Vista Butte Sno Park provides access to ungroomed Nordic ski trails. Accessible and popular, this Sno Park, is especially great for intermediate, ungroomed ski trails and backcountry skiing.
In this guide, we’ll give you local tips to help you make the most of Vista Butte Sno Park near Bend.
Vista Butte Sno Park: Must Know Information
Before embarking on your winter adventure, here are some key details you need to know:
- Location and Accessibility: Vista Butte Sno Park is easy to access from Bend. Just 18 miles from Bend, and right along Century Drive, it is easy to reach in all but the worst of winter conditions. Of course, you should have snow-worthy tires. The roads and parking lot can be icy and snowy.
- Parking Permit: You must have a Sno-Park Parking Permit. In fact, the permit is required at most of the sno-parks near Bend. You must buy it at local outdoor stores or you can purchase the annual version online (more info below).
- Dogs are not permitted: You cannot bring your dog to Vista Butte Sno Park. See the snow parks near Bend that do allow dogs in our full guide to snow parks near Bend.
Winter Activities at Vista Butte Sno Park
Cross-Country Skiing
Vista Butte Sno Park has ungroomed, but marked, cross-country skiing trails. There is a relatively small network of trails. The main prize for many is the views from the top of Vista Butte, which is about a 700-foot climb from the parking lot.
Vista Butte Backcountry Skiing
Vista Butte is great for beginner and intermediate backcountry skiers and snowboarders. There is a relatively easy approach on the west side that climbs 2.5 miles and 700 feet to the summit.
When Mt. Bachelor and Tumalo Mountain (also a popular backcountry ski spot) are windy, Vista Butte is a good option. The slopes are primarily forested, so it’s important to have suitable navigation and watch out for tree wells.
You can take the marked Nordic trail up the west side, and ski down any side from the summit. Many people prefer the eastern face. You can also ski southwest towards the snowmobile trail and follow that back to the sno-park.
Vista Butte Sno Park Trail Map
Parking and Facilities at Vista Butte Sno Park
- Parking: Parking is limited. There isn’t a real parking lot, but rather some space on the side of the road. Although this is one of the less popular snow parks, the limited spots can fill up. If that is the case, here is a backup plan: park at Kapka Sno Park and take the tunnel under the highway to tie into Vista Butte trails, or check out other snow parks near Bend.
- Restrooms: There are no restrooms.
Trail Maintenance and Volunteer Support
Maintaining the park’s trails is a collaborative effort:
- Volunteer Contributions: Central Oregon Nordic Club, a local organization focused on maintaining sno-parks and nordic trails, maintains the trails at Vista Butte Sno Park. Consider donating on their website.
Renting Winter Equipment
Where to Rent Cross-country Skis and Snowshoes 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.
How to Buy a Sno Park Permit
You must have a parking permit to park at Vista Butte Sno Park between November 1st and April 30th. You can buy the permit for three different intervals. Prices are as of October 2023t; retailers may charge an additional fee.
- 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
Weather Forecasts and Other Resources
Use the table below to see the most up-to-date NOAA weather forecast for the corresponding sno-park. You can also find some road cameras and road conditions on TripCheck.
Up-to-date weather forecast for Vista Butte Sno Park: NOAA weather forecast
Other Places to Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski Near Bend
Whether you’re skiing or snowshoeing, these sno-parks are sure to keep you busy for a while! However, there are other options for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing near Bend.
Don’t pass up other snow parks near Bend. There are 11 sno-parks within 35 miles of Bend and most have cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Learn more in our full guide to sno-parks near Bend.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort has an expansive network of nordic trails that range in difficulty. They also have a variety of snowshoe trails. These trails are maintained to the highest quality, and require a nordic ski pass to use. You can also rent equipment at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center.
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.
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
In conclusion, Vista Butte Sno Park in Central Oregon offers an ideal winter playground for intermediate Nordic skiers and backcountry skiers or snowborders.
We hope this guide helps you plan your visit to Vista Butte Sno Park, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable winter adventure. Learn more about Vista Butte Sno Park on the USFS webpage.
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.
