, Mt Hood Vacation Rentals is the premiere vacation rental company on Mt Hood.

Way back when, during the recession of the early 1980's, it was pretty devastating for me to lose my job. However, I just hung in there and continued looking for work. And I finally swallowed my pride and went back to a job I knew how to do.

Even though at the time, I did not see it, I know now that this was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. By working at one of the top tourism destinations in Oregon, Timberline Lodge, I learned much about the tourism and hospitality industry in the state and specifically in the Mt Hood area. When I was ready to move on, I had identified a business category for our area that needed to be filled. And I had learned that I really like working with people who are on vacation. I always tell people it is really great when your customers are always having a good day because they are on vacation!

So here is the moral to my story for all of you who are currently unemployed and trying to find a job: Hang in there. Even though a door has closed in your life, a new door will open. Keep your eyes open, be aware of all opportunities and reach out for every one of them. You never know where your life might take you and it could actually be better than where you are now.

And here are the lessons to this story.

During my recent hiring experience, Mt Hood Vacation Rentals received resumes from almost every person who inquired about the position. Approximately 70-80% of the cover letters and resumes were poorly written. They were full of typos, grammatical errors and had inconsistent formatting. Additionally, many of you submitted resumes that indicated you do not possess the job skills and requirements that are clearly posted in the job description. Many of you sent resumes that were designed for a completely different job, such as a hair stylist or graphic artist. None of the above resumes were even considered for an interview. There were several people who I believe would be good employees, but they were just not the right fit for what we are looking for. We ended up interviewing about a dozen people, narrowing down our field to 2 people we are considering for the position.

Lesson #1: Clean up your resumes. Make sure you have the skills and qualifications required for the job. If you have been applying for jobs in other fields, take the time to adjust your resume to reflect the job you are currently inquiring about. And please make sure the grammar, punctuation, formatting and spelling are perfect before you submit the resume and cover letter. If you feel your work and life experience, even though it is not what is asked for in the job description, qualifies you for the job, then please explain this in your cover letter.

The job ad specifically requested that prospective employees were to email a resume to me. If you did not send a resume, it indicated that you cannot follow instructions, so you were not considered for the job.

Lesson #2: Follow instructions! After all, as an employee that is what you will be required to do every day at work.

A couple of you were very nervous during the interview process. This is understandable, especially if you have been unemployed for a while and are becoming frustrated or losing self-confidence because you are not being hired. The Front Desk Assistant job that we are interviewing for requires you to work with the public, meeting new people everyday in person, on the phone and through emails. You cannot be nervous or uncomfortable.

Lesson #3: Buck up!! You cannot let your emotions get the best of you. You have to stay strong and be certain of yourself. Practice interviewing with your friends and family. Continue activities that help you maintain a sense of self. Especially do not give up exercise; it helps you to feel good about yourself. And learn how to give a firm and confident hand shake.

We experienced a couple of fashion boo-boos during the interviewing process. While we are not slaves to fashion, we do expect interviewees and employees to have a sense of appropriate dress for the workplace. One applicant wore so much patchouli that it stunk up our office for at least an hour after she left. As another young lady was leaving my office after the interview, I followed her out to the door. Her hip hugger pants and short sweater did not meet in the back, exposing her "whale tail". A 3rd woman exposed us to something even worst with her ill-fitting attire; we all observed her "muffin-top" and butt crack. Ick...

Lesson #4: Take a look in the mirror, from all angles. Remember to always be the best-dressed person in the room, literally and figuratively. Think about it... One of my favorite mentors and small business consultants, Bob Sherk, taught me this over a decade ago.

I hope the moral of the story and these lessons about looking for work in a difficult economy with high unemployment rates are helpful to the many unemployed and underemployed workers in Oregon. I have "been there and done that", so I do have a sense of what you are going through. As a successful small business owner who weathered the recession of the early 1980's and came out the other end in a better place, I wanted to share helpful tips for you in your current pursuit of employment. It is tough out there right now and you need every tool possible working in your favor.

Betsy LaBarge
President & CEO
Mt Hood Vacation Rentals
Betsy@MtHoodRentals.com
866.267.6521

Front Desk Assistant Position open at Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

2009-02-19T18:12:00.000-08:00

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals is hiring a part-time Front Desk Assistant.

We are looking for a friendly, outgoing person who likes working with people. You must also be organized, a self-starter, able to analyze situations and act upon your assessments and easily take direction. This position is a stepping stone to a full time Front Desk Reservationist and Vacation Advisor position, so we are seeking someone who is interested in developing a career in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Read the job description for Front Desk Assistant, and if this sounds like a job you would be good at, please contact us at:

Betsy@MtHoodRentals.com or 866.267.6521

Cascade Property Management is now Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

2009-02-19T17:21:00.000-08:00

Cascade Property Management has changed its name to Mt Hood Vacation Rentals. We are the same company with the same great vacation rental homes at Mt Hood and all of the same fantastic people work here.

We have just changed our name to more accurately reflect who we are and what we do. You can still find us on the web at MtHoodRentals.com or MtHoodRentals.net or by calling us at 866-761-8029 or at our office at 24403 E Welches Road, Suite 104 in Welches, Oregon.

Last Minute Specials in Mt Hood Vacation Rentals

2009-02-15T14:52:00.000-08:00

There is still plenty of snow to enjoy up on Mt Hood. If you are thinking about a getaway to the mountains, why not stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental? If you make your reservation less than 21 nights in advance, you will receive a 10% discount off the regular rate, now through March 19th.

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals are an ideal way to fit in a vacation at a great value that you can afford. All homes include:

Fully equipped kitchens with all appliances
Fireplace or woodstove
TV with cable or satellite, stereo, DVD player
Phonewith unlimited long distance; wifi at many homes
Private outdoor hot tubs at most homes
Washer & dryer
Pet-friendly at most homes
River, view and secluded locations
Personalized & friendly customer service

Reservations & Information 24/7/365:

Book Online Email us or call us at 800.635.5417

Send us an Instant Message Push to Talk to a Vacation Advisor Now

Mt Hood Vacation Rentals open for Thanksgiving Weekend

2008-11-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

You can still get away to Mt Hood for the Thanksgiving Weekend and stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental. Whether you would like to be in the mountains on Thanksgiving Day or come up to Mt Hood after the big family feast, we have a few homes that are available for your visit.

Edelweiss Condos #5 & #12
are located in the heart of Government Camp, in the perfect location for walking everywhere. The warm cozy atmosphere of these condos feel more like a cabin and are ideal for family gatherings or large groups of friends.

Rapid River Retreat

is a custom-built home in a gated community in a secluded location on the Sandy River. Relax and entertain in the spacious great room with vaulted ceilings and lots of floor to ceiling windows with river views.

River Island Retreat
Relax in rustic elegance in this Salmon Riverside home on an island in Welches. This comfortably warm home is beautifully decorated in soft leathers and earth tones with an eye for detail. Enjoy your morning coffee on the river-facing deck.

ShadowHawk #5
is a bright and sunny 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo located just a few steps from the Salmon River creating a quiet, private setting. Nicely appointed with natural cedar accents for a warm decor, cozy up to the rock fireplace, take a walk or go fishing by the river.

Deer Run Retreat
is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on the 7th hole of Foxglove Red at the golf course. The subtle classic furnishings are accented with Japanese cultural items and artwork. The master suite in Deer Run Retreat has a king bed, private bath and private deck.

For reservations or more information, call us at: 866.761.8029

Winter Sports Info on the Internet

2008-11-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

Looking for information about your favorite winter sport? Or maybe you want to try something new this winter? Before you head up to the mountain this winter to stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental, check out these websites for more information about fun snow activities, road conditions and weather.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt Hood
Mt Hood Meadows
Mt Hood SkiBowl
Timberline Ski Area

Mt Hood Cross-country Skiing

Oregon Nordic Club

Mt Hood Skijoring & Dog Sledding

Cascade Sled Dog Club

Oregon Snowmobiling
Oregon State Snowmobile Association

Oregon Winter Driving

Oregon Winter Driving Tips

Oregon Road Conditions

Oregon Sno-Park Permit Information

Oregon Weather

Oregon Climate Center

Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center

National Weather Service

Current Conditions at Mt Hood Meadows

Current Conditions at Timberline

Current Conditions at Mt Hood SkiBowl

President & CEO of Cascade Property Management Elected to VRMA Board of Directors

2008-11-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

Betsy LaBarge, CEO and President of Cascade Property Management-Mt Hood Vacation Rentals in Welches, Oregon was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) at the organization’s annual meeting held in Chandler, Arizona, October 29th. VRMA is a national professional trade association representing vacation rental management companies throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. VRMA focuses on public relations and marketing for the vacation rental industry along with providing educational opportunities including professional conferences and certification for vacation rental managers. Ms. LaBarge has been appointed as chairperson of the strategic planning committee and as co-chair of the bylaws committee for VRMA. She will be serving a 3-year term.

Villages of Mt Hood hosts Wine & Art Celebration

2008-11-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

This weekend (November 13-16) is going to be perfect for getting started on your holiday shopping. The weather is forecast to be dry, warm and sunny and the gift shops, restaurants and lodging properties in the Villages of Mt Hood are offering specials and open houses to make your visit even more memorable.

Find special and creative gifts from Mt Hood's finest artistans and crafters. Sample Oregon's best wines and taste for yourself what makes them distinctive to the region. Savor the flavor of our fresh, local cuisine prepared by our innovative chefs. The Mount Hood Holidays Wine & Art Celebration showcases the best of Mt Hood's creative community!

And as a guest in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental with Cascade Property Management, just bring non-perishable food or a child's toy or gift with you at check-in and we will give you a Sno-Park Permit. Visit our specials page at MtHoodRentals.com for more details.

Donate Food to the Hoodland Holiday Food Drive and we'll give you an Oregon Sno-Park Permit when you stay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental

2008-10-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

You can give thanks for your blessings and good fortunes November 1 - December 14 by donating food or a toy or gift to the Hoodland Christmas Basket Program. When you tay in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental November 1 - December 14, bring us non-perishable food or a new, unwrapped gift or toy and we will give you an Oregon Sno-Park Permit.

Bring us 4 cans or containers of food for a 1-Day Sno-Park Permit; 8 cans or containers of food for a 3-Day Sno-Park Permit or new, unwrapped gifts or toys valued at $15 or more for kids of all ages and we'll give you an Annual Sno-Park Permit.

All food, gifts and toys will be donated to the Hoodland Fire Department for distribution this holiday season to less-fortunate families in the Mt Hood Area. 1 Sno-Park Permit per reservation.

DOGS CAN GIVE THANKS, TOO!

Your dog is thankful to live with such great humans, so when you bring your dog with you to a Mt Hood Vacation Rental, your pooch can help less fortunate pets in the Mt Hood Area, too.

Bring 8 cans of pet food or an 8 lb bag of dry pet food at check-in and your dog stays free the first night of your visit ($25 value) November 1 - December 14.

*1 Sno-Park Permit per reservation

Items most needed for the food and toy drive are: Protein foods like chili, beans, tuna, chicken and peanut butter and fruits like apple sauce, juices and canned fruits. Toys or gifts for older kids and teens are always needed, too.

Thanksgiving, Christmas & new Year's in a Mt Hood Vacation Rental

2008-09-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

RESERVE A MT HOOD VACATION RENTAL DURING SEPTEMBER AND RECEIVE $75 OFF THE RENT. The holidays are always a popular time to visit Mount Hood, so if this is the year for your family reunion at the mountain, contact us today to reserve your favorite Mt Hood Vacation Rental.

For skiers and snowboarders, we will be offering discounted lift tickets to Mt Hood Meadows, Timberline and Mt Hood SkiBowl.

If you are an regular visitor to Mt Hood during the winter months, you might want to consider purchasing a Mt Hood Fusion Pass, onsale now at the best price of the season.

Tips for Traveling with your Dog from Dogster.com

2008-07-17T16:24:00.000-07:00

For all of you dog lovers out there, check out http://www.dogster.com/, the My Space for dogs. It is a really fun place to go to give your dogs a chance to make new friends and to get to know other people in your area with the same dog loves. This month, Dogster.com has some great tips on traveling with your dog. Here are their tips for taking your dog in the car.

Driving With Dogs

It is acceptable for larger dogs to ride in a seat, like a human passenger. If your dog has never done this before, consider making one or two short "practice" excursions to be sure the canine keeps its place and does not try to roam around the car. Smaller dogs may prefer to be transported in their sleeping crates, as this provides a secure refuge from a strange situation. Be aware that all dogs are fascinated by the smells they encounter when they stick their noses out the window of a moving car. It is acceptable to indulge this desire, but never leave the window open so far that the dog can jump or fall out.

During long car trips, allow the dog to make regular rest and exercise stops (always leash it before opening the car door). Bring along food, water, and treats in a separate container. If your dog is prone to getting carsick, your veterinarian may recommend medication (bringing the dog on a few short "practice" trips may prevent the problem altogether).

CAUTION: Never, for any reason, leave your dog alone in a car. Changes in outdoor temperatures are unpredictable and can lead to stress, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and worse.

Paul & I have been taking our dogs on road trips forever. Here are a couple of things we have learned.

1. Start taking your dog in the car when he is a puppy. He will get used to it. Our dog, Cooper, thinks the car is his dog house. If I open the back to load or unload, he hops in, lies down and gets ready for the ride.

2. Our dachshund, Frank, is always really curious for the first 10 minutes of the car ride, then he just curls up on my lap and goes to sleep. Let your dog get his ya-yas out in the beginning, then show him who is alpha and make sure he lies down calmly.

3. Be on the look-out for a park, creek or other open and safe area to let your dogs out for a stretch and potty break. We will usually throw a ball or stick for 10 or 15 minutes. If you let them get out and move around every few hours, they will be more relaxed passengers. And don't forget to give them water. It is tempting to avoid water, so you don't have to stop as often, but they get thirsty just like you do.

4. Bring a dog bed or blanket for the car. Your dog will feel more secure on his bed or blanket and it will help keep your car cleaner.

5. If your dog is in the back of the car, make sure there isn't too much sun glaring in through the back windows. It can get really hot back there.

6. Barney, our lab mutt, is 14 years old, so he has difficulty getting in and out of the car on his own. Paul can lift him, so it is not a problem for us. But if you cannot pick up an 80 lb dog, invest in some folding steps and then guide the older dogs up and down the steps.

If you have other cool ideas about traveling with your dogs, we would like to hear them. Send them to us and we will post them on our blog and at MtHoodRentals.com.

If you are looking for a place to stay at Mount Hood with your dogs, check out our pet-friendly Mt Hood Vacation Rental Homes.