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BACK TO BASICS AT MT. BACHELOR
VISIT SHOP CENTRAL OREGON OREGON LOCAL PRODUCTS TO GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
VISIT CENTRAL OREGON
IN THIS ISSUE
SHOP OREGON Support local producers through Built Oregon’s new online marketplace.
ADVENTURE CALLS Watch the latest episode of the series spotlighting the region’s beauty and culture.
REGIONAL RESORTS
Get cozy with the family at one of Central Oregon’s resorts.
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Discover four new ways to have fun in the snow.
BACK TO BASICS
Learn about Mt. Bachelor’s plan for the 20-21 season.
WINTER SHOTS See how photographers capture the region during winter.
HISTORY & HERITAGE Learn the history of downtown Bend’s iconic Tower Theatre.
Adventures await in Central Oregon - but due to COVID-19, we are encouraging visitors to stay safe and hold off on visiting until the time is right and it is safe to do so. While we look forward to the day we can welcome you back to our beautiful region, here is some content that will remind you of every reason why you love Central Oregon. The Team at Visit Central Oregon
EAT, DRINK, GET COZY Warm meals and hot drinks to enjoy during winter weather.
Produced by Visit Central Oregon Email us: trailhead@visitcentraloregon.com
Shop
OREGON This holiday season, support Central Oregon’s small businesses by shopping local. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in our region, and the products of these shops can make for great gifts. Get shopping at each business's site or find all these products at builtoregon.shop.
IG: @leemodesigns LEEMO DESIGNS ______________________________ A passion for origami kickstarted Bend's Leela Morimoto's interest in product design. Her shop offers creative ornaments, magnets, jewelry and organizational products. Acrylic Oridama Earrings are inspired by origami and laser cut from bamboo. leemodesigns.com
IG: @ josiesbestgf
IG: @bendsauce BEND SAUCE _____________________________________ Spice things up this year with a naturally delicious hot sauce, made in small batches in Bend. With an ingredient list short enough to fit on the small bottle, this sauce is gluten-free, vegan and all natural. The hot sauce blend was created with ingredients from Newport Market and first debuted at Bend's WinterFest in 2020. bendsauce.com
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JOSIE'S BEST GLUTEN FREE MIXES _______ A gluten intolerance inspired the owner of Josie's Best to create her first mixes, which she started selling at farmers markets in Central Oregon, before expanding into retail stores around the region and the country. Try the gluten-free mixes for pancakes, waffles, crepes, muffins and more from this Sisters-based business. josiesbestgf.com
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IG: @inspiredleaftea
IG: @thenorthweststore
INSPIRED LEAF TEAS LLC ______________________ This small, family-owned business has been creating artisan teas in Bend for eleven years. A personal favorite of the family is the Coconut Truffle Black Tea, which blends coconut, black tea, truffles and apple. inspiredleaf.com
IG: @gather.nuts
THE NORTHWEST STORE ______________________ Bend's The Northwest Store offers products and clothing inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Find images of sasquach, Smokey the Bear and items with the letters PNW. The company is run by a team of graphic designers who live in Bend. thenorthweststore.com
IG: @chalkedcreative
GATHER NUTS _____________________ Certified nutrition consultant Shanna Koenig Camuso of Bend is the founder of Gather Nuts, which offers nutritious nuts and seeds. Some are plain, like simple almonds, while many come in flavors like maple cinnamon brazil nuts, turmeric curry cashews or garlic dill sunflower seeds. Each batch of nuts is soaked for 24 hours, then slow roasted at a low temperature. gathernuts.com
CHALKED CREATIVE ________________________________________ This Bend company specializes in custom chalk art, handlettered designs and—perfect for the holidays—hand painted pet ornaments. The Central Oregon artist sells on Etsy, the Built Oregon marketplace and rents custom chalkboard signs in Oregon and northern California. Make your furry friend part of your holiday traditions with these custom ornaments, great for the dog lovers on your list. chalkedcreative.com
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Host, Chad Copeland, takes viewers on a virtual journey through Central Oregon sharing stories of art, food and adventure. Adventure Calls is a series full of entertaining challenges, cultural/historical education and fun with a common thread through the spirit of adventure. Visit adventurecalls.visitcentraloregon.com.
All Episodes Available Here
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OUTPLAY ALL DAY. UNLOCK ACCESS TO THE NW’S LARGEST PLAYGROUND — Come explore the sixth-largest ski resort in North America offering 4,323 acres of skiable terrain and the only 360° summit experience in the Northwest. Season passes and day tickets available now.
Visit MTBACHELOR.COM for more information.
CENTRAL OREGON STAYCATION This holiday season, take a carriage ride through the snow, relax by the firepit or indulge in delicious cuisine while taking in a mountain view. Here are four resorts worth experiencing in Central Oregon.
Pronghorn Resort
The resort plans to offer a Christmas Eve prix fixe dinner and a Christmas Day dinner on-site, with reservations. Diners will be seated outside Northeast of Bend, Pronghorn Resort boasts that around cozy fires and heaters. A Christmas togo dinner is also available to pre-order and pick they have perfected the art of living well. The up on Christmas. Executive Chef Kevin Linde resort offers short-term and long-term lodging, as works with local farmers and ranchers to hand well as world-class golf, food and spa amenities. craft meals reflecting the season and tastes of Central Oregon. For the holiday season, Pronghorn is offering discounted rates for short-term and long-term Pronghorn has a tradition of lighting up the rentals, allowing people to enjoy the resort for any resort each holiday season. Take a charming length of time. Take in the beautiful views of the walk along the bike paths or walking paths and Cascade Range, get in a workout at the fitness feel the holiday spirit. center, warm up in a hot tub or wind down at the spa—with all activities available by reservation to PRONGHORNRESORT.COM keep capacity low. T R A I L H E A D
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Sunriver Resort Sunriver Resort is known for holiday traditions that keep everyone in the family entertained. Annual holiday dinners are a hallmark of the season, with meals planned through New Years, so long as the latest local and state dining guidelines allow. For families preferring to enjoy a feast in the comfort of their own abode, the resort also offers holiday meals to-go. Guests can personalize a resort stay by booking “Winter Traditions” packages, offering things like sleigh rides and dining events. The Gingerbread Package comes with supplies to create a gingerbread masterpiece. The first 100 people to T R A I L H E A D
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make an Ornament Package reservation receive a hand-crafted cloisonné ornament by ornament maker Kitty Keller. The Sleigh and Stay package includes a festive ride around a golf course via horse-drawn carriage. Events and workshops are also on tap, including build-a-bear activities and pottery painting for kids and greenery workshops or wine tasting events for adults. The ongoing light show is open to the public, so head over to The Lodge, bask in the colorful lights that adorn the property, dance to holiday music, indulge in a hot toddy or hot cocoa from Twisted Tavern and enjoy the holiday season with your favorite people. Shows run three times a night through Jan. 3. DESTINATIONHOTELS.COM/SUNRIVER-RESORT
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Tetherow Tetherow Resort is a great base for all things outdoors in Bend. Close proximity to Mt. Bachelor provides incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities, while the Deschutes National Forest connects Tetherow to the Phil’s Trail network for mountain biking, hiking and with enough snow, snowshoeing and fat tire biking. Aside from the nearby natural attractions, Tetherow guests gain access to luxurious and cozy winter amenities in the resort, like saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and a heated outdoor pool at Tetherow Sport. When the snow starts to fall and things really cool down, you’ll be thankful for all of these options to warm up. T R A I L H E A D
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Guests can experience fine dining at Solomon’s, and more casual pub fare at The Row. Quick bite to-go meals are available for purchase, and mean you can spend more time doing what you love outside, and less time preparing meals. Tetherow lodges are ideal for couples, while the vacation homes come with two to five bedrooms and are perfect for a family. Tetherow typically holds holiday dinners for everyone to enjoy. As of early December, all restaurant dining at Tetherow is to-go, per the latest restaurant operating guidelines for COVID-19. TETHEROW.COM
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Black Butte Ranch Resting at the base of the Cascade Range just past the small town of Sisters, entering Black Butte Ranch can feel like entering a new world. Visitors are greeted with tall ponderosa pines and mountain views, not to mention world-class golfing, trails to explore and other amenities. The holiday season at Black Butte is packed with events for the whole family. The ranch plans to offer Christmas dinner at the Lodge Restaurant or the opportunity to reserve a catered Christmas dinner to enjoy at home. Or, the General Store offers holiday dinner boxes with all the fixings to prepare a holiday meal at home. Avoid cabin fever by trying out the Family Adventure Walks, taking place Fridays and Saturdays throughout the season, with reservations required at least 24 hours in advance. These are guided hiking/walking tours that allow you to explore the natural beauty of the ranch. Aside from the walks, explore the local trails on bike or foot, or reserve a spot on a festive carriage ride through the snow. To keep the little ones happy, Black Butte Ranch offers Kids Craft Kits, which are available for pick up. Black Butte Ranch is only 13 miles from the Hoodoo Ski Area, meaning you can use this resort as your skiing and snowboarding home base for the season. On the ranch, you can cross country ski and try out some snowshoeing on more than 18 miles of trails. BLACKBUTTERANCH.COM
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POWDER P
4S
Stay Safe: Keep informed about the latest COVID-19 protocols, and follow current restrictions.
Snowshoeing Central Oregon is a hiking mecca in the warmer seasons, so it only makes sense that we f ind ways to brave our favorite trails even when snow has piled over them. To get started, try renting snowshoes f rom a Central Oregon winter recreation shop, such as Powder House, Pine Mountain Sports or REI in Bend. Some essentials to bring include snowpants, warm boots, a light and a heavy jacket, snacks, water and basic emergency supplies.
Setting out into the wilderness can be a bit daunting, but snowshoeing tours are available to help explore this new hobby safely. Wanderlust Tours in Bend offers experienced guides to lead the way on your f irst snowy adventure, or f irst trip to a new destination. There are many marked and maintained trails off Century Drive and Cascade Lakes Highway, stemming f rom Bend. Virginia Meissner SnoPark is a favorite among locals, and features amenities like bathrooms and a warming hut to recharge and enjoy a warm beverage.
Cross-Country Skiing This fun, low-impact sport offers exercise, f resh air and another opportunity to enjoy Central Oregon’s snowy season. Pack up your skis or pick up rentals f rom Pine Mountain Sports or Sunnyside Sports in Bend or 4 Seasons Recreational Outf itters in Sunriver, and head for the hills. For groomed, structured trails, try the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center, Hoodoo Ski Area, Swampy Lakes Sno-Park or Virginia Meissner Sno-Park. At Virginia Meissner, f ind 40 kilometers of trails, with options for beginners and experienced skiers. Other options include the Peterson Ridge trail system just outside Sisters or the dog-f riendly Edison Butte Sno-Park between Sunriver and Bend.
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PURSUITS
SNOWY CENTRAL OREGON ADVENTURES
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Plan ahead: Call in advance to book your skate.
Ice Skating
While balance might be a bit tough at f irst, ice skating can be fun and relaxing once you get the hang of it. There are some great ice skating rinks around Central Oregon, including Seventh Mountain Resort and The Pavillion, both in Bend, or The Village at Sunriver. When arriving at any of these locations, you will be able to either bring your own skates or rent a pair for the day. Be sure to get a snug f it, to keep your ankles nice and secure. Then, get out on the ice and glide to your heart’s content. If you want to take a break and relax for a bit, grab a cup of cocoa to keep your hands warm. Pay attention to safety precautions, bring a mask and expect reduced capacity.
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Fat Tire Biking This winter activity might be the easiest for summer athletes to transition into. Any avid mountain biker will want to take advantage of Central Oregon’s vast array of fat-bike-f riendly trails, suitable for beginner to advanced skill levels. There are several companies who offer tours and rentals for those without a fat tire bike. Pine Mountain Sports, Hutch’s Bicycles and Cog Wild are a few options. Once you’re ready to go, be sure to check weather reports—the morning after f resh snowfall is an ideal time to ride. For some locations to get you started, try Wanoga Sno-Park, Dutchman Flat Sno-Park or the Phil’s Trail Network.
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BACK TO BASICS Mt. Bachelor Prepares for Winter The coming of winter is a breath of f resh air to many Oregonians, as cooler temperatures and f resh snowfall transform the natural landscape into a snowy paradise. A letter f rom Mt. Bachelor President and General Manager John McLeod echoes this sentiment, and points out that Central Oregon’s largest ski resort can act as an escape for many people who just want to spend the day doing something they love; skiing, snowboarding or sipping hot chocolate and watching the snow fall. Mt. Bachelor is adopting a “Back to Basics” plan for this upcoming season, with hopes that everyone will be able to enjoy their favorite mountain, safely and responsibly. McLeod describes this plan as one that maximizes the time people spend on the snow, and minimizes any indoor contact. To do so, all indoor areas open to the public will have a lower capacity than previous years, and all visitors are encouraged to use their own car as a place to gear up, warm up and refuel. Dining options will be limited while indoors, but Egan’s Outpost food cart and other food options will be stationed outside.
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Know Before You Go: Stay safe on your winter adventures by packing the proper gear, checking forecasts in advance and learning about avalanche safety before heading into side-country and backcountry areas.
OPENING DAY TERRAIN BOOST While Mt. Bachelor normally aims for a Thanksgiving opening with sometimes minimal lift operations, this year the resort kicked off operations in early December instead, with more terrain open to offer skiers plenty of room to spread out.
take every precaution possible to keep all guests and employees safe and healthy, the safety of the mountain really lies in the hands of individuals. Keeping people safe and keeping the mountain open for everyone to enjoy relies on everyone following the safety guidelines that Mt. Bachelor has provided.
The resort boasted a 39-inch base on opening day, with a snow-packed forecast into midDecember. Resort operators are aiming to open up as much terrain as possible in the coming weeks to allow for skiers and riders to have maximum space to spread out, explore and enjoy. The lift areas themselves have been modif ied with safety in mind. While long skis and snowboards create natural distance between people, there is still the possibility of contact. The new regulations enforce social distancing, and a line shape that helps minimize contact between groups.
BOOK A CAR RESERVATION To manage the number of visitors to the resort, Mt. Bachelor has implemented a new online car parking reservation system. This means that every individual vehicle must reserve a date to let the resort staff know you are coming. See mtbachelor.com/parking.
NEED A LESSON? While last-minute lessons with a busy ski school are on hold this winter, Gravity Sports Ski and Ride School will offer modif ied half-day, multi-week programs for kids, as well as pre-booked private lessons. However, there will be no beginner group lessons, or lessons for skiers and riders under 6, and childcare is also unavailable this winter. So if you’re looking for a lesson, plan ahead.
SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS Along with the other safety protocols, the resort staff will be working hard to clean and sterilize surfaces, keep hand sanitizer stations stocked and employees will undergo daily health screenings. Every decision made for this season in regards to public health was done so in collaboration with the National Ski Areas Association, Oregon Health Authority and Deschutes County Health Department. While Mt. Bachelor can
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LO C A L S H OTS
@shred4shane
As the weather turns cool and the snow falls, Central Oregon’s diverse landscape offers photographers and adventure-seekers new perspectives and fresh inspiration. Outside, snow blankets the hills. Indoors, our decor turns cozy and hot beverages and warm meals fill our tables. See where photographers aim their lens when the seasons change.
@morgan_swartz
#centraloregon #hikecentraloregon #getoutside #pnw #hikepnw #hikevibes #dechutes #dechutesnationalforest #bend #bendoregon #explorebend #threesisters #mountainsplease #hikingtherapy #thatoregonlife
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#earnyourturns #splitboarding #mtbachelor #backcountry #bluebird #bend #oregon #pnw #skiuphill #mountains
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@markstockampphotography
@anneytravels
@discover_your_forest
It’s Central Oregon Saturday.... and maybe you missed Oktoberfest because of, well, COVID. In Bend, I encourage you to celebrate late (and often!!) at a traditional Bavarian Grillhaus & Biergarten.
Easiest place to maintain a minimum social distance? #TheForest
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towertheatre.org
- History & Heritage -
Bend’s Living Room The Tower Theatre has been part of downtown Bend since 1940
The Tower Theatre occupies a proud spot in Bend’s vibrant downtown area. During a busy year, the theater is filled nearly every night with high-profile acts––it could be called Bend’s living room. But its lights nearly went dark for good. The Tower Theatre opened in 1940 in what The Bulletin calls a “late art deco offshoot known as streamlined moderne.” The little theater offered mostly movie screenings, though it also played host to community events. By the early 1990s, the building had fallen into disrepair. But the community wasn’t ready to give up on this downtown acoustical marvel. In 1997, the Tower Theatre Foundation started the slow process of raising money and securing grants to save the theater. The attempt to revive the theater brought together dozens of people from government, Central Oregon Community College, downtown businesses and concerned citizens who weren’t ready to give up on having a theater in the core of the growing city. The city bought the theater for $445,000 before restoration began, and the foundation agreed it would pay back the city (with no interest). In 2001, the foundation paid the city $145,000. Since then, it has paid $6,000 a year on the remainder. With 998 seats and a single screen, the original theater looked a lot different than it does today. The $3.76 million renovation started in late 2002. The Bulletin reported the work included making a steeper slope to the floor, a stage door, hydraulic orchestra pit and a concession stand. The high
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ceiling and box seats were added. The architect described it as a gut job. The project added about 3,000 square feet and cut the number of seats to 466. One thing remained the same––the iconic neon sign that shines bright through downtown. Today, the theater relies on donor support to continue its mission of providing top-level entertainment in the High Desert. To get tickets to a show, go to towertheatre.org.
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E AT , D R I N K , Get
Cozy
When the weather turns cool, nothing is quite as satisfying as warm, filling foods to snack on and hot drinks to sip on. Luckily, Central Oregon has plenty of options to help you feel cozy and satisfied. As of mid-December, restaurants are limited to take-out and outdoor dining only, meaning these warm menu items are best enjoyed outdoors or on-the-go. by nancy patterson
Jackson's Corner
845 NW Delaware Avenue, Bend 1500 NE Cushing Drive, Bend (east side) A chilly Central Oregon morning calls for a hearty serving of Jackson’s Corner’s cardamom and sea salt French toast, where the bread is baked in-house every day. Sip on a hot, grown-up Irish Creme latté from their barista bar and curl up beneath one of their outdoor heat lamps or inside of their spaced-out dining area.
Wandering Chef
130 SW 5th Street, Madras Comfort food is the specialty at Wandering Chef food cart in Madras. Warm up your bones with a hearty serving of their homemade bolognese, or feast on The Frenchman. This toasty sandwich is made using artisan bread and filled with warm ham, three cheese blend, and served with their house mustard and fondue cheese sauce.
Thailandia
Sisters Meat and Smokehouse 110 S Spruce St, Sisters
536 NW Arizona Ave, Bend Cozied up in The Podski food cart lot is Thailandia, a food cart making all of your favorite Thai dishes. Heat things up with their red curry made with coconut milk, curry paste and fresh veggies. Choose your spice level and pick from white or brown rice, pumpkin, bamboo or pineapple, plus your choice of protein.
That Guy's Bistro 404 Forest Ave, Redmond
When you’re craving comfort, reach for a bowl of bacon mac ‘n’ cheese from That Guy’s Bistro in Redmond. Located at General Duffy’s Waterhole, these guys (or, that guy) are serving up their signature mac ‘n’ cheese recipe along with smoky, crispy bacon. Grab a beverage on tap inside of the food cart lot’s taphouse and relax a bit.
Hot sandwich + hot dipping sauce = all of the cozy warm feels! The French Dip from Sisters Meat and Smokehouse features house-made smoked roast beef on a toasted French roll with smoked provolone cheese, a side of au jus and creamy horseradish on the side. You’ll find that it’s a Sisters, Oregon favorite.
The Row
61240 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend Tetherow’s casual dining hub, The Row, makes a classic Central Oregon favorite using a local spirit. The Hazelnut Coffee is made with Crater Lake hazelnut espresso vodka, Frangelico and coffee, and topped with whipped cream for good measure. Enjoy Tetherow’s expansive views and some crisp air while you cradle this cozy adult coffee.
Eat Drink Bend features cocktails and plates from local eateries. They scout restaurants, breweries, and wineries to introduce you to the best and unknown dishes and drinks while sharing stories from our locally-owned Central Oregon establishments.
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Photo High Desert Museum
Plan ahead: Contact individual businesses and check the latest local and state guidelines related to COVID-19 before venturing out.
OUR PICKS COFFEE
COHO COFFEE CO.
BEER
SPIDER CITY BREWING
WINE
VA PIANO VINEYARDS AND TASTING ROOM WINTER ACTIVITY
FAT BIKE RENTALS AT GOOD BIKE CO.
GIFTS
JU-BEE-LEE DESSERT
GOODY’S
DINNER
SUNRIVER VILLAGE BAR AND GRILL
SLEIGH RIDES AT BLACK BUTTE RANCH
ERICKSON AIRCRAFT MUSEUM |
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ARTS AND CULTURE
HIGH DESERT MUSEUM
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REGIONS MAP
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Maupin
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R IVE R CAN Y ON COUN TRY Warm Springs Reservation
Ochoco National Forest
Black Butte Ranch Lake Billy Chinook
S I S TERS C O UNTRY
Smith Rock State Park
B EN D
G R E ATE R R E D MOND Pronghorn Resort
McKenzie Pass
Sister Rodeo Dry Canyon
Tetherow Resort
Redmond Airport
High Desert Museum Deschutes National Forest
LaPine State Park
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Wickiup Reservoir
Sunriver Resort
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Newberry National Volcanic Monument
N E W B E R R Y COUN TR Y
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