Laurel Brauns

Bend is home to arguably some of the best trail runs in the world as well as the best trail runners. While the running scene in Central Oregon might often be overshadowed by its flashier and faster cousin – cycling – Bend is known nationally as a great place to train, compete or plan a vacation around exploring the trails.
Lucky for us locals, many of Bend's trails can be accessed through other trails maintained by the Bend Parks District. In many cases, we can avoid getting in the car altogether. Within a few miles of downtown, there is everything from loops that feel like mountain climbs to gentle routes along the Deschutes River that have almost no elevation gain.
One of my favorite things about running on trails is that you can see a lot of scenery in a short time, especially if you can work your way up to some longer routes. Trail running is also a lot better for your body because dirt is more forgiving than pavement, and you get to breathe fresh mountain air instead of car exhaust.

I got a late start on my sunset ski out to Elk Lake this weekend and didn't leave the parking lot from Dutchman until 6 p.m. My pack was heavy and kept throwing me off balance, and once the wind kicked back up and clouds closed in, I considered turning around more than once.
I've done this 11-mile ski on a winter evening quite a few times now, but solo on only one other occasion. Once I got warmed up and accustomed to the extra weight, I was content to be out there all by myself as the sun quickly set, creating interesting light play between the clouds, mountains and lava flows.
Only one group passed me while I was out there; two snowmobilers also headed out to the lake, but other than that I was totally alone.

Endorphins, sunshine and inspiring views — always a sure recipe for lifting me out of the winter blahs. I've always been addicted to the rush of fresh oxygen and the healthy buzz I get from working up a sweat in the outdoors. It admittedly keeps me sane and helps me work through things, stimulates creative ideas and releases the stress of the week or the day.
This Sunday, I had plans to explore the trails off Dutchman Flats with a mountain-biking buddy of mine, Keith Young. Before we left town for the trip that morning, I was having a case of the March blues. There was a sinking feeling of unease and lack of motivation pumping through my veins, a mental devil on my shoulder trying to talk me into sitting on the couch staring out the window all day.

Night Skiing
Not all of us have the luxury of flexible jobs that allow us to ditch the desk for an afternoon ski. But, because our sno-parks are so close to town, getting out on the trails at night has developed into quite the phenomenon in Central Oregon. On any given evening, you're likely to run into at least a few other skiers, if not a whole group, like the gang of WebSkis skaters that usually goes up on Tuesday nights.
Over the last few months, I've had the chance to get out there with a bunch of friends at night to bask in the light of the full moon or celebrate a few birthday parties. We've often ended up at the Nordeen Shelter, which is about two miles from Swampy Sno-Park. Thanks to volunteers, most shelters have a well-stocked supply of firewood that skiers are welcome to burn for warmth. If it's your first time organizing a group-hut excursion, try picking a destination that isn't too far out – in case you lose energy or have a few too many rounds by the fire. The Meissner Shelter is also a safe bet and offers views both to the north and south.

Travel to the lost world of Paulina Lake Lodge, just 45 minutes from Bend and you will feel transported to a wintry haven, far from the traffic lights and noise that can at times feel claustrophobic to so many of us who made the move to Bend for a life of serenity.
I embarked on the journey out to Paulina Lake with two rafting buddies, Sandy Arch and Tom Clawson, whom I met on a trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. These guys are a work hard/play hard kind of couple that I knew would make this short little jaunt extreme in everyway.

Just because they may be your neighbors, Olympians in bright-colored lycra racing around on the snow are an intimidating bunch. The skate ski crowd is almost neck and neck with the road bikers for having the most homogenous matching outfits and questionable-sponsorship wear. So, it's no wonder that here in Central Oregon especially, Nordic racing has a larger-than-life aurora surrounding it that may be off-putting to the “citizen skiers” who are considering getting out there just for the fun of it.

This weekend I learned how to find and dig someone out of an avalanche while backcountry skiing. This is something I hope to never, ever have to do in real life.

It is easy to get stuck in ruts, even when it comes to outdoor adventure. With so many opportunities for both groomed and backcountry skiing so close to Bend, it can sometimes be hard to justify the gas and time it takes to head out of town and explore some new areas. But for the skier who is out on the trails more than a few times a week, changing up the scenery is definitely worth the effort.