Spring is a magical time in Central Oregon—a time when you can shred snow-covered slopes to your heart’s content while savoring sunny skies and warm afternoons throughout the region. So if you’re looking for the best of both worlds, we’ve put together a guide to making the most of a springtime getaway that revels in the final weeks of winter.
Keep reading for ideas to enjoy spring in Central Oregon—even if you’re not quite ready to let go of winter.
Claim Your Bluebird Day: Spring Skiing & Snowboarding
Fresh powder, bluebird skies, sweeping mountain views, and runs suited to all skill levels await skiers and snowboarders at ski areas around Central Oregon. Best of all: These resorts offer plenty of spring skiing. Start planning your next skication at these resorts.
Mt. Bachelor
West of Bend and Sunriver, Mt. Bachelor boasts more than 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain and is the seventh-largest ski resort in North America. Beyond its thrilling runs, Mt. Bachelor’s rentals and lessons help prepare you for a fun day on the slopes, a handful of on-site eateries dish filling fare, a pair of retail shops have anything you might have forgotten back at your hotel, and regular events create a festive atmosphere all winter and spring. Mt. Bachelor’s season typically extends into late May, as well, offering the area’s longest ski season and making a top destination each spring in Central Oregon.
Please check Mt. Bachelor’s website for the most current conditions updates.
Hoodoo Ski Area
Some 20 miles northwest of Sisters, Hoodoo Ski Area is most famous for offering Central Oregon’s only night skiing, with 23 designated runs geared toward enthusiasts of all skill levels. Hoodoo’s daytime offerings are no slouch, either, with a balanced mix of terrain for beginners and veterans alike. The ski area’s Autobahn Tubing Park, meanwhile, delivers several lanes of speedy, family-friendly fun for tubers of all ages. Given Hoodoo’s high elevation, it’s often possible to enjoy spring skiing well into March.
Please check Hoodoo’s website for current conditions updates.
Take it Off the Slopes: Snowshoeing, Fat Biking & More
Away from the slopes, there’s a lot to love about the snow-covered forests, snowshoe trails, and sledding hills around Central Oregon. Here’s a look at some of the area’s top sno-parks and snow experiences.
Dutchman Flat Sno-Park
Dutchman Sno-Park, or Dutchman Flat Sno-Park as it’s most commonly known among locals, sits about 20 miles southwest of Bend and offers one of the area’s most scenic snow-play experiences. Several snowshoe, cross-country, and snowmobile trails head into the surrounding meadows and forests, as well as onto the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (which is closed to vehicle traffic in winter). Broken Top rises to the north, Mount Bachelor sits across the street to the west, and Tumalo Mountain borders the Dutchman Flat trailhead, providing 360-degree views of the snowy Central Oregon landscapes from its summit (best accessed via steep snowshoe trail).
Wanoga Sno-Park
Introduce your young’ns to Central Oregon’s snowy backcountry with a trip to the popular Wanoga Sno-Park. The dog-friendly sno-park offers access to more than 150 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, a pair of mostly flat snowshoe trails, cross-country skiing, fat biking paths, and a tubing hill for playful fun. When you’re ready to call it a day, get cozy in an on-site warming hut near the Wanoga Sno-Park parking area.
Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
Less than 15 miles southwest of Bend, Virginia Meissner Sno-Park is beloved for its cross-country skiing opportunities. In all, roughly 50km of trails welcome skiers of all skill levels while reaching a handful of warming huts in the midst of a quiet ponderosa pine forest. The Meissner Sno-Park trails are groomed daily between December and March by the nonprofit Meissner Nordic Ski Club, making it an idyllic outing each spring in Central Oregon.
Moonlight & Starlight Snowshoe Tours
Between November and April, Bend-based outfitter Wanderlust Tours leads dramatic Moonlight & Starlight Snowshoe Tours under starry night skies. A trained naturalist leads each magical, off-trail trip through the Deschutes National Forest, and special outings are timed around meteor showers, full moons, and new moons. Headlamps and snowshoes are provided, as is hot cocoa and transportation, and boots and pants are available for rent in case you need the appropriate gear.
Tranquility Wrapped in Snow & Steam: Hot Spring Hideaways
Is there anything more magical than a steaming hot spring on a cool winter day? Maybe a wintertime soak while the snow falls into your pool. Get the skinny on restorative hot springs in Central Oregon with these suggestions.
Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort
Just north of Warm Springs, Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort offers the most well-developed soaking experience and is a joyous way to spend spring in Central Oregon. Mineral-rich water feeds a few pools and private tubs that range from 100ºF to 110ºF while prioritizing a laid-back, wellness-minded experience. An on-site restaurant dishes snacks, salads, wraps, and burgers, while the resort’s hotel provides comfortable overnight stays in case you need to soak a little longer.
Umpqua Hot Springs
Roughly 90 miles southwest of La Pine, Umpqua Hot Springs sits perched above the North Umpqua River and in the heart of an emerald-green forest of towering fir. Following a short hike, you’ll arrive at a series of pools whose temperatures range from 100ºF to 115ºF. The lower pools are cooler and afford views of the North Umpqua River below. Note that the gate to Umpqua Hot Springs is closed in winter—and can only be reached with an additional 1.5 miles of hiking in each direction.
Spring in Central Oregon Has Endless Possibilities
Spring is a state of mind in Central Oregon, and there are no shortage of ways to embrace the season. Our guide to the region’s top spring activities covers a fun mix of indoor and outdoor opportunities—with hiking trails, golf courses, museums, go-karts, and other fun ideas for the whole family.
