Ski Trails at Meissner Sno-Park

2010-Winter-Central-Oregon-Travel-Outdoors-Mt-Bachelor-dog-sledding-winter-snow
Dog sledding at Mt. Bachelor in Central Oregon. / Photo by Robert Agli

Nestled on the east side of the Cascade Range, Bend is home to the Deschutes Brewery, Mt. Bachelor and the lesser-known Virginia Meissner Sno-Park. Meissner is 15 miles south of Bend on the west side of Century Drive. Maintained by the Tumalo Langlauf Club and funded entirely by donations, Meissner offers more than thirty kilometers of groomed Nordic trails and snowshoe routes.

History

Virginia Meissner Sno-Park was established in the early 1970s and named in honor of Virginia Meissner. Along with her husband, Jack (featured in the 2010 Winter issue of 1859 Oregon’s Magazine), Virginia worked to develop young skiers and outdoor enthusiasts, advocated the development of Sno-Parks along Century Drive and was instrumental in classifying the west side of Century Drive as non-motorized.

Experience

Freshly groomed corduroy greets you on a bright Saturday morning. No trail pass required, just a Sno-Park permit and your skis. At the information kiosk, you’ll find a trail map and a donation slot to leave a few dollars if you want to help fund the grooming of Meissner. Wide skate trails and set classic tracks await you. With more than thirty kilometers of Nordic trails and a warming shelter, you’ve got enough to keep you busy for a long day of cross-country skiing.

Equipment Rentals

Sunnyside Sports
541.382.8018

Pine Mountain Sports
541.385.8080

A Bite to Eat

Whether out for a bit of morning exercise or spending the day exploring each and every trail, be sure to stay fueled and hydrated. Stop by one of the local coffee shops in town for a latté and a quick bit to eat , or bring a sack lunch to enjoy in the shelter.

The Morning Coffee Stop:

Thump Coffee
25 Northwest Minnesota Avenue
Bend
541.388.0226

Strictly Organic Coffee Bar
450 SW Powerhouse Dr.
Suite 400
Bend
541.647.1402

Backporch Coffee Roasters
1075 Northwest Newport Ave.
Bend
541.617.3984

Bring a Sack Lunch:

Devore’s Good Food Store
1124 Northwest Newport Ave.
Bend
541.389.6588

Newport Avenue Market
1121 NW Newport Ave
Bend
541.382.3940

Mother’s Juice Bar and Café
1255 Northwest Galveston Avenue
Bend
541.318.0989

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  1. Thanks for the picture and shout out for sled dog tours at Mt. Bachelor. This is my 35th season providing sled dog rides in Central Oregon and my 20th. season at Sunrise Lodge on Mt. Bachelor. 800-829-2442 Reservations.