Virginia Meissner Sno-Park is one of the best sno-parks near Bend for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
You’ll find a large network of groomed and ungroomed Nordic ski trails and marked snowshoe trails at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park.
There are both classic and skate cross-country ski trails at Virginia Meissner, making this a versatile location for both styles.
In this guide, we’ve gathered our local knowledge to help you make the most of this vibrant and accessible outdoor snowy paradise near Bend.
Virginia Meissner Sno Park: Overview
Winter activities: Virginia Meissner Sno Park is one of the best sno-parks near Bend for cross-country skiing (skate and classic) and snowshoeing.
Location and Accessibility: Virginia Meissner Sno Park is easy to access from Bend. Just a 20-minute drive, and right off SW Century Drive, Virginia Meissner Sno-Park is easy to reach in all but the worst of winter conditions.
Parking Permit: You must have a Sno-Park Parking Permit to park at Virginia Meissner Sno Park. In fact, the permit is required at most of the sno-parks near Bend (more on that below).
Dogs are not permitted: Leave your furry friend at home. If you must bring them, see which snow parks near Bend allow them.
Winter Activities at Virginia Meissner Sno Park
The two main activities are cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Snowmobiling is not possible at Virginia Meissner.
Cross Country Skiing Virginia Meissner
The park’s main draw is the large network of cross-country skiing trails, groomed for both skate and classic styles.
In total, there are about 29 miles (47 km) of Nordic trails at Virginia Meissner, with varying difficulty suitable for all skill levels.
In fact, Virginia Meissner has the largest network of groomed ski trails in central Oregon. Local tip: This trail network is also accessible via Swampy Lakes Sno-Park.
Grooming at Virginia Meissner is done by the Meissner Nordic Ski Club, a non-profit organization funded by donations that does a great job maintaining the trails.
The trails are well marked and there are tons of different loop options (see the map below).
Snowshoeing at Virginia Meissner
If snowshoeing is more your style, there is a large network of snowshoe trails at Virginia Meissner Sno Park. The loop options allow you to customize your adventure.
One great out-and-back route is the trail to Meissner Shelter from the parking lot, which is about 1.25 miles one way (2.5 miles round-trip).
If you’re up for more, try the 3-mile loop that also goes to the Meissner Shelter.
Local tip: Because these snowshoe trails are so popular, the snow is often packed down enough where you don’t need snowshoes. Therefore, you can usually get away with normal boots if it hasn’t snowed recently.
Virginia Meissner Sno Park Trail Map
The map below is the official trail map. It shows the Nordic ski trails (mostly groomed) and the snowshoe trails.
You can see that the snowshoe and ski trails connect with those from Swampy Lakes Sno-Park to the west, which adds even more accessible terrain.
Warming Huts at Virginia Meissner
Many sno-parks near Bend have warming huts (also known as shelters) that usually have a wood stove and benches.
These warming huts serve as a cozy refuge for visitors and are especially delightful during stormy weather.
In all, there are three shelters at Virginia Meissner sno-park. They are shown on the trail map above.
There are usually other folks warming up around the wood stove, so the shelters are also a great place to socialize.
Local tip: We recommend bringing a hot beverage, a snack, and maybe a good book to enjoy in the warming shelter.
Other Things to Note When Visiting Virginia Meissner
Before you head out, keep these tips in mind to make the most of your visit and avoid mistakes we have made.
Parking and Facilities at Virginia Meissner Sno Park
Parking: The parking lot at Virginia Meissner can get crowded, especially on weekends. Arrive before 9:00 am or after 2:00 pm for the best chance to secure a spot.
That said, unless it is super crowded you can usually drive around the loop a few times and catch someone leaving.
If the lot is full, here is a backup plan: check out the Swampy Sno Park or Wanoga Snow Play Area, both of which have groomed Nordic ski trails and snowshoe trails.
Restrooms: Primitive restroom facilities are available and are typically well-maintained for visitor convenience.
Trail Etiquette at Virginia Meissner Sno Park
It is important to maintain proper trail etiquette, especially when the trails become crowded. Follow these guidelines to ensure you help keep the trails safe:
- Ski on the right-hand side of the trail
- Pass on the left side and say “on your left”
- Move to the side of the trail when stopped
- Snowshoers are encouraged to follow marked trails and not use the groomed ski trails. It breaks up the groomed trail which can be dangerous for skiers.
- Respect the classic ski tracks. Don’t walk on or mess up the tracks.
- Skiers coming downhill have the right-of-way
Other Highlights of Virginia Meissner Sno Park
Night skiing and stargazing: Consider packing your headlamp (and some batteries or second light source) and take to the trails at night for a unique experience. It is recommended to bring a buddy.
Sunset ski: The sunsets can be an amazing backdrop to the snowy landscape. The Meissner Shelter is a great place to get a bit of a vantage point for sunset (or sunrise).
Renting Equipment
Renting cross-country skis and snowshoes in Bend is a breeze. Check out the following places to rent gear:
- 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.
Grooming and Volunteer Support
Virginia Meissner Sno-Park is known for its well-groomed trails, a testament to the dedication of volunteers at the Meissner Nordic Club who work hard to keep them in top condition.
Donating to the grooming fund is encouraged, as the park relies on volunteer support to operate smoothly. Donate online at their website.
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 January 2025.
- 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.
Learn more about sno-park permits at: Oregon.gov
Weather Forecasts and Other Resources
Here is our favorite forecast for Virginia Meissner weather: NOAA weather forecast.
You can also find up to date road conditions and road cameras on TripCheck.
For up-to-date grooming and conditions reports, check out the Meissner Nordic conditions grooming report.
Other Places to Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski Near Bend
Don’t stop at Meissner. There are tons of other options to snowshoe and cross-country ski near Bend.
In fact, there are 10 sno-parks within 35 miles of Bend that have cross country skiing or snowshoeing.
Learn more in our full guide to sno-parks near Bend.
In addition, Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort has an expansive network of Nordic trails that range in difficulty. They also have a variety of snowshoe trails and gear rentals.
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.
Conclusion
We hope you feel excited and prepared to check out Virginia Meissner Sno-Park. It’s no doubt one of the best sno-parks near Bend.
If you are interested, learn more about other places to cross country ski near Bend or check out our full guide to skiing near Bend.
We also have a lot of other articles about Central Oregon. If you are in Bend in the winter, learn more fun things to do in Bend in the winter.
Also, subscribe to our YouTube and follow us on Instagram to level up your adventures in the Pacific Northwest. Happy roaming!
2 Comments
In the Trail Etiquette section, consider including, “skiers coming downhill have the right-of-way”. That will eliminate the ambiguity (and it’s the right thing to do).
Just added that! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂