Cross-country skiing in Bend Oregon is a popular winter activity among locals and visitors alike.
There are many different places to cross country ski near Bend, each with their own charm and unique offerings.
Given so many choices, and considering variable drive times, weather, and snow conditions, it can be hard to decide where to go!
In this article we’ll be your local guides. We love cross-country skiing near Bend and are excited to help you plan your own adventure.
We’ll cover the best sno-parks, ski resorts, and other options for Bend Nordic skiing, providing our local tips along the way (including the best places to rent equipment).
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you purchase products mentioned in this post.
Cross-Country Skiing Near Bend – Overview
There are three main ways to cross-country ski near Bend.
- Sno-parks: There are 9 main sno-parks near Bend with marked, groomed, and ungroomed trails. You do need a sno-park permit (more on that later).
- Ski resorts: Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort and Hoodo Ski Area both have groomed Nordic ski trails that are typically of very high quality. That said, they usually cost money.
- Blaze your own path: As long as there is snow, you really can ski anywhere! For example, explore one of the parks in Bend.
Cross country skiing in central Oregon is generally possible between December and May, though it is usually best between January and March.
Of course, it depends on the snowpack, the time of year, and the elevation.
If you’re short on time, here’s a brief summary of cross-country skiing near Bend.
- If you want easy access to groomed, beginner friendly trails with a warming shelter, check out Virginia Meissner Sno Park.
- For an ungroomed but flat trail on a road with a waterfall at the end, choose Skyliner Sno Park.
- For the best mountain views but exposed, hilly, and ungroomed trails, don’t miss Three Creek Sno Park.
- For less crowds, a waterfall, and a lake view, check out Ten Mile Sno Park.
Cross-Country Skiing at Sno-Parks Near Bend
Sno-parks are the most common way to enjoy cross-country skiing near Bend.
The parking lots at sno-parks are plowed by the USFS (hence the sno-park permit), whereas local volunteer groups maintain the ski trails.
All 9 sno-parks near Bend that have ski trails are within 35 miles of town, making them easy to access.
The table below gives an overview of the sno-parks near Bend and the main characteristics of each.
| Snow Park | Great for | Drawbacks |
| Virginia Meissner | Close to Bend. Lots of trails. Groomed and ungroomed. Warming shelters. | Gets crowded on weekends. |
| Wanoga | Close to Bend. Sledding hill. Warming shelter. Dog and family friendly. | Small network of ski trails. Potential snowmobile noise. |
| Swampy Lakes | Lots of trails. Groomed and ungroomed. Warming shelters. | Not a lot of options for groomed trails. |
| Skyliner | Access to Tumalo Falls. Flat road. | No groomed trails. No warming shelter. |
| Vista Butte | Great views. Ungroomed trails. | Steep. No groomed trails. No real parking lot. No warming shelter. |
| Dutchman | Ungroomed trails. Access to Todd Lake. | Small parking lot. No warming shelter. No groomed trails. |
| Edison Butte | Dog friendly. Warming shelters. Ungroomed trails. | No groomed trails. |
| Three Creek | Great mountain views. Warming shelter. | Hills can be challenging. Exposed to potential bad weather. Potential snowmobile noise. |
| Ten Mile | Ungroomed trails. Access to Paulina Lake and Paulina Falls. | No groomed trails. Potential snowmobile noise. |
Map of Sno Parks Bend Oregon
Use the interactive map below to see the snow parks near Bend mentioned in this article. You can expand the map in a full window to use all the functionality.
The sno-parks near Bend with groomed ski trails are:
- Virginia Meissner
- Wanoga
- Swampy Lakes
Virginia Meissner has the largest network of groomed trails, which also connects to the trails from Swampy Lakes. Wanoga has a small network of groomed trails.
Besides those three, the other sno-parks near Bend have ungroomed, but marked, Nordic ski trails.
See the table below for an overview of the sno-parks near Bend.
| Sno Park | Miles From Bend | Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Dogs Permitted (Nov 1 – May 1) | Warming Shelter(s) |
| Virginia Meissner | 14 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Wanoga | 14 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swampy Lakes | 16 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Skyliner | 11 | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Vista Butte | 18 | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Kapka | 18 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Edison Butte | 22 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dutchman | 21 | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Three Creek | 33 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ten Mile | 33 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Now, let’s explore the best sno-parks near Bend with cross-country ski trails in more detail.
Sno-Parks with Groomed Cross-Country Ski Trails
The sno-parks near Bend with groomed ski trails are Virginia Meissner, Wanoga, and Swampy Lakes.
Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
The first sno-park you’ll see on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway is Virginia Meisser Sno-Park, about 14 miles from Bend.
This well-maintained park has 29 miles (47 km) of groomed and ungroomed ski trails suitable for all abilities and styles.
The trails are primarily forested (which is nice on a windy day) but there are still opportunities for landscape views.
There are four warming huts (shelters) that you can ski to, which often have wood stoves or other skiers warming up around a fire.
This is a great place to chat or break out that warm beverage you brought in your backpack.
Virginia Meissner Trail Map
Virginia Meissner Sno Park Information
Note that this is probably the most popular sno-park for cross country skiing near Bend and the parking lot does fill up.
Try to arrive before 9 am or after 2 pm on sunny weekends for the easiest time parking.
Overall, Meissner is a great place for everyone (except dogs which are not allowed) and even has snow-shoeing trails.
Local tip: Expect bad ski traffic to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway before 10 am and after 3 pm on weekends with good snow.
| Distance From Bend | 14 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowmobiling Launch | No |
| Warming Shelter(s) | Yes |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 5,395 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | No |
Wanoga Snow Play Area
Just a bit further up the highway is Wanoga Snow Play Area, another great place to cross-country ski near Bend, although it is relatively small. There are a few miles of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiers.
There is also a sledding hill which can be fun for the whole family. One parent can sled with the kids and the other can ski with the dog! There is also access to snowmobile trails and fat bike trails.
Wanoga Sno Park Trail Map
Wanoga Sno Park and Snow Play Area Information
Although the network of ski trails at Wanoga is relatively small, the advantages are clear: dog friendly, sledding hill, warming shelter (right next to sledding hill and parking lot), and diversity of activities.
| Distance From Bend | 14 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | No |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowmobiling Launch | Yes |
| Warming Shelter(s) | Yes |
| Sledding Hill | Yes |
| Elevation | 5,395 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | Yes |
Learn more about Wanoga Sno Park and Play Area.
Swampy Lakes Sno-Park
Swampy Lakes Sno-Park has a number of ungroomed (more on the west side) and groomed (more on the east side) trails that connect to the Virginia Meissner network.
Ungroomed trails are more challenging than groomed, so we recommend Swampy Lakes (and other ungroomed trail networks) for intermediate to advanced Nordic skiers.
Swampy also has access to four warming shelters, although two are more on the “Swampy side” as opposed to the Meissner side.
Swampy is generally less crowded than Virginia Meissner and Wanoga, though the parking lot can get crowded.
Swampy Lakes Sno-Park Trail Map
Swampy Lakes Sno Park Information
| Distance From Bend | 16 |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowmobiling Launch | No |
| Warming Shelter(s) | Yes, several |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 5,800 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | No |
Learn more about Swampy Lakes Sno Park.
Sno-Parks with Ungroomed Cross-Country Ski Trails
Skyliner Sno Park
Skyliner Sno Park is has several dog-friendly, ungroomed ski trails with rewarding views of Tumalo Falls (one of the best waterfalls near Bend), within a short drive from Bend.
Skyliner is in fact the closest sno-park to Bend but draws less crowds than Virginia Meissner and Wanoga.
The loop to Tumalo Falls is popular for Nording skiing, snowshoeing, and winter hiking, depending on the conditions.
Skyliner Sno Park Map
Skyliner Sno Park Information
We love the Tumalo Falls Nordic Road route. It’s about 2 miles from the parking lot to Tumalo Falls.
The road is relatively flat and one of our go-to places to cross-country ski near Bend.
| Distance From Bend | 11 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | No |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | No |
| Snowmobiling Launch | No |
| Warming Shelter(s) | No |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 4,800 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | Yes |
Learn more about Skyliner Sno Park.
Vista Butte Sno Park
Vista Butte has several ungroomed ski trails that are moderate difficulty with the opportunity for excellent views from the top of Vista Butte.
Of course, you’ll have to earn those views by climbing 500 vertical feet from the parking lot (this is not easy).
There are no dogs allowed at Vista Butte Sno Park it the winter. Also, the parking lot is actually just a pull off from the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
Local tip: If spots fill up, you can also park at Kapka Butte Sno Park and take the tie trail.
Vista Butte Sno Park Map
Vista Butte Sno Park Information
Vista Butte is best for intermediate to advanced Nordic skiers and snowshoers who want to get a workout in and earn some great views!
| Distance From Bend | 18 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | No |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | No |
| Snowmobiling Launch | No |
| Warming Shelter(s) | No |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 5,925 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | No |
Dutchman Sno Park
Dutchman Sno Park is right across from Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort and provides access to a fun network of ungroomed ski trails.
The small parking lot fills up quickly on weekends, as there are also snowmobile and snowshoe trails you can access from here. You can also park at Mt. Bachelor West Village and take the common corridor.
As with other sno-parks along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, traffic to and from Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort can be bad on the weekends.
Dutchman Sno Park Trail Map
Dutchman Sno Park Information
One particularly fun route is to check out Todd Lake via the cross-country or snowshoe trails at Dutchman Sno Park.
| Distance From Bend | 21 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | No |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowmobiling Launch | Yes |
| Warming Shelter(s) | No |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 6,350 |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | No |
Learn more about Dutchman Sno Park.
Edison Butte Sno Park
Edison Butte Sno Park provides access to a large network of ungroomed ski trails.
Although a bit of a drive from Bend (22 miles), there are usually less crowds. Dogs are allowed at Edison Butte Sno Park.
There are two shelters, but as of October 2023, one is undergoing repairs.
This is a reminder to support the volunteer organizations that work hard to maintain these trails and warming shelters. The Central Oregon Nordic Club maintains Edison Butte Sno Park. You can donate on their website.
Edison Butte Sno Park Trail Map
Edison Butte Sno Park Information
| Distance From Bend | 22 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | No |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowmobiling Launch | Yes |
| Warming Shelter(s) | Yes |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 5,040 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | Yes |
Learn more about Edison Butte Sno Park.
Three Creek Sno Park
Three Creek Sno Park has a medium-sized network of ungroomed ski trails with excellent mountain views of the Three Sisters and Broken Top.
There are actually two lots, an upper and lower. The lower is an overflow lot. Three Creek Sno Park is 33 miles from Bend and does allow dogs. There is a warming shelter.
This is our favorite snow park for fair weather because of the views. At the same time, the exposure isn’t great when it’s windy or snowy.
Three Creek Sno Park Trail Map
Three Creek Sno Park Information
| Distance From Bend | 33 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | No |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowmobiling Launch | Yes |
| Warming Shelter(s) | Yes |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 5,200 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | Yes |
Learn more about Three Creek Sno Park.
Ten Mile Sno Park
Ten Mile Sno Park offers a simple but rewarding network of combined ungroomed ski trails and snowshoe trails with opportunities for view of Paulina Creek, Paulina Falls, and Paulina Lake.
We definitely recommend checking out Paulina Falls which is incredibly beautiful when the temperatures get really cold and ice builds up.
Local tip: Keep an eye out for potential lunch at Paulina Lodge! Check their hours. Dogs are allowed at Ten Mile Sno Park.
Ten Mile Sno Park Trail Map
We recommend doing the Ponderosa Rim Trail. It’s marked but ungroomed. The view of both Paulina Falls and Paulina Lake are a real treat.
Ten Mile Sno Park Information
| Distance From Bend | 33 miles |
| Groomed Ski Trails (Marked) | No |
| Ungroomed Ski Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowshoe Trails (Marked) | Yes |
| Snowmobiling Launch | Yes |
| Warming Shelter(s) | Yes |
| Sledding Hill | No |
| Elevation | 5,595 ft |
| Dogs Permitted Nov 1 – May 1 | Yes |
How to Buy a Sno Park Permit
You must have a parking permit to park at Sno-Parks between November 1st and April 30th. These permits fund the removal of snow from the parking lots. You can buy the permit for three different intervals. Prices are as of November 2024.
- Annual Sno-Park Permit (November 1 – April 30) – $25
- 3-Day (consecutive) Sno-Park Permit – $9
- Daily Sno-Park Permit – $4
There are two ways to buy a sno-park permit in Bend. The first is from permit agents in retail stores. The retailers in Bend that sell the permit can be found at Oregon.gov.
The second way is to buy an annual permit online at DMV2U which includes a printable interim permit that you can use immediately.
More sno-park permit information:
- You can move a Sno-Park permit from one vehicle to another.
- You can use California and Idaho Sno-Park permits in Oregon.
- You can use Oregon Sno-Park permits in California and Idaho.
- You may get a fine for parking in a Sno-Park without a permit.
Learn more about sno-park permits at: Oregon.gov
Grooming and Volunteer Support
Maintaining the Central Oregon cross country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile trails is a collaborative effort between volunteer groups, clubs, and the US Forest Service.
Volunteer organizations are responsible for grooming and maintaining trails and stocking the warming shelter with firewood and maintaining the shelters. The USFS grooms the parking lots.
Each sno-park near Bend has an organization that maintains the trails/shelters at that sno-park. The table below shows this correspondence, as well links to their website where you can donate.
If you find value in these Central Oregon snow parks, please consider supporting the effort of these volunteer groups.
| Sno Park | Nordic Ski Trail, Snowshoe Trail, and Shelter Maintenance |
| Virginia Meissner | Meissner Nordic Ski Club |
| Wanoga | Dogpac |
| Swampy Lakes | Central Oregon Nordic Club |
| Skyliner | NA |
| Vista Butte | Central Oregon Nordic Club |
| Kapka | NA |
| Edison Butte | Central Oregon Nordic Club |
| Dutchman Flat | Central Oregon Nordic Club |
| Three Creek | Central Oregon Nordic Club |
| Ten Mile | Central Oregon Nordic Club |
Cross Country Skiing at Ski Resorts Near Bend
In addition to sno-parks, there are two ski resorts that offer Nordic skiing: Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort and Hoodoo Ski Area.
These ski resorts are at higher elevations than the sno-parks and offer expansive views of the stunning Central Oregon landscape.
Cross Country Skiing Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers 35 miles of groomed trails. Enjoy the perks of a full-service ski resort complete with rentals, lessons, a retail store, and expertly maintained trails.
A variety of trails are suitable for all skill-levels and offer beautiful alpine views in addition to forested tranquility. Of course, all of these benefits come with a cost!
Cross Country Skiing Hoodoo Ski Area
Hoodoo Ski Area also has a variety of Nordic trails. They groom during the weekends and charge a fee. However, when they don’t groom the trails are free!
Nordic skiers are presented with excellent views of Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Washington as they explore the network of trails. Hoodoo also offers rentals and lessons.
Where to Rent Cross-Country Skis in Bend
For those without their own equipment, renting cross-country skis and snowshoes is a breeze. Check out the following places to rent gear in Bend:
- Powder House Ski & Snowboard: As one of the long-standing Bend local shops, Powder House is a go-to for winter gear rentals.
- Mountain Supply: Mountain Supply has been a fixture in the Bend ski and snowboard scene for over 40 years and offers a wide selection of winter gear rentals.
- Pine Mountain Sports: Another great option for renting winter gear in Bend.
Winter Tours and Lessons in Bend
Tours and lessons are a great way to get into the winter activities near Bend.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoe Tours and Lessons
Wanderlust Tours hosts a variety of tours year-round. Their winter tours include daytime and nighttime snowshoeing options.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort offers cross-country skiing lessons. This is probably the most flexible option for one-time cross country skiing lessons near Bend.
The Bend Endurance Academy offers Nordic skiing lessons for all ages. These lessons are hosted weekly as part of an 8-week program. This option is great for locals who are able to attend one session each week.
Conclusion
We hope you found this information helpful and inspiring in support of your experience cross-country skiing near Bend!
if you have the time, there are so many other fun things to do in Bend during the winter.
If you’re planning a trip to Bend, check out where to stay and other things to do in Bend.
Also, subscribe to our YouTube and follow us on Instagram for more inspiration for exploring the PNW. Happy roaming!
