Winter in Bend- Where to take the family for snow fun and sledding in town?

Winter in Bend is a magical time of year!

There is something for everyone here in any season, and all the great options for Winter fun are just another reason to love where we live! Or maybe in your case, why you might be considering a move to Central Oregon!

Things to do in Central Oregon in Winter can pretty much be divided into a few categories:

Indoor

Outdoor

Active

Mellow

It all depends on your affinity for the bright, crisp winter sunshine we have in Bend!

Bend is an outdoor lover’s paradise and that includes winter sports too! If you are an adventure seeker willing to bundle up and buy or rent the gear, there are a TON of winter activities in Bend for all ages.

ACTIVE + OUTDOOR

Bend is the perfect place for outdoor adventurers to explore and experience the beauty of the season.

The Central Oregon region is home to several ski resorts, including Hoodo, Willamette Pass, Warner Canyon Ski Hill.

The most popular and well known Bend area ski resort is Mt. Bachelor, which offers over 3,600 acres of groomed runs, terrain parks, and backcountry skiing.

Here are the top winter activities in Bend:

1. Skiing and Snowboarding:

With 4 regional ski areas you will never get bored.

Pro Tip: Avoid crowds by skiing on weekdays or trying out one of the smaller ski areas or save yourself some money by trying one of the smaller options.

2. Snowshoeing:

A more economical and safe alternative to snowboarding and skiing.

Used gear is cheap and easy to come by and Central Oregon has 14 snow parks - Virginia Meissner Sno-Park is one of our favorites!

Remember, Sno-Park permits are required in designated Sno-Parks from November 1 – April 30.

Read signage carefully so you don’t find yourself mashing through a Nordic Ski trail or confronted with a snowmobile.

3. Snow Tubing:

Everyone loves hurtling downhill in an inner tube, right?!

Hoodoo or Mt. Bachelor are going to be the best options for getting a long and thrilling tube ride.

Wanoga Snow Play area is a good option open to the public that only requires a sno-park parking pass.

4. Ice Skating:

This is a fun activity that tests your balance and agility!

The most well known rinks in Bend are at the Pavillion, which has designated free skate hours, and Seventh Mountain Resort, where you can reserve your time slot online.

Some lesser known options include the Sunriver Ice Rink in Sunriver Village, or the rink located in Redmond at the Downtown Plaza, on 7th Street Between SW Deschutes Ave and SW Evergreen Ave.

5. Sledding:

Another great option for getting kids out of the house for hours.

Of course there are the snow parks and Wanoga Play area, mentioned above.

If you want to stay in town, check out Al Moody Park, “The Pit” an area in a SW Bend neighborhood close to Pine Ridge Park, or Hollinshead Park for some low key, free, and easy to access spots.

6. Cross-Country Skiing:

When there is snow on the ground in Bend, cross country skiing is something you can do almost anywhere.

For some off the grid options, try any one of the sno-parks off Century Drive as you head to Mt. Bachelor, the area around Phil's Trail, or even out at Shevlin Park.

If you want to get the canine friend of the house for this activity, Wanoga offers a dog-friendly groomed trail and there are also a couple other ungroomed trail options where dogs are allowed at Skyliner, Edison and Kapka Butte Sno-Parks.

7. Snowmobiling:

For those who prefer more sightseeing and something a little less physical, the Deschutes National Forest is a great place to adventure.

The Forest Service offers a great list of Snowmobiling Areas here. Paulina Lake Lodge in the Newberry Volcanic Monument is a great location for wintertime snowmobiling and an overnight stay in their rustic mountain cabins.

If you don’t have your own snowmobile and just want to try it for fun, there are several companies that you can rent a machine from or sign up for a tour.

8. Fat Tire Biking:

If you love mountain biking you’d probably be a good fit for a fat tire bike.

A ‘fat tire’ has a minimum width of 3.5 inches and typically you will want to decrease your tire pressure to 4-5 psi, which will give you better traction and leave a shallower rut.

Wanoga, Dutchman Flat and Phil’s trails all offer snow trail options, but if you’ve got fat tires on your bike you can pretty much commute anywhere in town in winter weather.

9. Fishing:

Summer brings fair weather fishing crowds, yet winter provides a unique opportunity for the die-hards to enjoy some solitude and river banks to themselves.

Popular areas for winter fishing are the Metolius River, the Deschutes River, from Meadow Camp to Benham Falls, the Fall River, and Ana River located near Summer Lake.

Whatever activity you choose in winter, remember that for ALL outdoor sport options require warm gear and preparation is a must!

Expect to encounter varying conditions throughout the day so you’ll want waterproof winter boots, snow pants and lots of layers. Bring a pack to stash away extra gear, pack water, and snacks.

MELLOW WINTER ACTIVITIES

If you’re looking for more easygoing, family-friendly activities in Bend, here’s our list of mellow indoor Central Oregon snow-centered fun:

1. Take an easy winter hike:

Smith Rock State Park and The Oregon Desert Trail in the Badlands is often snow-free with great hiking trails and amazing views.

Pilot Butte, which is closed to cars in the winter or Horse Ridge may require some traction for your shoes but offers stunning views of the city landscape and the snow-capped Cascade Mountains.

2. Go to the movies:

Our favorite local theater in Bend is McMenamins Old St. Francis School Theater. Bend also has a Regal for IMAX lovers or the Tower Theater for some more specialty shows and classics.

3. Visit a museum:

A local favorite is just south of town - the High Desert Museum - which showcases regional wildlife, culture, art, and natural resources together while promoting the heritage of North America's high desert country.

Located in downtown Bend, there is also the Deschutes Historical Museum, which has rotating exhibits, promotes education, research, and shares our region’s unique history.

4. Pools:

Swimming in winter is easy in Bend. Juniper Pool and Fitness Center and Larkspur Pool are the two most accessible indoor pools for the public.

There are other spots that you may have to pay a little more to play at, and they could be worthwhile. Places like the soaking pool at McMenamins Old St Francis School, the year-round heated outdoor pools at Seventh Mountain Resort, or Sunriver’s SHARC Aquatic Center.

5. Stroll/Shop Downtown:

Bend has a quaint, historic, and chic downtown center to stroll, shop, and eat. Very walkable with ample parking, both paid and free.

There is the First Friday Art Walk every month in Downtown Bend. The Old Mill district is nearby for shopping, eating, and strolling along the Deschutes River. And remember, Oregon has no sales tax!

6. Indoor Sports:

Want to stay active but not a fan of the cold?

Bend has axe throwing at Unofficial Logging Company for a new experience to test your skills! There’s also Bend Cyclebar, Bowling, Cascade Indoor Sports,, Walt Reily’s, and the Hideaway Tavern.

7. Music:

Many breweries and restaurants host music throughout the season. Venues like the Midtown Ballroom, Volcanic Theater, Tower Theater, and the Capitol are more formal music venues that bring in popular names.

8: Fun Centers:

These venues are mostly for kids, but the majority of them do a good job catering to adults’ needs, too.

Comfy couches, free wifi, adult beverages and snacks make these places a good option for when the weather outside is too cold or wet.

Popular options are jump parks like Mountain Air Trampoline Park or the Trampoline Zone. For the bigger kids, K1 offers indoor Kart racing that can be fun for the whole family. Vector Volcano has vintage video games, Cascade Indoor Sports has a giant play zone, and Sun Mountain Fun Center offers bowling, bumper cars, arcade games.

9. Winter Fest: This huge multi day event happens every February at the Expo Center in Redmond. There are multiple stages for music, ice sculptures, fire pits, light exhibits, a fun run and carnival games make for a fun way to celebrate the season.

As you can see, there’s a wide variety of events to enjoy in Bend all winter long - whether you’re an outdoor lover, an axe thrower, or a live music devotee.

We post monthly Bend events on Instagram, so that’s another great way to see what you can get up to any time of year.

And as always, we’re always your go-to resource for any ideas for what to do, see, and experience when you’re here in beautiful Central Oregon!