Am curious as to how many good snowparks are close to Bend. From my house now to the Mt Baker snow park is 38 miles, I know thats hard to beat but I dont want to move and not have a couple good riding areas within an hour or so. Thanks for any input.
Thinking of moving to Bend
- Thread starter Mr. Princess
- Start date
Sweet! Thank you. Are they GOOD riding areas or riding areas? I am spoiled by the amount of snow we get at Baker, but its not high, dry snow like the east side gets. Regardless that is close and good news, thank you.
Ya Its killer riding if you like the steep and deep thru the trees. Lots of good riding at Bachelor. If you know where to ride.
Stone
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Oregongirl
Well-known member
You should just make the trip and check out the riding area for yourself. 
There are several Baker regulars who have ridden the area that could give you a comparison. Coyotegirl, is one.
There are several Baker regulars who have ridden the area that could give you a comparison. Coyotegirl, is one. Thank you for your input. Sounds like it might be "the right move for my family"
Baker is unique----there is no place like it in the northwest I have seen. That being said, the riding in the Bend area is some of my favorite riding. Paulina Lake, Mt Bachelor, three creeks, hoodoo---the cool thing is there are trailside facilities in these areas--places to eat, get a beer, get gas.
I grew up in LaPine which about 30 miles south of Bend. When I was a kid the population of Bend was less than 20,000 and riding was great. Now with like 85,000 people untracked snow is a little harder to come by.
I still make several trips to bend a year but it seems to me to be hit or miss. If you get new snow and can get to the mountain early or on weekdays riding is great, otherwise not so much. There are some good out of the way places to play but nothing most new sled can't get to the top of if you like climbing, which I do.
Parking is also a problem at mt bachelor unless you like trail riding.
Like mentioned above there are several other riding areas within an hour or so, but Bachelor is the closest and again my .02 usually has the best snow.
I don't want to make it sound all bad, the snow is great you just need to beat to crowd.
I still make several trips to bend a year but it seems to me to be hit or miss. If you get new snow and can get to the mountain early or on weekdays riding is great, otherwise not so much. There are some good out of the way places to play but nothing most new sled can't get to the top of if you like climbing, which I do.
Parking is also a problem at mt bachelor unless you like trail riding.
Like mentioned above there are several other riding areas within an hour or so, but Bachelor is the closest and again my .02 usually has the best snow.
I don't want to make it sound all bad, the snow is great you just need to beat to crowd.
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Wayniac
Member
I agree baker is tough to beat, but Bend offers some really fun places to ride and has a vast amount of acreage. You won't find wicked hill climbs that you need a turbo to climb, but there are some nice faces to have fun on. Much better boondocking than in Washington in my opinion. Snow is the good dry stuff too. The trail system is better maintained and marked. Great family riding. I head down to Bend several times a year from Seattle just because my riding group likes it so much. Evevation is pretty good at the snowparks compared to Washington, if I'm not mistaken around 5000+?
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Oregongirl
Well-known member
Dutchman Sno-park is the highest sno-park in the state at right around the 6000' mark. This year we rode out of there on Memorial Day weekend. 12' base and 16" of fresh snow. It was spectacular!!
Parking here is greatly limited and only for the early birds during the peak season. It can reportedly be full by 7am.
M
mtn_rider08
Well-known member
Dutchman isn't the ONLY snopark out of bend! Wanoga is much bigger. Yeah you have to ride trails "to get to something good" HA!
And if you move a little further south, its not uncommon to ride from your house.
Many other riding areas within an hour drive of bend! Don't want to give away any secrets, but.....I have found some good riding northeast of bend.
And if you move a little further south, its not uncommon to ride from your house.
Many other riding areas within an hour drive of bend! Don't want to give away any secrets, but.....I have found some good riding northeast of bend.
Thank you all.
I am sold.
Now any people willing to let a family of 4 move in????
I am sold.
Now any people willing to let a family of 4 move in????
Wow it got quiet......
Thanks for all of the replies.
Thanks for all of the replies.
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Oregongirl
Well-known member
Oops! My bad.
I didn't mean to imply that Dutchman was the only option. There is Wanoga and Edison. I think there is a great deal of good riding in many other locations too. We have our little secret prime spot too. Oh, and Mr. Princess....I don't live in Bend so I can't be of help with the lodging question. Good luck!!
People snowmobile in Bend??? I thought we just drove in circles in subarus here??
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Wayniac
Member
People snowmobile in Bend??? I thought we just drove in circles in subarus here??
Now that pretty much sums up Sun River! Haha!
Bend, Central Oregon = Too many people, too many tracks, too many .......
They also have a lot of signs telling you what not to do! You can't get lost there...just go from sign to sign to sign to sign to sign to sign..ect ect ect ect ect ...stop to get your ticket from the snow cops...then sign to sign to sign to sign. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee (it's important to stay within 100ft of the signs by rule ..says so right on em....even though the snow cops aren't up to speed on the rules... apparently reading isn't a prerequisite for employment at the forest circus!) It's actually alot like trying to pass through immigration at the CAN/US border. You'll feel like a criminal even if you're not!
Beautiful area ruined by a bunch of "entitled people" who, by birthright, are allowed to recreate in their chosen way...... BUT YOU'RE NOT! (you'll also wear out an inordinate amount of right side tires living in Who's Ville.
Beautiful area ruined by a bunch of "entitled people" who, by birthright, are allowed to recreate in their chosen way...... BUT YOU'RE NOT! (you'll also wear out an inordinate amount of right side tires living in Who's Ville.
F-bomb is speaking the truth, lots of boundrys in the Bachelor area with the ski area, wilderness and watershed. There still it lots of riding to be had, most people make the mistake and head to the moon mtn area, and miss out on a lot of great riding...
Be sure to have all your tags, snowpark permit, headlights, taillights and handwarmers operational on your machines or you will be ticketed.
Be sure to have all your tags, snowpark permit, headlights, taillights and handwarmers
operational on your machines or you will be ticketed.
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Oregongirl
Well-known member
My best advice about the FS and patrols is this....KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. KNOW if the guy speaking to you is even capable of issuing citations. Once he starts questioning you, just ask if he is in position to write you any citations. If he is not, and is simply harassing you, then just politely say "ta-ta" and get back to riding.
I've have several experiences of slander and harassment by a certain FS individual. Which I have reported and will do so again if it keeps up.
Oh - AND PLEASE DO NOT RIDE IN CLOSED AREAS. We are in a continuous battle to keep motorized access open in this forest.
Thanks for respecting the posted boundaries, even if you do not agree with them.
I've have several experiences of slander and harassment by a certain FS individual. Which I have reported and will do so again if it keeps up.
Oh - AND PLEASE DO NOT RIDE IN CLOSED AREAS. We are in a continuous battle to keep motorized access open in this forest.
Thanks for respecting the posted boundaries, even if you do not agree with them. 
