It’s almost a guarantee that for six months of the year in Sisters Country you can ski, board, strap on snowshoes, or jump on your snowmobile in some of the most scenic terrain in the Pacific Northwest. Being surrounded on three sides by a 300,000-acre playground, Sisters is base camp for winter enthusiasts intent on snowy adventure.
Where to play:
Three Creeks Sno-Park, an easy 15-minute drive straight south of town on Forest Road 16 (Three Creek Road) provides access to 14 miles of Nordic ski trails and several loop opportunities. The trails here are very easy and the views you get on a clear day are absolutely incredible! This is as close to the base of the Three Sisters as you can get on snowshoes without doing winter snow camping.
Here you can find the only designated snowshoe trail in the Deschutes National Forest. An idyllic 4.9 mile out-and-back trek to Jefferson View Shelter.
Snowmobilers have their own haven with miles upon miles (more than 100) of groomed trails, all the way to Moon Mountain and Bend if you’re so inclined. Or connect with four other Sno-Parks!
Ray Benson Sno-Park is about 25 minutes due west of Sisters off Highway 20 and is a vast winter wonderland north of 4,500 feet. There are nearly two dozen variations with a grand loop of 7.6 miles. Benson is one of the largest Sno-Parks in Oregon, room for every user. And it boasts the sturdy Brandenburg Shelter, plus two others.
The mountain views are flat out stunning. Snowshoers find their happy place on the 5.7 mile south loop. Snowmobilers can hardly count their options as they wiz on by Hoodoo Butte or glide out to Big Lake.
If you want more, then we have Maxwell and Potato Hill Sno-Parks, just a couple miles farther west.
What to expect:
Superb grooming thanks to the many volunteers from area Nordic and snowmobile clubs who take their stewardship very seriously. Multiple terrain options – open meadows, dense forest, panoramic slopes, and more.
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