- Enjoy 3000 continuous feet of skiing down the southeast ridge of Middle Sister.
- Hire a backcountry ski guide and explore one of Central Oregon’s volcanic peaks or beautiful wilderness areas.
- Ski down gentle slopes or steep descents on Ball Butte.
- The Cone on Mt. Bachelor’s east face offers 700 vertical feet of fun backcountry skiing.
Overview
Central Oregon’s unique climate offers experienced backcountry skiers an unparalleled experience, with plenty of sunshine and up to 500 inches of fluffy powder each year. Whether you prefer a winter afternoon exploring the nearby Deschutes National Forest, or several days of guided cat skiing on Mt. Bailey near Crater Lake, your backcountry skiing adventure will definitely be memorable.
Where to go Backcountry Skiing
- Mt. Bachelor – The east face of Mt. Bachelor has a route known as “The Cone”, which offers backcountry skiers a fun, 700-foot descent.
- Ball Butte – Accessible via the Dutchman Flats Snow Park just a mile from Mt. Bachelor, backcountry skiers have access to varied terrain including gentle slopes and steep descents.
- Three Sisters Wilderness Area – With three prominent Cascade peaks to descend and over 286,000 acres to explore, this is one of Central Oregon’s most popular backcountry ski areas. The southeast ridge of Middle Sister provides over 3000 continuous feet for avid skiers.
- Mt. Washington – Accessible via snowmobile, the west, north, and southeastern slopes of this volcanic peak attract many backcountry skiers.
- Mt. Jefferson Wilderness – With over 111,000 acres overlapping both the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests, this is another popular Central Oregon venue for backcountry skiing.
- Mt. Bailey - Experienced backcountry skiers can access over 6,000 acres of fresh powder, via guided cat skiing tours, on this 8,735-foot peak in the Umpqua National Forest.
Guided Tours & Rentals
If you’re considering a backcountry ski adventure near Bend, be sure to explore the various outfitters and guides listed on this webpage.
