Weekend Ski Trip to Bend, Oregon

Not far from Portland, Oregon just down the highway, 3 hours away is Bend, Oregon home to Mt. Bachelor ski resort. Mt Bachelor is home to some of the best skiing in the Pacific Northwest. After several trips to Bend, I’ve put together a 3- day itinerary to Bend, Oregon to help you plan your weekend ski trip to Bend.

Before you leave on your trip double-check to make sure you’ve packed everything you will need with our Ski Trip packing list.

Day 1

Today you are driving to Bend and will have to decide what to do base on home much time you have when you arrive. Since you will have an early day tomorrow, you won’t want to stay out to late.

Your family will adore staying at Tetherow Resort, home to the 54th ranked golf course in America. This luxury property boasts one-bedroom suites large enough to accommodate families with 6 family members. Tetherow Resort is located at 61234 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend, OR 97702. Their phone number is 877. 298.2582

Tetherow Lodge

Dinner: Tonight have dinner at The Lot located on 745 Northwest Columbia Street, Bend, OR 97701. They are open until 9 pm. Bend’s “The Lot” is a collection of five unique, local food carts serving up a variety of dishes sure to find an appetite in your group. Throw in 16 taps of beer, heated seats and an enclosed eating area to keep you toasty even in the coldest conditions and you have one of the most interesting dining options in Central Oregon.

If for some reason they are too crowded or your kids refuse to sit outside at a food court then go have dinner at McMenamins Old St. Francis School.

Day 2

Breakfast: Start your day off with breakfast at Tetherow Grill. The Grill offers upscale, yet traditional breakfast favorites like pancakes and egg scrambles along with uniquely Pacific Northwest fare such as Tetherow Benedict with sautéed leeks and duck confit.

Breakfast at Tetherow Grill in Bend, Oregon

After breakfast, you are off to Mt. Bachelor (about 18 miles away) for a full day of fun.

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort is a complete snow sports resort. It offers 360-degree lift-served groomed skiing and riding from its volcanic summit. Off the groomed, there is plenty of untouched tree skiing over Bachelor’s 3,683 acres. Mt. Bachelor welcomes skiers, snowboarders with 10 chairlifts, including 7 high-speed quads, and choice of 88 runs to accommodate the novice, intermediate, advanced and expert ski enthusiasts.

Snowshoe Tour

Arrive by 9:40 in order to participate in the 10 a.m. Guided snowshoe tour of Deschutes National Forest near Mt. Bachelor. Join a US Forest Service Naturalist for FREE 90 minute interpretive tours. Learn about winter ecology at Mt. Bachelor and the geology of Central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest watershed and the plants and animals found throughout the area.

Please dress for the weather; snowshoes are provided and no previous experience is required.
Participants need to be older than 8 years old and wear snow boots and warm winter clothing.
Check-in 10-15 minutes prior to time of tour at the USFS snowshoe hut just outside the Guest Services building in West Village

Skiing

After your snowshoe tour head to the Mt. Bachelor Ticket Office where you can purchase your ski passes. Enjoying skiing and snowboarding Mt. Bachelor the rest of today. Take a break midway through the day and have lunch inside the lodge. The cafeteria has lots of options.

Dinner: Once you’ve had your fill of skiing head back to Tetherow to clean up before heading out for dinner at Bend Brewing Co. in Downtown Bend located at 1019 Northwest Brooks Street, Bend, OR 97701. Bend Brewing Co. is a true local’s favorite when it comes to great beer and great food in a laid back environment. The restaurant is tucked behind downtown’s main streets and overlooks the Deschutes River. They have a hearty kids’ menu available.

Day 3

Breakfast: Today have breakfast at the Original Pancake house. The portions are huge and the prices are cheap.

After breakfast head decide if you want to ski again or not. If you want to go skiing again head back to Mt. Bachelor and have fun.

High Desert Museum

If you do not want to ski again head over to the High Desert Museum on 59800 South Highway 97, Bend, OR 97702. This is a one-of-a-kind museum that reveals the nature of things in the West’s high desert through artful exhibits, alluring animals, engaging programs and meaningful history.

The High Desert Museum is consistently rated as a top Central Oregon attraction by Trip Advisor. With 135 acres and more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space, it’s a “must see” for anyone traveling through the area. Get a close-up of native wildlife, such as an otter, bobcat, porcupine, and badger. Talk with historic characters who share the tales of early Oregon explorers and settlers. Visit an authentic homestead and sawmill from 1904. Experience a close flying encounter with owls, falcons, hawks and even a vulture. Learn about Native American culture and history that bring history and science to life.

Lunch: After the museum, enjoy a late lunch at Deschutes Brewery.