Central Oregon shines in the wintertime, when snow covers Cascade Range forests and mountain peaks between late October and April.
With such a long season, it’s no surprise locals and visitors alike clamor for wintry fun around Central Oregon. And whatever winter means to you, chances are good you’ll find plenty to love around the region—including our downhill ski areas, groomed cross-country trails, skating rinks, and even relaxing day spas. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular seasonal activities around Central Oregon.
Fun in the Snow
Other Winter Activities
Enjoying the Snow Around Central Oregon
Imagine hitting the slopes of the seventh-largest ski resort in North America, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through snow-covered forests, and snowmobiling into pristine backcountry—all on bluebird days with the sun on your shoulders.
Around Central Oregon, where the first mountain snow falls in October and typically remains until April, those sunny skies aren’t the stuff of imagination; they’re an everyday occurrence across our region. Best of all: These memorable experiences are available to enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. Dust off your winter jacket, and check out some of our favorite snow activities in Central Oregon.
Ice Skating
For a classic winter experience, try ice skating in Central Oregon—where rinks across the region welcome skaters of all ages and offer rentals for the whole family (toddlers and up).
The Village at Sunriver hosts a covered rink, typically open between late November and early April, boasting a mix of holiday music and upbeat tunes to soundtrack family outings.
In Bend, The Pavilion offers covered (but open-air) ice skating between mid-October and April—complete with on-site fire pits. Nearby Seventh Mountain Resort boasts the region’s oldest outdoor rink, surrounded all season long by light displays and festive decor.
Skiing
Central Oregon boasts a trio of ski resorts in the Cascades—offering ample opportunities to enjoy one of the region’s most popular wintertime activities.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, just a half-hour from Bend, is the seventh-largest ski resort in North America and the largest in the Pacific Northwest. The popular ski resort boasts 3,365 feet of vertical drop, helpful services (from rentals to tune-ups), 360º skiing from the summit, and more than 100 runs for skiers of all skill levels.
A short drive from Sisters, Hoodoo Ski Area has been going strong since 1938—and hosts more than 800 skiable acres, as well as Central Oregon’s only night skiing; Hoodoo offers 23 night runs that remain open until 9 p.m.
Further south, visitors can spy Cascade peaks, as well as a trio of alpine lakes, from the upper reaches of Willamette Pass Resort. The ski area also offers 555 acres of skiable terrain, with eight black-diamond runs for experts.
Visit our page on skiing in Central Oregon for details and recommendations.
Cross Country Skiing
Regular snowfall, sunny days, and snowy forests create the ideal conditions for cross-country skiing in Central Oregon.
Several designated winter wonderlands—officially called Oregon Sno-Parks—pair their groomed trails with peaceful forests and views of nearby Cascade peaks. The dog-friendly Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park is groomed four times per week near Bend, while Upper Three Creek Sno-Park is beloved for its warming hut and mountain views just outside Sisters.
Snowboarding
Ski resorts and ski areas in Central Oregon offer plenty of terrain for shredding throughout winter and spring.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, for instance, hosts specially designed terrain for beginner snowboarders and a whopping 101 runs. More experienced boarders can tackle the freestyle terrain park at Hoodoo Ski Area, which includes rails, tabletops, jumps, and other features for an adrenaline-pumping challenge.
Sledding
Kids of all ages love sledding and tubing around Central Oregon. The kid-friendly Autobahn Tubing Park at Hoodoo Ski Area offers a gently sloped hillside, as well as a smaller, more laid-back sled hill. And Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno-Park, just outside Bend, deserves a special nod for its sledding opportunities; an open hillside offers easy sledding, and a warming hut provides a cozy respite from winter’s chill.
While you’re in the area, learn more about Bend, Oregon, winter activities.
Snowmobiling
With plenty of backcountry terrain, snowmobiling in Central Oregon offers plenty of thrills all winter long.
Just 20 minutes east of La Pine, 10 Mile Sno-Park hosts access to more than 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails within (and around) the Newberry National Volcanic Monument—making it one of the region’s best-loved destinations for snowmobilers. Elsewhere, Junction Sno-Park sits where several alpine lakes and scenic buttes meet—and offers a warming shelter among its extensive network of groomed trails. Along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, Elk Lake Resort rents snowmobiles for up to six hours and sits surrounded by hundreds of miles of trails. And if you’d like to get started with a seasoned guide, sign up for a tour with Central Oregon Adventures.
Snowshoeing
Central Oregon’s sno-parks host dozens of miles of groomed snowshoe trails for beginners and seasoned veterans alike. Dutchman Sno-Park, just 20 minutes southwest of Bend, is home to several miles of trails that head through open meadows and ascend Tumalo Mountain—with impressive Cascade peak views beckoning throughout. Also near Bend, you’ll enjoy dedicated snowshoe trails that lead to a pair of warming huts at Meissner Sno-Park/Trailhead.
If you’d rather someone else lead the way, sign up for a guided tour with Bend-based outfitter Wanderlust Tours. Check out our page for more insight on snowshoeing in Central Oregon.
Fat Biking
Who says you have to stop biking in winter? Bundle up, and take a fat bike tour through the snowy landscapes of Central Oregon. These rugged bikes are designed with wide tires that easily handle off-road adventures, and plenty of paths invite riders to explore the region’s snow-covered backcountry.
Learn more about fat biking with our guide to winter adventure in Central Oregon.
Other Winter Activities in Central Oregon
We get it: The powdery stuff isn’t for everyone. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of other fun activities, indoors and outside, all winter long.
Winter Hiking
Central Oregon hosts a bevy of winter hiking trails that remain accessible all season long.
Just a half-hour east of Bend, the 29,000-acre Oregon Badlands Wilderness hosts nearly 50 miles of trails that crisscross volcanic rock formations, high-desert terrain, and forests of gnarled juniper trees. The Badlands sit at a lower elevation than many popular destinations in Central Oregon, so they see less snow and remain mostly accessible in winter.
Sitting between Madras and Prineville, the short, wheelchair-accessible Rimrock Springs Trail passes through a mix of juniper and sagebrush while offering excellent wildlife viewing; watch for pronghorn, waterfowl, bats, and raptors.
Shopping
Holiday deals, seasonal offerings, and a festive spirit make shopping in Central Oregon a fun winter pastime.
Downtown Bend is home to several boutiques, souvenir shops, and mom-and-pop outfits selling artisan goods and hand-crafted items. Nearby, the Old Mill District hosts more than 40 shops—ranging from home-grown clothing stores to outposts from big-name brands—along the Deschutes River.
Downtown Redmond’s walkable core hosts shops that sell clothing, antiques, and other gift-worthy goods. A short drive away, walk the main drag through Sisters, which is home to art galleries, souvenir shops, apparel stores, and more.
Further south, more than a dozen shops call The Village at Sunriver home—from artisans and booksellers to outdoor outfitters and fashionable boutiques. And at the eastern edge of Central Oregon, the Prineville Charm Trail brings together nearly 30 shops around town—with jewelry, leather goods, apparel, and more available from regional retailers.
Day Spas
Relax and recharge with a day at the spa in Central Oregon. Shibui Spa at FivePine Lodge in Sisters is among the most popular spas in Central Oregon, thanks to a range of services that includes massages, body and facial treatments, wraps, and more.
In Bend, Anjou Spa provides seasonal offerings, customized skin treatments, targeted massages, and more. And the popular Spa W offers a pre-treatment steam room session and services that include manicures and pedicures, waxing, massages, and facial treatments. Sunriver Resort, meanwhile, is home to Sage Springs Club & Spa—a full-service spa that delivers a wide range of services and products that are (whenever possible) organic, locally sourced, and hand-crafted. At Juniper Preserve’s Juniper Spa, treat yourself to massages, facial services, body wraps, and other good-for-the-soul services.
Indoor Activities for Kids
Around Central Oregon, several indoor activities offer a fun way to pass the time for kids of all ages. The award-winning High Desert Museum hosts live animals, indoor and outdoor exhibits, and interactive displays that detail the region’s history, wildlife, and natural wonders. Elsewhere, Trampoline Zone hosts more than 50 trampoline beds, six climbing walls, a ninja course with 15 obstacles, and indoor pickleball courts. When the sun sets, peer into the cosmos at the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory—home to the largest collection of telescopes for public viewing in the United States.
Find other fun ideas with our guide to family-friendly activities. And families can take a trip down memory lane by browsing the shelves at the last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon.
Central Oregon Mural Trail
Take the perfect photo, and indulge in the vibrant Central Oregon arts scene, with a trip along the Central Oregon Mural Trail.
Across the region, 10 murals pay tribute to Central Oregon with retro-inspired designs that pay homage to the “Greetings from …” postcards of yesteryear. The self-guided tour, available year-round, takes visitors to popular stops (like Bend and Sunriver), as well as more off-the-beaten-path communities (such as Maupin, Prineville, and La Pine); each unique design is adorned with flourishes that reflect (and pay tribute to) that specific community.
Dining Out Around Central Oregon
After a day of shopping, skiing, or admiring our murals, there’s no better way to unwind than over dinner and drinks at acclaimed restaurants in Central Oregon.
You’ll find fresh, local fare at food cart pods (many of which offer indoor seating and cozy fire pits for lazy winter hangs), casual eateries (where chefs whip up a globetrotting menu of international fare), and upscale establishments (many of which build inventive dishes around seasonal ingredients).
Our mixologists are no slouch, either, putting together creative cocktails at lounges, bistros, and bars around the region; start planning a memorable night out with our guide to bars in Central Oregon.
Rest and Relaxation at Resorts in Central Oregon
Get cozy with a stay at one of several lavish resorts in Central Oregon. These upscale overnight stays typically offer plush bedding, on-site eateries, and other attractions that may range from hot-spring pools to golf courses and sleigh rides.
The newest is Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort, which reopened in summer 2024 after a years-long closure in Warm Springs. There, daytime visitors and overnight guests can kick back and warm up in roughly 30 mineral-rich pools. In Bend, Tetherow pairs its luxe vacation rentals and lodge rooms with a year-round pool and easy access to the nearby Deschutes National Forest. Sunriver Resort hosts a wide range of overnight stays across several communities, holiday festivities, and a year-round aquatic park in the midst of a ponderosa pine forest. And Black Butte Ranch, a short drive from Sisters and Hoodoo Ski Area, brings together on-site restaurants, rental homes, and activities for the whole family.
Start planning your trip with our guides to resorts and lodging in Central Oregon.
Photo courtesy of Black Butte Ranch
