When the first snow falls in the Cascade Range every autumn, outdoor enthusiasts across the Pacific Northwest dig out their skis, wax their snowboards, and start planning epic getaways to ski resorts near Bend, Oregon.
Across the region, our slopes are dotted with fast-running, dry powder that caters to skiers and boarders of all skill levels—with a season that begins as early as November and continues until Memorial Day in May.
So to help you plan a great day on the slopes, we’ve put together a guide to some of the region’s top ski resorts—what each offers and what makes each so special—along with recommendations for cozy overnight stays and hotels in Bend:
Exploring Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Mt. Bachelor is the largest ski resort in Oregon, the seventh-largest ski resort in North America, and sits just 21 miles west of Bend—making it the most popular wintertime destination in Central Oregon.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers 360º skiing from atop the summit of its 9,070-foot peak, with more than 100 runs spread across 4,320 acres beloved for deep, dry powder. Lifts may run as early as late November—and typically continue through Memorial Day Weekend. Away from the slopes, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers several vacations’ worth of wintry fun—including ranger-led snowshoe tours, cross-country skiing trails, and dogsled rides through the locally owned Oregon Trail of Dreams. Warm up around the fire pit at a handful of restaurants and bars slinging locally sourced fare and regional craft brews across the resort.
You won’t find any overnight stays at Mt. Bachelor, but a few hotels and lodges sit nearby. Chief among them is LOGE Bend, an outdoorsy playground just 18 miles east of the resort; the pet-friendly hotel offers an on-site pool and hot tub, in-room hammocks, gear storage, ski rentals, and more. Learn more about lodging near Mount Bachelor, and get the scoop on some of the must-see mountain towns in Oregon around the resort.
Hoodoo Ski Area: A Hidden Gem
In all, 800 acres of skiable terrain sprawl out across the slopes of a rounded butte at Hoodoo. On the mountain’s backside, deep powder caters to more advanced skiers—while groomed trails dot its front face. Other attractions include the Autobahn Tubing Park, 23 night runs, cross-country skiing trails that are groomed every weekend, the on-site Ski & Ride School for beginners, and a spacious lodge with gear rentals, a repair shop, on-site eateries, and pinball machines in an arcade. Learn more about Hoodoo Ski Area near Sisters.
For convenient overnight stays, consider a night or two in the forested Suttle Lodge & Boathouse—just nine miles east of Hoodoo Ski Area on the shores of its namesake lake. The pet-friendly Suttle Lodge offers a mix of upscale lodge rooms and chic cabins, as well as an on-site cocktail bar. Check out other close-by stays with information on lodging near Hoodoo Ski Area.
Which Central Oregon Ski Resort is Right for You?
Mt. Bachelor and Hoodoo Ski Area offer world-class experiences on the slopes—but each provides a slightly different outing. Here’s a bit about what sets each apart.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort: Mt. Bachelor sits a short drive from Bend and is beloved for its close proximity to the largest city in Central Oregon. Skiers and snowboarders have more terrain to choose from. Lift passes run roughly $118-$144 for adults, $87-$105 for children 13-18 and seniors 65 to 69, and $66-$80 for children 6-12; lift tickets are free for children 5 and younger. Parking is free, but you can snag a paid parking permit close to the lifts and lodges for $20 to $50 per day. Bend, Oregon, lodging options sit just 20 to 30 minutes away.
Hoodoo Ski Area: The approachable amenities at Hoodoo Ski Area—including the Autobahn Tubing Park and night skiing runs—make it popular with beginners, families, and casual visitors who appreciate the resort’s fun, laid-back atmosphere. As far as challenges go, runs are roughly equal between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of difficulty. Lift tickets range from $29-79 for adults and $29-50 for children and seniors—depending on how many hours in a given day you’d like to ski or snowboard; life tickets are free for children 10 and younger. Parking at Hoodoo is free, but overnight RV parking is available for $20 to $65 per night.
Both resorts, meanwhile, host cross-country skiing trails, offer lessons for children and beginners, sell and rent necessary gear, and provide a variety of on-site dining options. You’ll also sit surrounded by top winter activities in Central Oregon at each resort.
Best Lodging Near Bend, Oregon for Skiers and Snowboarders
We’ve shouted out a few popular overnight options near each ski resort, but you’ll find a wide range of places to stay near Bend, Oregon, that suit your budget and desired experience.
You’ll find plenty of great options for overnight stays when you visit Bend, Oregon. Mere minutes from downtown, Campfire Hotel is one of the most fun places to stay in Bend, Oregon; there, the outdoors-inspired motel offers a 10-foot outdoor fire pit, a year-round saltwater pool, a cozy bar, and rooms adorned with nature-esque decor. Just 20 minutes from Mt. Bachelor, meanwhile, sits Tetherow—a popular resort with spacious vacation rentals, on-site eateries, a heated pool, and a shuttle to the resort. Sunriver Resort is another fabulous option offering a cozy retreat with its own selection of vacation rentals, family-friendly activities, multiple dining options, and easy access to Mount Bachelor. For a more urban experience, book a stay at McMenamins Old St. Francis School; housed in a converted Catholic schoolhouse, the historic hotel hosts a soaking pool, on-site movie theater, several outdoor fire pits, and easy access to downtown Bend’s many restaurants and attractions.
If you’re looking for stays near Hoodoo Ski Area, you’ll find a wide range of options. Black Butte Ranch, one of Central Oregon’s longest-running resorts, welcomes visitors with vacation rentals, a heated pool, and several on-site restaurants dishing Pacific Northwest-inspired flare; a ski-and-stay package includes lift tickets and food and beverage credit. In Sisters proper, the lavish FivePine Lodge & Cabins hosts a mix of luxe rooms and well-appointed cabins—as well as a luxurious spa just a short walk from downtown. And the pet-friendly Left Coast Lodge—housed in a historic motor lodge—provides in-room ski storage, hosts a four-person hot tub, and boasts plenty of cozy amenities.
Ready to book your getaway? Discover Central Oregon skiing & snowboarding—with tips on local resorts, gear rentals, and other helpful insights.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Mt. Bachelor has gone by many names over the years: It was originally called Bachelor Butte, a cheeky name playing off the peak’s separation from the Three Sisters, and was later given its current moniker after a ski resort opened on its powdery slopes in 1958. Today, most of us simply know it as “Bachelor.”
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Hoodoo Ski Area: The Feel-Good Resort Near Sisters
In 1938 Bend’s Ed Thurston looked out upon the craggy Central Oregon Cascades and decided to build a ski resort on Hoodoo Butte. And we’re sure glad he did. Now, 84 years later, Hoodoo Ski Area is well known for its comfortable down-home vibe as well as being “steeper, deeper and cheaper” than its competitors. Such a reputation, though, didn’t happen by accident. When Chuck Shepard took over as owner in 1999, he set about modernizing the beloved ski resort, which was originally built primarily from surplus World War II materials.
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Skiing
You could argue (as many locals do) that there are actually five seasons in Central Oregon—the fifth, of course, being ski and snowboard season. As temperatures plummet each fall, our collective attention turns toward seven-day forecasts, snow reports, and the growing white jacket covering Cascade peaks to the west. We plan weekends around ski season, buy passes months in advance, wax our boards, and even skip work when conditions are right—just don’t tell our boss.
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Snow
Central Oregon shines in the wintertime—and, luckily, there’s plenty of time to enjoy it: The Cascades can enjoy their first dusting of snow as early as September, and Mt. Bachelor—the region’s most popular ski resort—may remain open until Memorial Day. Even away from the mountains, snow is routinely in the seven-day forecast throughout winter in the likes of Bend, Sunriver, La Pine, and other lower-elevation communities around the region.