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Top Things to Do in Sunriver in the Winter

Every winter, Sunriver transforms from an active resort community into a winter wonderland that brings together the best attractions of the season. Lace up your skates and try ice skating before warming up over a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through snow-covered meadows and in the shadow of glistening Cascade peaks. After the sun goes down, bask in the glow of holiday light displays and bond over your day while enjoying fresh fare at local restaurants. 

However you enjoy the holiday season, you’ll find plenty of memorable things to do in Sunriver, Oregon, this winter. The fun includes:

Keep reading for the run down on all kinds of winter activities when you visit Sunriver, Oregon.

Outdoor Winter Activities

Sunriver and Sunriver Resort sit surrounded by forests of ponderosa pine—and at the doorstep to the dramatic Cascade Range. That location gives you plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities all winter long.

Perhaps the most popular outdoor destination around Sunriver is Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. The seventh-largest ski resort in North America sits just 20 minutes from Sunriver and is home to more than 4,300 skiable acres—with runs and terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort may open for its long-running season as early as late November—and typically runs until late May. Beyond the slopes, fun at the resort includes terrain parks, cross-country skiing trails, on-site dining, and more. Discover Central Oregon skiing & snowboarding for more ideas on where to hit the slopes—and what to expect once you’re there.

Skiing at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort near Bend, Oregon

Sunriver also sits near several Sno-Parks that transform every year into winter wonderlands where visitors can follow miles of cross-country skiing trails through peaceful forests, snowshoe to cozy warming huts, go snowmobiling to wide-open peaks, and even have fun on sledding and tubing hills.

If you’re excited to bundle up and get outside, learn more about winter activities in Central Oregon.

Family-Friendly Winter Activities

Horse-drawn sleigh rides in Sunriver, Oregon

We’ve already shared some of our favorite outdoor activities in the forests around Sunriver—but you’ll also find plenty of family fun across the charming community. Best of all: Many of those fun activities can be found around The Village at Sunriver, putting you in the heart of the action.

One of the biggest events every holiday season is Traditions at Sunriver Resort. The collection of family-friendly activities adds plenty of magic to the community with holiday light displays, horse-drawn sleigh rides, memorable dining experiences, and more.

Away from the resort, ice skating in Sunriver is a popular pastime. Officially named Ice Skating in the Village Sunriver, the rink is open from the weekend before Thanksgiving to mid-April—and invites skaters of all skill levels to lace up their boots and enjoy a relaxing day on the ice. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, holiday tunes provide a pleasant soundtrack at the skating rink. Learn more about ice skating in Central Oregon.

Savor the season with a classic winter experience: a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a snow-covered meadow in the shadow of Cascade peaks. Sleigh rides in Sunriver, Oregon, are generally offered between mid-December and early February and can generally support up to four adults and two small children. Learn more about horseback riding and sleigh rides in Sunriver.

Local Winter Indoor Activities

One fun stop, just 10 miles from Sunriver, is the award-winning High Desert Museum. The museum takes an expansive look at the Central Oregon landscape by offering an in-depth look at the region’s past and present through interactive exhibits and interpretive panels, live wildlife displays (including lizards, snakes, river otters, birds of prey, and even a porcupine), lectures with the animal’s keepers, artwork, and more. If you’re planning a getaway this holiday season, check out Winter Nights at High Desert Museum; running on Thursday evenings in December, the fun includes a variety of seasonal family activities.

Right in the heart of Sunriver, the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory explores the region’s plants, animals, and natural wonders through educational programs, wildlife displays (with resident snakes, birds, and more), exhibits, and an on-site botanical garden.

For other fun ideas this winter, check out our guide to the top museums in Central Oregon.

Family visiting the High Desert Museum near Bend, Oregon

Relaxation and Cozy Retreats

Massage at Sage Springs Club and Spa in Sunriver, Oregon

You’ll find plenty of rest-and relaxation-minded offerings around Sunriver every winter—including spa services, quiet restaurants, and more.

Guests at Sunriver Resort can take advantage of the wide range of services at Sage Springs Club and Spa—whose offerings include massages, skincare treatments, and nail services.

If you worked up an appetite on the slopes or are looking to warm up with fresh fare, stop by Lodge Kitchen at Sunriver Resort for a refined menu of Pacific Northwest-inspired dishes crafted with seasonal ingredients; you can also unwind with craft cocktails at Owl’s Nest, which affords sweeping views of Cascade peaks.

Tips for Visiting Sunriver in the Winter Season

We’re excited for you to enjoy Sunriver winter activities all season long—and want to help make the most of your magical experience. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while booking a winter weekend getaway to Sunriver.

Winter snowfall: Sunriver sits at about 4,200 feet above sea level—an elevation that leads to nearly 50 inches of annual snowfall each winter. Check the National Weather Service for updated forecasts, and visit the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck tool for road closures, webcams, and traffic alerts. Even if snow isn’t in the forecast, temperatures dip below freezing most nights—so be sure to bundle up.

Family fun in winter in Sunriver, Oregon

Lodging options: You’ll find a wide range of lodging options around Sunriver—especially at Sunriver Resort—including well-appointed vacation homes, luxe lodge rooms, and exclusive communities; rooms accommodate everyone, from solo travelers and couples on romantic getaways to large groups of a dozen or more, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Booking window: Even with the wide range of room types, Sunriver is one of Central Oregon’s most popular overnight destinations—especially during the holiday season and on long weekends (such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and President’s Day in February). If possible, book at least one to two months out to secure your preferred overnight stay—or aim for a midweek trip to enjoy more solitude and a quieter experience.

Get inspired with our article, Sunriver: The Perfect Holiday Town, which details the magic of the community during the holiday season—and start planning your getaway now.

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