Things that make Bend

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I’m a true Washingtonian—I was born and raised in Bellevue, attended Washington State (Go Cougs!), and now I live in Seattle full time. I’ve never felt the urge to leave; with mountains and water at my fingertips, what more could I ask for?

This winter, I decided to shake things up and move down to Bend, OR for the season. With new mountains to ski—not to mention new breweries to crawl—it didn’t take long for it to become one of my favorite places to be.

Here’s why Bend, OR is a white-hot winter destination for anyone with a penchant for the outdoor lifestyle.

    1 – Mt. Bachelor. Obviously.

Expansive terrain for all skill levels
I’ve been skiing my whole life all over the West Coast, and Mt. Bachelor easily makes my shortlist of favorite mountains. Regardless of your skill level, Bachelor delivers. Whether you’re looking to rip easy blues and barbeque burgers in the parking lot or hit it hard off the backside bowls when they open summit, Bachelor has what you’re looking for. Plus, 360-degree skiing isn’t found just anywhere.

Views of Summit riding the Pine Marten chair.

Views of South Sister and Broken Top from Mt. Bachelor.

Doorstep to downhill in 30 minutes
My personal favorite? I’m on the lift 30 minutes after I step foot out my front door. Getting to the mountain doesn’t eat up my entire day, so I can jet up for a few morning laps or squeeze in an afternoon session when it’s too good to resist.

     2 – Good food, good beer, good vibes.

Local favorites like the 10 Barrel Pub
Bend, OR is synonymous with craft beer, and 10 Barrel is my go-to spot. The beer is always good (and cheap). Their whole Cheap Fun vibe hits home for me: $3 for a Pub Cerveza, their crisp Mexican lager on draft. The menu is stacked, and if you can’t decide just “Share the Fun”—$35 gets you a burger, chicken strips, tacos and a cup of mac. Need I say more? (Well maybe this. Full disclosure: 10 Barrel is one of our clients.)

10 Barrel Brewing Cheap Fun Burger.

Winter weather doesn’t stop the outdoor chaos

In Bend, the weather is just another reason to play outside. Sunny and 65 in February? Let’s surf the river. Four inches of snow? Throw on some spikes and go for a run—in shorts, of course. Living in Bend means you’re never short on outdoor hobbies—the real challenge is deciding which to do today.

     3 – Bonus: Bend isn’t just for winter

Bend is the kind of place where people come for the skiing and stay for the summers. The mountains become a playground for mountain biking and trail running not long after the snow melts. The Deschutes River fills up with floaters, and Hayden Homes Amphitheatre becomes one of the best summer concert venues in the PNW. Night after night, the lineup is stacked—and if you didn’t grab a ticket, no worries, just hop on a paddleboard and float behind the theater.

Views of Hayden Homes Amphitheatre from the Deschutes River.

But the real magic? Bend doesn’t feel like a tourist trap. You’ll leave feeling like a local—or you just might not leave at all.