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The Great Nordeen: Honoring Tradition and Embracing Adventure in Central Oregon

Cross-country skiers and fat bikers gear up for a beloved winter race through the scenic Deschutes National Forest at Mt. Bachelor
Avatar photo by Savannah Mendoza

Winter in Central Oregon offers no shortage of outdoor activities, from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to snowboarding and fat biking. Among these seasonal traditions, one event invites athletes to test their skills on the snow: The Great Nordeen Cross-Country Ski and Fat Bike Race, a cherished winter tradition that returns to bend this February. The […]

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Furry Fun at Sunriver Brewing’s K-9 Keg Pull

Dogs dash at the annual K-9 Keg Pull in Sunriver that combines fun, competition and giving back
Avatar photo by Savannah Mendoza

“And they’re off!” While this phrase is usually reserved for horse racing, at Sunriver Brewing Company’s K-9 Keg Pull, it signals an entirely different kind of race — dogs dashing down a snowy runway, pulling beer kegs behind them. Set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11am to 3pm at the Village at […]

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It’s Avian Influenza Season, Too

Think Wild sees an increase in wildlife hotline calls regarding possible bird flu cases
by Damian Fagan

Flu season is upon us and it’s not just restricted to humans. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as avian influenza or bird flu, is a spreadable virus that affects wild birds, poultry, livestock, pets and, in rare cases, humans. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the current strain of the […]

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Edison Sno-Park Closed for Winter

The Deschutes National Forest has closed the sno-park due to wildfires
by Damian Fagan

This past summer beginning in September, the Bachelor Complex fires, in particular the Little Lava Fire (15,541 acres) and Lucky Butte Fire (548 acres), burned a large swath of forest from Sheridan Mountain, just south of Mt. Bachelor, to the Edison Sno-Park along River Summit Drive (Forest Service Road 45). The 30 total fires forming […]

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Step Into Winter: Wildlife Tracking Snowshoe Hike with Think Wild

Join Think Wild for a winter hike combining snowshoeing and wildlife education
Avatar photo by Savannah Mendoza

Outdoor enthusiasts in Bend are always looking for their next adventure. During the winter, snowshoeing offers a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re looking for fresh air, exercise or a deeper connection with nature, snowshoeing checks all the boxes. Think Wild, a nonprofit wildlife hospital and habitat conservation organization, is […]

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Find Your Flow: A Unique Wellness Series in Bend

Gather Sauna House and Wildland Guiding Company collaborate to offer a transformative experience of yoga, meditation and thermal cycles in nature
Avatar photo by Savannah Mendoza

Imagine stepping from a steaming sauna into the crisp embrace of a Central Oregon winter, your body alive with sensation and your mind as clear as the Deschutes River beside you. This harmony of movement, mediation and nature is at the heart of FLOW/FLOW — a wellness event series blending yoga flow, thermal therapy and […]

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Birds of Malheur

A guide to observing migrating birds at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
by Renee Schiavone

Few experiences will put you in touch with the rhythms of the natural world quite like watching an avian migration. In Oregon, we’re lucky to witness one of North America’s greatest animal migration paths right in our backyard. Each spring and fall, billions of birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway, a route stretching from Alaska […]

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Snowshoe with a Ranger this Winter at Mt. Bachelor

From January to March, join a 90-minute snowshoe tour along Egan Cone
Avatar photo by Chris Young

Those outdoor enthusiasts in Central Oregon who were dreaming of a white Christmas definitely got their wish. On Dec. 26, it was widely reported that Mt. Bachelor had the deepest snowpack in the country. If downhill runs and chilly chairlift rides are not your style, the mountain does offer something at a different speed that’ll […]

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Bonfire on the Snow: A Magical New Year’s Eve Adventure

Ring in 2025 in the Cascade Mountains with a snowshoe tour, starlit skies and a champagne toast by the fire
Avatar photo by Savannah Mendoza

Celebrate the arrival of 2025 with Wanderlust Tours’ Bonfire on the Snow, an unforgettable New Year’s Eve adventure in the Cascade Mountains. Designed for avid adventurers and those seeking an outdoorsy New Year’s Eve experience, the snowshoe excursion will wind through a serene, snow-covered forest under a starlit sky. The journey will lead to a […]

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Suet Smarts: Helping Birds Without Hurting Them

What bird lovers should know about safe suet feeding
by Elise Wolf

Picture this: A chickadee lands on your carefully crafted pinecone feeder, coated with peanut butter or suet and seeds. You’re feeling good about helping local wildlife. But wait! As your neighborhood bird rehabilitator, let me share a secret that could save birds’ lives — and it’s all about the hidden dangers of fats. You know […]

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