Haleigh HendricksonSkiing in Bend is a must when visiting Central Oregon.
In the high Oregon desert, the views can span for miles across the central Cascade Mountain Range. We’ve ridden endless chairs at Mount Bachelor, and the vastness of the mountains still takes our breath away.
Chairlift rides provide views of jagged, snow-capped peaks everywhere you look. With the town of Bend sitting nearly 3,600 feet, most winter seasons bring cold dry powder. Dream-like conditions are common when skiing in Bend.
The ski season in Central Oregon can span between November and May. You’ll have plenty of chances for pow days, après ski breaks in the parking lot, and end-of-day brews at top-notch breweries.
In this guide, I outline three epic places for skiing near Bend, Oregon, as well as the best gear rental spots, and fun places to apres ski.
Table of Contents
Everything You Need to Know About Skiing in or Near Bend, Oregon
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
Mt. Bachelor is arguably the best ski resort in the State of Oregon and is conveniently located just minutes outside the town of Bend.
For the 2021/2022 season, Mt. Bachelor didn’t seize operations until May 29th. Then, for the 2022/2023 season, the mountain opened its door on November 30th — meaning, it’s common for Mt. Bachelor to stay open for six months out of the year.
Mt. Bachelor’s long ski season is made possible by the cold storms coming in from the Pacific Ocean. On average, Mt. Bachelor gets a total of 382 inches of snowfall, with snow falling on 70 days of the season.
With snow falling only 70 days out of the ski season, getting a coined bluebird day while skiing in Bend is likely. To entice you even more, Mt. Bachelor is the sixth-largest ski resort in North America. The resort boasts 101 runs over 4,323 acres, with 3,365 feet of vertical drop between the summit and the base.
If skiing in Bend, Oregon is on your bucket list, make Mt. Bachelor your first stop.
Getting to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
From Bend
Downtown Bend is only 30 minutes from Mt. Bachelor.
The drive is simple, as you weave through a series of roundabouts and onto the Cascade Lakes Highway. Expect slower commutes to the mountain on weekends. Operations begin at 9:00 a.m. but to avoid traffic consider heading to the mountain as early as 7:00 a.m.
From Sisters
Downtown Sisters is an hour from Mt. Bachelor.
The drive will take you on Highway 20 to Highway 97, and then up Cascade Lakes Highway after a quick weave through downtown Bend.
While the drive to Mt. Bachelor is twice as long from Sisters as it is from Bend, the drive is absolutely stunning. On a clear day, you have endless views of the entire Cascade Mountain Range.
If one hour seems too long, Sisters is only 25 minutes to Hoodoo Ski Resort — another awesome option for skiing near Bend.
From Sunriver
Sunriver offers a completely different driving route to Mt. Bachelor as the resort community sits south of Bend on Highway 97.
The 30-minute drive takes you up to the mountain along Highway 45. Driving in from Sunriver can eliminate the possibility of backups on Cascade Lakes Highway with the flow of most visitors coming from the Bend area.
Mt. Bachelor Lodges and Lots
There are three lodges at Mt. Bachelor:
- West Village Lodge
- Sunrise Lodge
- Pine Marten Lodge
West Village Lodge
West Village Lodge is the ski resort’s main lodge.
The lodge is situated on the far western side of Mt. Bachelor Resort and offers the most amenities and largest parking area for visitors.
From the parking lot, most skiers and riders will take the Pine Marten Lift or Red Chair to access a majority of the chairs and runs at Mt. Bachelor Resort.
The West Village Lodge opens at 8:00 am, one hour prior to the first chair. The lodge offers Clearing Rock Bar with both indoor and outdoor seating, a large beer selection, and tasty bar food.
Whereas Cocoa’s Cafe and Corner Bar is perfect for those looking for a quick refuel before heading back out on the slopes – they serve sandwiches, soups, and pizza among other options.
Sunrise Lodge
Sunrise Lodge offers a smaller parking area and often fills up much faster than the West Village parking lot.
The lodge puts you at the base of Sunrise Chair and provides more access to the beginner series of chairs offered at Mt. Bachelor Resort. Sunrise Lodge offers Sun Bar, a 21 and over bar for your après needs, and the Sunrise Grill to fuel your mountain adventures.
Pine Martine Lodge
Pine Marten Lodge is a must while skiing in Bend.
The lodge is situated mid-mountain and on a clear day offers incredible views of the Sisters Mountains, Broken Top Mountain, Tumalo Mountain, and more.
Pinnacles Cafe offers hot beverages and espresso drinks if you’re in need of a warm-up or caffeine boost. Both Sparks Cafe and Scapolos Bistro offer a variety of food options as well as beers and wine.
If you’re in need of a break, I recommend stopping at Pine Marten for a beer and a view.
Mt. Bachelor Ticket and Pass Prices
Single-Day Lift Ticket
Buying your lift tickets for Mt. Bachelor online will always save $25 versus purchasing at the counter.
The pricing for a day lift ticket includes access to all chairs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The pricing for Mt. Bachelor lift tickets depends on how long you plan to ski, and when. Lift tickets can range from $94 – $200+.
The prices can be steep, so make sure you check out deals ahead of time when planning your trip to ski in Bend.
Ikon Pass
Mt. Bachelor is now under the Ikon Pass. If you live or ski in an Ikon-owned area, it may be worth purchasing an Ikon Pass. Ikon pass holders get five days of access to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort.
Four Day Pass
Get access to Mt. Bachelor any time of the year, with no restrictions for $499. That breaks down to $125 a ticket. A safe bet that they will be cheaper than one day of prices.
Ride and 5 Pass
For $449, the Ride and 5 grants pass holders five days of lessons at Mt. Bachelor Resort, including rental gear.
This is easily one of the best deals at Mt. Bachelor and is perfect for those looking to learn while enjoying all the mountain has to offer.
Learning Progression Ticket
If you want to skip the lesson, but only want to explore the easier areas of the mountain and work on your core skills, consider purchasing a Learning Progression Ticket.
This ticket offers access to Little Pine Chair (near West ViIllage Lodge) and Alpenglow Chair (near Sunrise Lodge) for $49.
Make sure to buy your pass online because it is $74 at the window.
Some zones, such as Early Riser, Lava Tube, First Rays, and the Woodward Start Park are free for beginners!
Kids Ski Free Ticket
You read that right! Kids 6-12 years old ski free with any adult who purchases a “Kids Ski Free” 3-of-3-day Adult Lift Ticket.
Make sure to purchase your ticket at least 7 days in advance to receive this awesome deal.
Spring Pass
Did you miss out on buying a season pass? Well consider a spring pass. The pass is good for all of April and May, until the mountain shuts down for summer operations. For $319, the pass pays for itself in 4 visits to Mt. Bachelor.
For multi-day passes and deals, purchases need to be made in the earlier parts of the season. Specials deals include Buddy Passes and Four Pack Tickets.
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort Lodging
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort doesn’t offer any lodging options at the resort.
If you are looking for places to stay near the mountain, your best options will be in the Bend or Sunriver area.
However, if you have an RV you can reserve a spot in the resort lot with a powered hook-up. Spots are $65/night Sunday-Thursday, and $75 a night Friday through Saturday.
If you just want to sleep in your van, car, or camper without an electric hookup, it is $45 a night to park Sunday-Thursday and $55 Friday-Saturday.
Catching the alpine glow over the mountain, while sitting on the first chair is an experience hard to beat.
Hoodoo Ski Resort
Steeper, Deeper, Cheaper is the motto at Hoodoo Ski Resort. Hoodoo sits between Bend, Oregon, and the Willamette Valley on Santiam Pass and is another great option for skiing near Bend.
Hoodoo is touted as Oregon’s original ski area having been founded in 1938. The resort boasts 800 acres of terrain, five chairlifts, and 34 runs.
Unlike Mt. Bachelor, Hoodoo offers all-day skiing and riding. The mountain opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m. Night skiing at the resort includes fully lit runs off of two chairlifts.
While Hoodoo isn’t as big or well-rounded of a mountain as Mt. Bachelor, it’s more affordable, family-owned, and offers night skiing with a fraction of the crowds.
Getting to Hoodoo Ski Resort
Hoodoo Ski Resort is 22 miles west of Sisters, 44 miles west of Bend, 85 miles east of Eugene, and 130 miles Southeast of Portland.
If you plan to spend multiple days at Hoodoo Ski Resort, it is definitely worth looking for a place to stay in the beautiful town of Sisters, Oregon.
Sisters is a quintessential mountain town: quaint, walkable, filled with locally-owned shops and eateries and surrounded by peaks.
Hoodoo Prices
Something unique about Hoodoo Ski Resort is the daily ticket specials.
On Thursdays, Hoodoo offers Thrifty Thursday: any ticket for all-day access is only $29 until March 16th. You read that right, $29. You absolutely cannot beat that price when skiing near Bend.
On Wednesdays, current military members and veterans receive a buy-one-get-one discount on all lift tickets. That means, two people can all day for only $69. Military Wednesday begins on January 4th and requires a valid ID.
Make sure to double-check black-out dates to ensure you can maximize your savings on the mountain.
Hoodoo Ski Resort also offers a variety of lessons for kids to adults and night ski-specific options.
Check out the Anycard, which offers five full days of skiing or riding for $329 — with no blackout dates. Anycards must be purchased in advance, either online or from Berg’s Ski Shop in Eugene or Peak Sports in Corvallis.
Most importantly, kids 7 and under can always ski-free at Hoodoo Ski Resort. Just head to the ticket window and request a free lift ticket.
Hoodoo Night Ski Options
Something that Hoodoo Ski Resort can offer that Mt. Bachelor doesn’t is night skiing.
Your money will go a lot further in terms of hours spent skiing at Hoodoo with the ability to ski or ride from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Night skiing includes fully lit runs off of two chairlifts.
Hoodoo Ski Resort Lodging
Hoodoo Ski Resort, like Mt. Bachelor Resort, offers RV parking options so you can ski right out of and into your rig.
Rates mirror those of Mt. Bachelor with $65 for hook-up sites and $45 for a non-hookup. You can also book special weekends in advance for set prices.
Willamette Pass Resort
Willamette Pass Resort is the third and last option for skiing near Bend, Oregon. The mountain opened in 1941 and offers 555 acres of terrain over 29 trails.
The ski area is serviced by four chairs and one express “magic carpet”, which is touted as the fastest lift in the state.
Willamette Pass averages 430 inches of snowfall annually which tops Mt. Bachelor’s average. Willamette Pass ski area is one of the smallest ski resorts in the state, second only to Mt. Ashland in Southern Oregon.
The ski area offers beautiful views of nearby Odell Lake. Willamette Pass even has a backside with a mixture of black and blue runs and good protection from sunlight — perfect conditions for cold pow turns.
Getting to Willamette Pass Resort
Willamette Pass Resort is located off Highway 58, 70 miles from Bend and Eugene, and 60 miles from Sunriver.
The mountain is open Wednesday through Sunday of every week and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Willamette Pricing
Willamette Pass Resort recently joined the Power Pass season pass.
The Power Pass gives holders unlimited access to six resorts:
- Willamette Pass Resort
- Hesperus Ski Area (Durango, CO)
- Sipapu Ski Resort (Vadito, NM)
- Pajarito Mountain Ski Area (Los Alamos, NM)
- Brian Head Resort (Brian Head, UT)
- Nordic Valley Ski Resort (Eden, UT)
The Power Pass offers many other benefits at a price of $999 for ages 37-64 and $799 for ages 30-36. The younger you are the cheaper the pass.
Use the Power Pass to encourage yourself to get beautiful days in at Willamette Pass and travel to some of the best states for skiing while you’re at it.
Regular lift tickets vary by time of year and day of the week at Willamette. Notably, most mid-week days are only $19. Beginning in late March, all ticket prices drop to just $19 per day.
If you are looking for the cheapest option for Skiing near Bend, Willamette Pass Resort is the place to be.
Willamette Pass Resort Lodging
Willamette offers the best deal for RV’ers looking to ski near Bend, Oregon, at just $20/night.
You can hook up your RV to electric for nearly $50 cheaper than Hoodoo or Mt. Bachelor. If you can go without electricity, the price is even lower at just $10/night.
RV parking and hook-ups are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Head to the lodge to purchase your overnight pass.
Gear Rentals for Skiing in Bend
If you don’t have your own gear to use while skiing in Bend, renting is a great and available option.
Each of the ski resorts outlined above offers rentals for the day or season, with differing levels from beginner to expert demos.
If you want to be able to pick something up before arriving at the mountain or want a rental that you can use for multiple days on multiple ski hills then check out these local ski shops in Bend and Sisters.
Ski Rentals in Bend, Oregon
Powder House
Powder House in Bend offers a classic ski package for $42/day and $35 for any additional day after that.
They also provide premium rental packages of Blizzard or Volkl skis. But, if you really want to try something different while skiing in Bend, give a demo package a try.
Demo ski packages are $62/day and $55 for each additional day.
Skjersaas
Skjersaas (pronounced sheer-shaws) is our shop of choice.
A classic package including all the gear you need to send it while skiing in Bend runs $45/day. Multiple-day rentals cost $40/day and season rentals cost $260.
If you are looking to test out some demo skis while skiing in or near Bend, rates are $70/day or $65 for a multi-day rental.
Did I mention they have a bar inside the ski shop?
Mountain Supply
Mountain Supply rents touring and split board set-ups for those looking to venture outside of the boundaries of the resorts.
A full-day package, including beacon, probe, shovel, skis/board, and boots costs $70/day or you can go with a three-day rental for $180.
Ski Rentals in Sisters, Oregon
Hillside Ski and Sport
Hoodoo Ski Resort runs Hillside Ski and Sport. Therefore, pricing at the shop or at the mountain is the same. Hillside and Hoodoo offer day or season-long rentals to fit whatever amount of skiing you are hoping to get in. Daily rentals are $39 or $50 for a demo. If you are looking to rent for the entire season it is $299 for a standard rental package or $479 for a demo package.
One last thing to consider when coming to ski in Bend is that Oregon is tax-free.
If you find a rental that you loved using while skiing in Bend, it may be the place to finally pull the trigger and get your dream setup.
Our Après Ski Picks for Skiing in Bend
Après ski is a big deal in Bend.
Après ski is the act of post-mountain day drinks and food. If you want to avoid the hefty bar prices at the mountain, consider hitting up one of the many great places to après in Bend.
10 Barrell
Bend’s west-side 10 Barrell is the spot. The brewery’s motto is Drink Beer Outside, enough said.
We love stopping in at 10 Barrell after a day of skiing in Bend for the vibes, the beer, and the food. With aptly named beers, Pray for Pow, All Ways Down, and Cloud Mentality, it’s the perfect place to après.
P.S. — order the Steak and gorgonzola fries.
The Lot
The Lot in Bend is a perfect place to stop for a beer and a snack after a long day skiing in Bend.
This local spot offers several beers on tap, wine, gluten-free, and NA options. They have five food truck carts with options ranging from poke bowls to fried chicken. The seating is open and warm under the heating units, or you can spend more time outside around the fire pit.
The Podski
I heard a rumor that The Podski sells more Rainier Beer than any other establishment in the United States. I don’t doubt it. If that doesn’t speak to every après skier, I don’t know what will.
Podski serves up big pours and live music. Eight food carts surround the lot with plenty of options to curb your post-mountain hunger.
Crosscut – Warming Hut No. 5
Crosscut offers more beer than any food truck pod in all of Bend.
At 36 taps, you are bound to find a beer that will fit your palette. If beer isn’t your drink of choice they also serve up cocktails and wine options as well. Three food truck carts complete the space, with some of the best pizzas in all of Bend: Abe Capanna’s Detroit Pan Pizzas.
We love Crosscut for its cozy cabin vibes and fireplace.
The Barn
If you are coming down from Hoodoo Ski Resort, check out The Barn in Sisters.
The Barn is a beautiful building with stained glass windows and a wood-fired stove. Outside you will find food truck options from vegan to Texas-style BBQ.
They also have a stage for live music when the temperatures begin to rise later in the season. As Sisters residents, The Barn is our go-to.
Bigfoot Tavern
Crescent is the nearest town to Willamette Pass on your way back to Bend. Stop in at the Bigfoot Tavern for big eats, cold beers, and the classic dive bar vibes that you may be craving after a long day at the mountain.
Bigfoot Tavern also smokes all their own meats – the smoked tri-tip sandwich is a must.
Being Oregonians, we may be biased, but skiing in Bend is about as good as it gets. With several mountain options, beautiful views, and abundant apres ski options, you can’t beat it. If you have any more questions about skiing in or near Bend, Oregon, leave me a comment in the section below.
Happy adventuring!
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