Making your way to Oregon is always a delight, but when your travel sights happen to be on Bend in the winter—the potential for fun is endless! Whether you’re one for skiing, restaurant hopping, shopping, or exploring the trails, Bend is a place that’s packed with attractions and activities sure to inspire travelers of all types! This beautiful destination hosts amazing scenery that ranges from mountains and waterways to lush forests. All of it really has a way of coming to life when the temperatures drop and the fresh powder falls. Surrounding mountains can get up to 30 feet of snow each year while in-town destinations enjoy a light dusting on average. That means the options are versatile when it comes to indulging your winter travel tastes and preferences. The following are just a few of the many reasons why it’s well worth your time to visit Bend, Oregon in winter.
Ski Your Way Through Winter
Bend is an amazing destination to visit year-round but when the fresh powder falls, its mountainous terrain makes it a prime stop for those with a passion for downhill skilling and slope-side adventures. Bend sits within proximity to Mt. Bachelor which proves season after season to be an enormous draw for those who just can’t wait to savor long runs and all of those ski resort extras that make the experience so exceptional to enjoy with family and friends. Bend is also within reach of the Hoodoo Ski Area. Here, downhill enthusiasts can spend time snowboarding, skiing, or taking to the cross-country ski trails alike. Lift tickets to both destinations can easily be purchased online in advance to make your day on the slopes fun and to help visitors keep in line with health regulations that might currently be in place.
Enjoy Exciting Winter Activities and Tours
While skiing is sure to be a highlight of a winter Bend getaway, those who prefer a bit more guidance when it comes to their itinerary will find there are plenty of tours and things to do in Bend in winter to make the most of the snowy terrain and activities. Wanderlust Tours offers hided snowshoe hiking throughout the city and surrounding areas upon request. There are also options to book a guide for an afternoon of snowmobiling if a more thrilling pace is your particular style. Of course, Bend is home to plenty of wintertime ice rinks as well if you’re just looking to get out there and skate your way through a winter day. Ultimately, the options are all yours to embrace!
Explore the Bend Ale Trail
Those who prefer to make their winter trip one that revolves around flavor will want to be sure to set aside time to check out the iconic Bend Ale Trail while they’re in town. This route gives visitors access to a collection of some of the area’s finest breweries where they can sample the goods and add a stamp to their Ale Trail passport as they go. Each brewery on the itinerary features its own unique lineup of flavors and brewery tours are always available upon request as well.
Do Some Winter Hiking
Visiting Bend, Oregon in winter doesn’t mean you have to stay cozied up indoors. While this is always an option, the many trails that make their way through this city are equally inviting in the winter as they are in the summertime. If you’re a traveler that loves to lace up their boots and trek exciting winter routes, there are plenty to choose from. Try Pilot Butte or Smith Rock State Park to start things off. A hike to Horse Ridge is always a delight when you’re looking for stunning views of the Cascade Mountains covered in snow. The Oregon Desert Trail is just as appealing to those who are excited to take their trekking adventures to a new level of challenging this winter.
Shop and Dine Your Way Through a Stay
A winter getaway enjoyed in Bend is a great time to check out the city’s many fantastic restaurants and shops as well. Focus your exploration on downtown and the Old Mill District when you want to get a comprehensive and authentic taste of what the area has to offer. Both districts are very pedestrian-friendly and enjoy a wide variety of stops you can step into and check out while you’re exploring.
Book Your Bend Adventure Today
There’s no reason to wait when you’re ready to book the adventure of a lifetime in Bend. When you need accommodations to match the fun, be sure to partner with the property professionals at Arrived. We’ll help you get settled into a home away from home that brings comfort, beauty, and convenience into the experience you deserve. Reach out today to learn more about our many property options across Bend and beyond and to begin planning things to do in Bend in winter. We can’t wait to see you here soon!
