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Things to Do in Bend in Winter: Outdoors, Indoors & Après
Crisp mornings, bluebird afternoons, and alpenglow over the Cascades, winter in Bend, Oregon is built for play. Whether you’re chasing powder at Mt. Bachelor, seeking cozy Bend Oregon winter activities downtown, or planning family-friendly après, this guide covers the best things to do in Bend in winter, from outdoors, indoors, and everything in between.
Planning holiday-specific fun? See our seasonal roundups: Thanksgiving in Bend, Oregon and Christmas in Bend, Oregon: 2025 Holiday Happenings Guide.
Outdoors: Snow & Sunshine
1) Skiing & Snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor
One of the largest ski areas in the PNW sits just 22 miles from town. You’ll find varied terrain, lessons for all levels, multiple lodges, and long groomers that make Bend winter days feel effortless.
2) Nordic Skiing & Snowshoeing
Prefer quiet trails? Head to Virginia Meissner Sno-Park (classic & skate), Wanoga (dog-friendly sections), or book a guided snowshoe with local outfitters for starlight tours and bonfire cocoa. It’s peak fun in the winter with minimal gear fuss.
3) Tubing & Sledding
Lift-served tubing parks near Bend (and at nearby resorts) deliver big laughs with zero hiking. Free sledding hills around local sno-parks are great for DIY family fun, pack a thermos and a sturdy sled.
4) Fat Biking on Snow
With wide tires and surprising traction, fat biking brings summer stoke to winter trails. Guided rides include bikes, mitts, and routes tailored to the day’s conditions, perfect for trying something new.
Indoors: Warm Up, Slow Down, Geek Out
1) High Desert Museum
Part natural history, part living culture, and part wildlife encounters, the High Desert Museum is a perfect cold-day anchor. Rotating exhibits & daily talks makes it an easy win for all ages.
2) Axe Throwing, Bowling & Escape Rooms
Looking for active things to do in winter without the cold? Downtown axe throwing venues, retro-cool bowling alleys, and themed escape rooms hit the sweet spot for groups and teens.
3) Galleries, Tower Theatre & Local Makers
When the snow starts to fall and the air carries that clean, high-desert stillness, Bend’s creative side shines even brighter. Downtown and the Old Mill District are both filled with opportunities to step inside, warm up, and explore local art and culture.
Start with the Tower Theatre, Bend’s beloved performing arts venue in the heart of downtown. Inside, you’ll find a full lineup of concerts, comedy shows, film screenings, and community performances throughout the season.
If you prefer a slower-paced day, spend the afternoon exploring Bend’s galleries. The Mockingbird Gallery offers an elegant collection of Western-inspired paintings and sculpture, while Peterson/Roth Gallery focuses on bold, contemporary pieces from regional and national artists.
4) Spa, Yoga & Wellness
Between snow days and evenings out, Bend offers plenty of ways to recharge.
Start with Anjou Spa, a local favorite known for its eco-conscious approach and cozy, calming atmosphere. Massages, facials, and steam rooms make it an ideal stop after a day on the mountain.
Spa W also delivers expert treatments and a more modern vibe, with a focus on deep-tissue recovery and skin hydration, perfect for the high-desert air.
For a more active kind of reset, Namaspa Yoga Community hosts heated and non-heated classes across its downtown and west Bend studios.
Each provides a welcome pause between adventures, a reminder that winter in Bend is as much about restoration as it is about activity.
Après: Brews, Bites & Nightcaps
1) Bend Ale Trail (Winter Edition)
In a town where craft beer is practically a way of life, the Bend Ale Trail is the ultimate après-ski (or après-anything) experience. Launched in 2010 as the first beer trail in the West, it’s grown to include more than 30 breweries and tasting rooms across seven distinct territories stretching from Bend to Sisters, Redmond, and Prineville.
The concept is simple: pick up a free collectible passport from the Bend Visitor Center or use the web-based Ale Trail app to check in digitally as you explore. Each stop earns you stamps or digital badges, and when you complete a territory, you can claim a prize.
For more information, check out the official Bend Ale Trail website.
2) Cocktails & Cocoa
Downtown lounges and speakeasy-style spots pour fireside cocktails; cafés craft serious hot chocolate and mochas that warm you from the lift up.
Start with Dogwood at the Pine Shed, a downtown favorite tucked inside a rustic cabin strung with twinkle lights. Their seasonal menu features creative twists like smoked maple old fashioneds and spiced hot buttered rum, exactly the kind of fireside indulgence Bend does best.
For something livelier, Stihl Whiskey Bar offers one of the largest whiskey selections in Oregon alongside winter-friendly classics like Manhattans and Irish coffee. And if you’re in the Old Mill District, Rancher Butcher Chef combines craft cocktails with a polished steakhouse setting overlooking the river
3) Dinner Downtown & Along the River
Winter dining in Bend feels especially cozy, a mix of firelight, river views, and hearty Northwest flavors that make every meal feel like a celebration after the cold. Whether you’re looking for a quiet evening out, a lively après-ski dinner, or a long, lingering meal paired with Oregon wine, the city’s dining scene shines brightest when the snow starts to fall.
Just minutes from downtown, The Row at Tetherow offers one of Bend’s most inviting winter dining experiences. Warm, welcoming, and distinctly local, The Row blends the feel of a neighborhood pub with the quality of a chef-driven restaurant. Guests can settle in by the fire for elevated comfort food, from creative burgers and seasonal specials to local brews and craft cocktails, all set against panoramic views of the snow-dusted Cascades. It’s a favorite stop for golfers, locals, and visitors alike, and a perfect way to wind down after a day exploring Bend’s trails or slopes.
Downtown, Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails remains a long-time favorite for its Southern-inspired fare and relaxed sophistication, while Bos Taurus and Brickhouse specialize in prime cuts and polished service, ideal for a winter date night. For something more intimate, Ariana Restaurant serves refined Northwest cuisine in a charming craftsman home, complete with warm lighting and a rotating seasonal menu.
Stay in Bend, OR This Winter…
From powder days on Mt. Bachelor to quiet mornings downtown and evenings spent fireside with a local pint, winter in Bend, Oregon offers endless ways to explore, unwind, and connect. Whether you’re chasing fresh snow, discovering local art, or savoring a meal at The Row, every moment captures the spirit of the season, adventurous, welcoming, and wonderfully unhurried.
For a stay that pairs mountain access with elevated comfort, make Tetherow your home base this winter. With luxurious lodge rooms, spacious vacation homes, and sweeping Cascade views, it’s the perfect place to warm up, wind down, and experience the very best of Bend.