Beautiful Bend is just a short, scenic 2 1/2-hour drive over the mountains from Eugene, and winter is an extra festive time for sun-seeking outdoors enthusiasts to visit. While a trip to Central Oregon has much to offer year-round, there’s something magical about a “cozy season” visit for sun- and snow-deprived Eugenians, and Bend has plenty of options for active and relaxing ways to recharge.
Bend is a small city (or big town, depending on your perspective) of just over 100,000 residents in Central Oregon’s high desert. Located east of the Cascade Range along the sparkling Deschutes River, surrounded by the beautiful volcanic peaks of the Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor, it is also a gateway to two of the seven Wonders of Oregon: Smith Rock State Park and the Painted Hills. One of the unique things about this picturesque area is the diversity of landscape, from brisk alpine lakes to otherworldly rock formations, and the dry climate equals more blue-sky days to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Add wonderful restaurants, craft breweries, shopping, and spas, and you have your perfect recipe for a getaway.
Year-Round Outdoor Paradise
Each season in the greater Bend area boasts many reasons to visit and plenty of activities to enjoy, indoors and out. Generally, spring and fall mean fewer crowds and pleasant weather, making them great times to visit. In spring, winter sports like snowshoeing and skiing are still going strong, and fairer-weather pursuits like rock climbing, fly fishing, waterfall chasing, and wildflower hikes are just getting underway. The summer months are among the most popular times to visit but temperatures can get hot and popular sights crowded. Fun summer activities include watersports (paddle boarding and kayaking on area lakes, and floating the Deschutes), higher-elevation hiking, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, outdoor music festivals, and more. Come fall, cooler temperatures and colorful leaves bring welcome relief for rock climbers, bikers, hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Winter Recreation
Winter is when the magic of Bend comes alive. From glistening slopes to festive fun, the winter wonderland months are the perfect time for a Central Oregon getaway. For skiers, Bend is home to one of the best ski resorts in North America, Mt. Bachelor (mtbachelor.com). The Hoodoo Ski Area Resort (skihoodoo.com), about an hour drive northwest from Bend, is a smaller, more economical alternative, and both resorts are also known for snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. Other popular snowshoeing trails include the Todd Lake Loop Trail, Swampy Lakes Sno-Park Trail (with a warming shelter), and the Meissner Ski/Snowshoe Tangent Loop. For an upscale snowshoeing experience, Wanderlust Tours (wanderlusttours.com) has special events every season in Bend, including memorable guided tours in the winter. “Starlight Snowshoe Tours” (November-April), “Geminids Meteor Shower Snowshoe Tour” (December), and “New Year’s Eve Bonfire on the Snow” are among the special options to choose from this season.
For hikers, there are plenty of trails to enjoy during the winter months, too. Smith Rock State Park can be sweltering in the summer, making fall to winter a nice time to brave Misery Ridge and other beautiful view trails. The Tam-a-Lau Trailhead at Cove Palisades State Park features panoramic views from the top of a lava plateau and makes a good winter hike. Steelhead Falls is a nice, easy trail that is open year-round and is very photogenic in winter. For a low-key ramble in town, the Deschutes River Trail through the heart of downtown is worth a visit, as is Drake Park.
Ice skating is another fun and festive way to celebrate the winter months in Bend, and there are several good options. Locals and visitors alike flock to Seventh Mountain Resort’s (seventhmountain.com) outdoor rink, Central Oregon’s oldest rink, which is surrounded by lit-up pine trees and has cozy fire pits. The Pavillion in Bend (bendparksandrec.org) is another popular option and offers open skating, ice hockey, and curling. Family-favorite The Village at Sunriver (villageatsunriver.com) is another good choice.
Stay & Savor
There’s a restaurant to please every palate in Bend. For casual or takeout, try Sparrow Bakery (thesparrowbakery.net), known for tasty pastries and breads. Nancy P’s Cafe & Bakery (nancyps.com) has a dog-friendly patio and offers breakfast, lunch, and sweets, and their savory pockets (veggie or meat and egg) are a good option before a day in the mountains. For casual international fare, the Podski food cart lot (thepodski.com) features tasty bites “from the soul of Mexico to the heart of Bangkok” and is open every day, including in the winter. Deschutes Brewery (deschutesbrewery.com) has good food and local beers on tap, and Crater Lake Spirits (craterlakespirits.com) has tasting flights and a creative cocktail menu with fresh, local ingredients.
For a nice dinner out, try Ariana Restaurant (arianarestaurantbend.com), offering seasonal chef’s tasting menus and a comprehensive wine list. Bos Taurus (bostaurussteak.com), a modern American steakhouse in downtown Bend, features high-quality beef and inventive ingredients. The adventure doesn’t just start with the food . . . you get to choose your own steak knife from a selection presented to you. 900 Wall (900wall.com) offers seasonally inspired menus with strong French and Italian influences, and has a nice wine list and bar. For gorgeous mountain views and an overall upscale ranch vibe, head out to Brasada Ranch for family-friendly farm-to-table dining at the Ranch House (brasada.com/bend-oregon-dining/ranch-house) or upscale dining at Wild Rye (brasada.com/bend-oregon-dining/wild-rye — reservations open to non-resort guests). The immense 2,000-acre property was once a sheep ranch and is now a luxury resort. Brasada Ranch offers a “Trails and Treats” horse ride (adults only), where you can ride to the most scenic viewpoint on the property. Once there, sip hot cocoa and roast s’mores. Stargazing nights at Brasada are open to non-resort guests. They also have holiday tree lighting, letters to Santa, and carriage rides. Celebrate the seasons with a peppermint pedicure at their spa. Stay for sunset over the Cascades!
Try award-winning wines at Stoller Wine Bar – Bend (stollerwinegroup.com) or Domaine Serene Wine Lounge (domaineserenewinelounge.com). Housed in a historic 1917 building, the wine, and the atmosphere, is elegant and beautiful. You can also enjoy speakeasy-style cocktails in the underground Spirits Lounge, where you can play vinyl records while you sip. Steven Evans has worked in the wine world for 18 years but wasn’t excited about it until he started working at Domaine Serene just a few months after it opened three years ago. “Domain Serene is unlike most wineries in America,” Evans says. “Everything we do is old-world style, with no additives or anything.” Domaine Serene is the most awarded winery in North America, having won 22 medals, including 4 prestigious gold medals and 14 silver medals at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards, alone, but Evans says beyond the delicious wine, it’s the good people that make it an incredible place to work and visit.
The Oxford Hotel (oxfordhotelbend.com) is the eco-chic place to stay while enjoying amenities like Tesla charging stations and same day dry cleaning. Got a musician in your group? The Oxford has Breedlove guitars available for checkout, along with complimentary cruiser bikes.
Pampering and Shopping
If your idea of a getaway includes pampering treatments or spas, Bend has plenty of options. The newly reopened Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort (kahneeta.com) — the first destination resort east of the Cascades — is open for day-use and overnight guests looking to relax and recharge. The natural hot springs are a highlight, and the resort has a sauna, steam room, soaking tubs, and more. Another fun option is McMenamins Old St. Francis School (mcmenamins.com) in downtown Bend, with a semi-enclosed public soaking pool surrounded by mosaics in a historic building for hotel guests and day-users alike. Of course, the beer, wine, spirits, and food at McMenamins is always a treat.
Visit Lark Mountain Modern (larkmountainmodern.com) and take home something new for your home, or as a gift, that celebrates our modern connection to nature through flawless design and style. Glasses, art, rugs, bedding and pillows — all perfectly curated for an elevated Northwest aesthetic. North Soles Footwear (northsolesfootwear.com) has an incredible selection of footwear and unique clothing. You’ll find styles you love from high-end brands you won’t find anywhere else. Anjou Spa (anjourspa.com) is as nice as it gets. From facials to saunas and bridal groups, enjoy pampering like a 60-minute hot stone massage. A machine-assisted massage uses manually applied suction for a powerfully therapeutic massage. Products are organic and natural, cruelty free.
Special Winter Events & Unique Experiences
Craft beer lovers planning a winter trip over the mountains are in luck because November kicks off the “Bend Ale Trail” (bendaletrail.com) month in Central Oregon. Launched in 2010 as the “first beer trail in the West,” the ale trail is a self-guided tour of 30 breweries and tasting rooms in towns spanning Sisters, Prineville, Redmond, and Bend. Participants can pick up a free collectible passport at the Bend Visitor’s Center or download the free app to take part.
If you’re heading to Bend in February, mark your calendar for the Bend WinterFest (oregonwinterfest.com), a three-day “celebration of light, ice, and fire.” Located in the Old Mill District, this festive event has winter cheer for everyone in the family, and food cart pods scattered throughout the event will provide sustenance for the whole crew. A few of the many fun activities that will take place are the “wine walk,” featuring wines from around the globe; amusement park rides; light art and ice carving; and much more.
Getting to Bend
The fastest route to Bend from Eugene is the drive on Highway 126 via Santiam Pass. For a special treat, take a scenic detour to the photogenic Goodpasture Bridge in Vida, which is decorated with wreaths and lights for the holiday season. Another travel option is to take the Pacific Crest Bus Lines’ (pacificcrestbuslines.net/routes/bend-to-eugene) Bend-to-Eugene bus.
Bend has much to offer any time of year for outdoor recreational enthusiasts and those seeking a pampering getaway alike, but the cozy winter months are the perfect time to plan that trip you’ve been craving.
