Jeff P. This brown trout and smaller rainbow trout are just a few of the victims of our antiquated water management policies. Countless fish now lay dead on the banks of the Upper Deschutes, stranded after the Water Resources Department reverted to extremely low winter flow rates earlier this week. What’s perhaps even more depressing […]
James Williams
Posted inFood & Drink
Yes, We Can!
Four canned beers you (probably) haven’t tried yet, but should
Beer in a can ain’t what it used to be, namely: cheap, tinny-tasting, fizzy and yellow. These days, canned beer is craft beer—and vice versa. A year ago, not a single one of the area’s many breweries was canning. Now, Worthy, GoodLife and, as recently as this summer, 10 Barrel, all offer delicious, easy-to-carry canned […]
Posted inNews
It Doesn’t Have to be This Way
A look at the successes of other Central Oregon dam-removal efforts
Want to know what Mirror Pond could look like without a dam? Experts say: Think like a child. Or, in other words, use some imagination. Just don’t presume the banks along Mirror Pond will look as raw and muddy as they recently have, two weeks after a significant leak in the 103-year-old Newport Avenue Dam […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Snowrider’s Guide
Four ways to enjoy winter, as told by local athletes from four different disciplines
This winter season the Northwest is in line for an above-average snowfall, at least according to AccuWeather.com‘s “Expert Long-Range Forecaster” Paul Pastelok. That’s good news—if you believe in such things. As for us, well, we don’t trust a forecast that’s more than a couple days down the road, but we will take September’s record-breaking snows […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Sarah Max
Nordic Ski Goddess
Sarah Max, 38, is a writer, cyclocross racer and mother of two. She's also won the Pole Pedal Paddle an impressive three times and is arguably Bend's fastest female Nordic skier. Athlete: Sarah Max, Nordic skier How long have you been a Nordic skier? How'd you get started? I started Nordic skiing about 10 years […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
John Millslagle
The High Priest of Ski Patrol
John Millslagle has been a ski patroller longer than snowboarding has been an Olympic sport. Now 50 and starting his 20th season at Mt. Bachelor, he's showing no signs of slowing. Athlete: John Millslagle, Ski Patroller at Mt. Bachelor How long have you been a ski patroller? How'd you get started? I'm about to start […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Troy Walch
Backcountry badass
Troy Walch, a 42-year-old ski tech at Crow's Feet Commons, is the backcountry equivalent of a James Bond-meets-MacGyver mashup: smooth, prepared, and can fix anything. Athlete: Troy Walch, backcountry skier How long have you been a backcountry skier? How'd you get started? I’ve been hiking to ski lines for about 20 years now. I first moved […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Ben Ferguson
From snowboarding grom to Olympic hopeful
Ben Ferguson, 18, is on the U.S. Snowboarding Team and an Olympic hopeful. He's also a darn nice guy. Athlete: Ben Ferguson, pro snowboarder How long have you been snowboarding? When did you start competing as a pro? My dad strapped a snowboard on my feet when I was 6 years old. I've been competing […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Snowriding Suggestions
Where and how to get out there
Where to skate and classic ski: Meissner Nordic Community Ski Trails. With 40 kilometers of groomed ski trails, Meissner is a great option for beginners and experts alike. Go on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday and enjoy gliding over freshly groomed corduroy. Skiing is free but the near daily maintenance is not—make an annual […]
Posted inNews
By the Way, Mirror Pond is Full Again. For Now.
Aaaannnd, we’re back to a shallow pond. For now. This morning as I rolled across the walking bridge on my way to work I noted the wide, frozen, muddy shoals that framed the narrow, in-town stretch of the Deschutes River [area formerly known as Mirror Pond] as it flowed past Drake Park. (On Oct. 2 […]
