Are you an aspiring snowshoer or skier? Looking to see stars twinkling over a snowfield or get cozy around an outdoor fireplace on a chilly night? Then Sisters is your base camp for trying a new flavor of winter fun. About 22 miles northwest of Bend on the east slope of the Cascade Mountains, Sisters’ charming downtown and easy access to the outdoors feels like an Old West movie come to life — and visitors will find plenty of outfitters, guides and instructors that make learning a new skill easy. Stay for a few nights and make it a full winter getaway.
Take a Riverside Hike and Stargaze
The Peterson Ridge Trail Network starts right from town, with over 20 miles of mellow singletrack that’s great for mountain biking with families and new riders. Its lower elevation means it’s snow-free for longer than higher elevation trails. Pick up rentals and the latest trail updates at Blazin Saddles before pedaling through the towering ponderosa pines.
Peterson Ridge is also popular for cool-season hiking, as well as the Metolius River Trail, following turquoise waters through quiet forest. Whether riding or hiking, it’s best to avoid trails when they’re muddy or soft, to help protect them.
When daylight fades, look up. Named an International Dark Sky Community in 2025, Sisters is a standout for Oregon stargazing. On cold, clear winter and spring nights, Orion shines bright with its stars Rigel and Betelgeuse overhead. You don’t need any special equipment. Download a stargazing app, bundle up and head outside. Or book a private stargazing tour with Starshine, where knowledgeable guides and telescopes bring the night sky into focus. Find more guided stargazing experiences to suit your group’s needs.
Learn to Ski, Snowboard or Snowshoe on Snowy Slopes
Just 20 miles west on Highway 20, Hoodoo Ski Area is Sisters’ backyard mountain. Families love its shorter lift lines, affordability and slopes that welcome beginner skiers and snowboarders. A full rental shop and lessons for kids to adults can take first-timers from the bunny hill to linking turns in a day. As the sun sets, Hoodoo’s night skiing lights up more than 800 acres. For snow without the skis, Hoodoo’s Autobahn Tubing Park is all thrill, no skill required. Ride up on the rope pull, then race back down with a smile. Or try a skibike, a modified bike that lets you ride down the slopes.
Nordic skiing trades steep descents for steady glides, with groomed routes at Hoodoo and forested loops at Ray Benson Sno-Park that open to views of the Three Sisters and Mt. Washington. There are also trails for snowshoeing — winter’s take on hiking. Hike 8 miles at Three Creek Sno-Park through quiet pines, or head to Ray Benson for a 4-mile loop. Sno-park permits are required November through April and are available at Eurosports or Blazin Saddles.
No gear? No problem. In Sisters, Hillside Ski & Sport rents skis and snowboards, and even sells lift tickets to Hoodoo. Eurosports handles downhill, Nordic and snowshoe rentals, and you can pick up your gear the night before at no extra cost. If you’d rather skip the winter drive, Stagecoach Adventures’ shuttle runs between Sisters and Hoodoo Friday through Sunday multiple times per day (reservations recommended).
Cozy Stays and Tasty Dining in Sisters
Greet the morning with house-roasted coffee and fresh pastries at Sisters Coffee Co., or grab smoothies and gluten-free baked goods from Angeline’s Bakery. For a sit-down plate of pancakes or buttermilk country-fried steak, The Cottonwood Café is a favorite.
For lunch the retro favorite Sno Cap Drive In has been serving burgers, fries and shakes for decades. Sisters Meat and Smokehouse stacks sandwiches high with house-smoked meats that will fill you up after a morning outside. Or head to Three Creeks Brew Pub, where pub staples like fish and chips pair with pints for the adults and mac and cheese and root beer for the kids.
When evening settles in, The Barn in Sisters food-cart pod dishes out tacos, wood-fired pizza and other favorites with indoor seating and outdoor heat lamps and fire pits. High Camp Taphouse brings Himalayan specialties like momos and curries, while The Open Door and Luckey’s Woodsman highlight Northwest-inspired menus with seasonal plates. Staying at the Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel puts dinner just steps from your room, with a pint waiting in the hotel’s own taphouse.
For the best experience, book a room in Sisters to keep the adventure going. FivePine Lodge offers spacious cabins with fireplaces, plus access to an on-site spa and a movie house for relaxing after a day outdoors. GrandStay Hotel & Suites has a year-round heated indoor pool and whirlpool, a welcome treat after the slopes. Left Coast Lodge, right in town, brings a cozy mountain vibe with its communal outdoor fireplace. At the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge, families and groups can spread out in roomy suites before soaking in the hot tub.
