If you’re looking to explore Oregon’s winter wonderland beyond Mt. Hood this season, you’ll find that Central, Southern and Eastern Oregon get some of the heaviest snowfall in the state. After a long day on the mountain skiing, snowboarding, sledding or tubing you’ll probably have worked up an appetite for some hearty food and drinks — preferably served up by a roaring fire. Here are some of the coziest spots to kick back, from casual breweries with outdoor fire pits to old-timey bars and restaurants favored by locals.
Note that driving in some of these parts of Oregon can be hazardous, even with chains or snow tires. Make sure to check road conditions before you head out, or leave the driving and planning to a local expert by booking a guided snow tour.
Central Oregon
Hoodoo Ski Area
The closest place to Hoodoo for après-ski merriment is Skip Bar at the The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, about a 10-minute drive down the road. The cocktail lounge has a solid selection of beer and wine, served up alongside a menu of sandwiches, flatbread, schnitzel and steaks. You can also head over to the charming town of Sisters, a half-hour drive from Hoodoo, where you’ll find all sorts of restaurants, bars and cafes, many with outdoor seating. One of the oldest spots in town, the Wild West-inspired Sisters Saloon offers juicy steaks and farm-fresh vegetarian dishes to indoor and outdoor diners, with heat lamps on the patio for chilly winter nights. Other great options include The Open Door wine bar, which has a menu that changes daily, a cozy courtyard with a fire pit and plenty of twinkling fairy lights; and Sisters Depot Kitchen and Cocktail Bar, with an expansive menu, covered patio seating and live music on Thursdays, Saturdays and some Fridays. All three offer classic American fare.
Mt. Bachelor Area
There’s no shortage of excellent spots for getting your post-ski food and drink game on nearby the mountain in Bend. There’s even a shuttle that provides easy transportation from town to snowy Mt. Bachelor, ideal for those who don’t want to drive in the snow. The choice of bars and restaurants in Bend is abundant, with plenty of spots offering indoor and outdoor seating year-round. In this craft-brew capital you’ll find plenty of family-friendly spots to love including Crux Fermentation Project, which regularly hosts food trucks, and the granddaddy of them all, Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House, known for its pizza and tasty pub fare. For fine dining, reserve a table at Ariana, whose chefs offer a fresh take on classic dishes. Sit inside their old Craftsman structure, socially distanced tented patio or semi-private solarium dining room.
Southern Oregon
Cat Ski Mt. Bailey Area, Willamette Pass Resort Area
If you’re visiting Mt. Bailey, five miles from Crater Lake National Park, your best post-ski bet is to head over to Diamond Lake Resort, which offers burgers, sandwiches, chili and chicken dishes in their Lodge Restaurant, plus pizza for an easy takeout meal. There are lots of great options near Willamette Pass, including nearby Odell Lake Lodge & Resort Restaurant, which serves up tantalizing menu items like pan-seared salmon and honey-glazed pork chops for indoor and outdoor dining plus beer, wine and cocktails.
Mt. Ashland Ski Area
After a day spent enjoying the mountain, Ashland has some of the best options for après-ski dining in the area, with a solid selection of upscale and casual restaurants. Hearsay strikes the perfect balance between the two, serving cumin-scented halibut and a Hearsay burger (wagyu beef and Crater Lake blue cheese) with seating options indoors and outside in a lovely patio area. Tuck into the lamb osso bucco at Alchemy, which offers a formal dining experience in a converted old home. For something informal, Creekside Pizza is available by the slice or by the pie at its heated outdoor patio with a large fire pit. In the city’s Railroad District, Peerless Restaurant & Bar focuses on seasonally inspired fine dining, with an impressive cocktail menu and wine list to boot, which can be enjoyed in their spacious garden courtyard with heat lamps, parasols, fountain features and plenty of foliage.
Warner Canyon Ski Area
Two hours east of Klamath Falls in the Fremont National Forest, Warner Canyon is one of the most off-the-grid ski areas in Oregon, perfect if you’re looking to really escape the crowds and embrace the region’s pristine beauty. For après-ski food, drink and camaraderie, head to the nearby town of Lakeview, notably Eagles Nest Food & Spirits, where you can chow down on classic pub fare accompanied by beer and cocktails. For a family-friendly option, head to Campbell Cove Lanes, which offers pizza, burgers and pocket-bread sandwiches along with bowling, with blacklight-illuminated cosmic bowling Thursday through Saturday evenings.
Eastern Oregon
Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort
After a long day of playing on the slopes at Anthony Lakes, head to nearby Baker City to the southeast or La Grande to the northeast for a rewarding meal. In Baker City, don’t miss the chance to dine at the historic Geiser Grand Hotel, one of Oregon’s haunted spots with two fantastic dining options: the laid-back 1889 Cafe, which serves up pub fare and cocktails, and the snazzy Palm Court Restaurant. In La Grande, treat yourself to a special hard-earned night out at the Landing Hotel‘s on-site restaurant, Dining at the Landing, which offers fine-dining dishes in a cozy environment.
Ferguson Ridge Ski Area
After getting your fill of wintry activities on Ferguson Ridge, affectionately known as Fergi by locals and regulars, you’re just a 15-minute drive from the beloved town of Joseph. Here you’ll find all sorts of places to eat, drink and be merry, primarily on the town’s walkable Main Street. Many of the menus focus on steaks, burgers and seafood, but you don’t want to miss the coolest spot in town, the The Gold Room, for excellent woodfired pizzas, cocktails and a hip vibe. Alternatively, head to the Terminal Gravity Brewpub, a few minutes’ drive farther down the road in Enterprise, where you can enjoy their inventive take on pub favorites and craft beer brewed right on-site, all from the comfort of your own private dining tent.
