The best things to do in Bend for January

If “start the year somewhere awesome” is on your New Year’s resolution list, Bend’s got you covered. Peaks doused in snow ready for you to come play. Chilly, nose-tingly days practically engineered for hot cocoa mustaches. Or ring in the new year with a contrast therapy session to help undo whatever last year did to your bones.

Add in a few of Mother Nature’s favorites, like bluebird afternoons strolling along the Deschutes River Trail or riding Mt. Bachelor’s slopes with winter confetti cheering you on. Take your pick, she packs it all.

Here’s what to consider when planning a winter trip to Bend in January: 

• January in Bend delivers snow sports, sunny winter hikes, wellness experiences, and food-forward dining with fewer crowds and lower lodging prices.
• Know the winter driving conditions, how to pack to stay warm, and what to bring for safe mountain and in-town adventures.
• Mt. Bachelor shines in January with prime snow conditions, fewer holiday crowds, downhill and Nordic skiing, lessons for kids, and après options.
• Beyond skiing, you can snowshoe, winter hike, go fat-tire biking, and relax with contrast therapy, massage, yoga, art studios, and creative workshops.
• Bend’s January food scene supports wellness goals and Dry January with healthy restaurants, plant-based spots, and standout non-alcoholic beers and mocktails.

Now let’s dive in!

What’s the weather like in Bend in January?

The weather in Bend in January can be a mix of sun and snow with crisp days and nights.

Average high: 42º F

Average low: 24º F

Average number of snow days in town: 8

Monthly average number of inches of snow: 6

Do you melt for a good snowstorm? Do you like sunny days in the 50s? Do you even sometimes crave a little rain? Me neither. But in January, you might just experience all the winter weather in those 31 days.

What are road conditions for a trip to Bend in January?

Roads in and around Bend can get icy in January, especially in the mornings and evenings, and plowing can take time when it snows. The good news is that it often melts quickly in town. Good tires (think proper snow tires) will make a world of difference, especially when you head up into the mountains. Some routes into Bend will take you over mountain passes where traction tires (proper snow tires) or chains are required. Take it slow, know your route, and go easy through those roundabouts once you’re here. You can check road conditions here.

What should I pack for a trip to Bend in January?

When packing for a winter trip to Bend, layering will be your best friend. No need to pack the t’s and flops. Instead, bring a warm, puffy jacket, a beanie and gloves. A good set of long underwear—think wool or synthetic fibers—will help keep you toasty even just walking around town. Heading off on an adventure? Bring the 10 winter essentials and let someone know where you’re going. Keep an eye on the weather report. 

Is Mt. Bachelor a good place to ski in January?

Yes! January is one of the best months to ski at Mt. Bachelor, with holiday breaks finished and the sugar-hyped kids back in school. Downhill skiing, snowboarding, nordic skiing, sledding, and even sled dog tours, you’ll find some of the best winter fun and conditions at one of North America’s largest ski resorts, with more than 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain. Get your tickets online in advance and you’ll save on lift ticket prices, too. Find a place to stay when skiing Mount Bachelor here.

If the kids are ready to try to ride, get those young’uns into lessons through the Ski or Board in 4 program or the Signature Start series for kids ages 3-6 that includes rental gear, a two-hour lesson, and a half day of daycare.

While the kids wipe the frozen snot from their noses, how about grabbing a bite at Rock Bar in the West Village Lodge or The Sun Bar at the Sunrise Lodge, both of which have some of the best Bloody Marys anywhere. If you’re doing Dry January, I swear I won’t tell if you sip just one. Otherwise, Bend has lots of N/A options, too. Read on for that!

Where to cross country ski and snowshoe near Bend in January

Bend has upwards of a hundred miles or more of prepared cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails at Mt. Bachelor as well as in the Deschutes National Forest that comes right up to city limits. Your choices are myriad. Many sno-parks sit within 30 minutes of downtown where you can access trails. You need a sno-park permit. Pick one up at the Bend Visitor Center, Bi-Mart and most outdoor shops. Alternatively ride the new shuttle organized through the Meissner Nordic Club. Here are some recommendations on sno-parks near Bend and what they’re best for:

• Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
  Perfect for finding your flow with miles of groomed Nordic trails through ponderosa forests that even wind up to a few warming shelters. These are free community trails maintained by the Meissner Nordic Club. Please make a donation if you can. 

• Swampy Lakes Sno-Park
  If you’re craving quiet, Swampy Lakes delivers mellow snowshoe and ungroomed ski routes that feel wonderfully tucked away.

• Wanoga Sno-Park
  Bring on the variety from Nordic skiing, groomed fat-bike trails, and a designated sled hill. And if your pup loves making some spurious zoomies in the snow, Wanoga is dog-friendly. Head to Central Oregon Nordic Club to learn more and please make a donation if you can!

• Edison Sno-Park
  A little more off the beaten path with a little more technical terrain, Edison offers rolling hills and forested trails that are peaceful, but certainly not boring. You can also access 7,358-foot Kwohl Butte from here, a fun area for backcountry skiers, but it’s a haul at about 5 miles one-way from the parking area. Many visitors snowmobile in.  

Can you hike in Bend in January?

Absolutely. Despite all the snow in the mountains, there’s a good chance of light to no snow in town and lower elevations.

The Oregon Badlands Wilderness offers the ultimate high desert hike east of Bend with thousands of acres of magical desert landscapes and all the solitude you crave, a nice treat after weeks of holiday hosting. My wife and I love it out here on sunny winter days with little wind for the otherworldly “Badlands Rock” formation off the Castle Trail and a sky so big you wear it on your shoulders.

Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint is smack in the middle of town and makes a lovely winter hike, with stunning views of the snow-capped Cascades from the top. You’ll seldom see a more epic sunset or sunrise than you’ll spot from the top of this dormant, 188,000-year-old  volcano. 

The forested trails at Shevlin Park let you embark on a winter walk without trekking far. Riley Ranch Nature Reserve sits along a gorgeous canyon and the hike from there north to Tumalo State Park has rapidly become one of my little-effort, big-reward favorites with old growth trees, a frothy river, and craggy basalt cliffs. The Deschutes River Trail is easiest to access right from the Old Mill District and offers a quick nature fix that feels way bigger than its in-town address. 

Check out this blog post for more ideas on inspiring winter hikes. You’ll also find a few in this roundup of short but sweet hikes that are especially great for winter.

Places to recharge in Bend after a big day outside

Flux Thermal Lounge is the place to melt in a 104-degree spa, chill in a cold plunge, and melt again through contrast therapy until your muscles finally forgive you, especially after a day on the mountain. Plus, Flux Founder Dini Vemuri is a bright beam of sunlight. ChillWell also offers contrast therapy sessions with infrared saunas, as well as a float tank that will reset your brain. Ask founder Bryan Messmer about his own conversion from skeptic to believer in the benefits of contrast therapy. He even wrote a book.

The NOW Massage is where to head when you need someone to deal with the knots you’ve been pretending not to notice. Bella Nuova offers plant-based pampering and seriously luxurious skin care in a calm, quiet space where your body can start the year fresh. Yoga Shala has everything from gentle flows to sweaty vinyasa, perfect for easing back into shape, and stretching sore muscles. 

If creativity is your chosen path to enlightenment, you’re in luck. Freak’n Art gives you permission to paint, draw, sketch and create with pure chaotic joy, a real treat on a chilly day. Studio Create offers pottery begging for bold designs, questionable color choices, and bragging rights either way.

What are some healthy restaurants in Bend?

Lose a few pounds. Eat more veggies. Every year I say this and within a few weeks I’m back on the bacon with my egg-white omelet wagon. But if you’re crushing those healthy goals, here are some fabulously tasty and good-for-you eats in Bend. 

Broken Angel serves up vegan comfort food so good you’ll forget it’s healthy—try the Just B&G biscuits with wild mushroom gravy and tell me it’s not magic. Farmer’s Deli keeps it fresh with bright, veggie-forward plates that taste straight from the farm. Toasty brings cozy-but-clean energy with melts and sandwiches that won’t sink your day. 

Fix & Repeat is basically the wellness retreat of your dreams disguised as a café—those açaí bowls are winter mood boosters. Active Culture leans into feel-good comfort with wraps and bowls that fill you up without taking you down. Salud, 100% plants and organic, keeps salads, wraps, and smoothies fresh, brite, and so good you’ll start bragging about your “plant-based era.” And Locavore Market & Grocery is your spot for grab-and-go soups, snacks, and locally made goodies that turn any snowshoe outing into a surprisingly gourmet moment. Royal Juice Company has a deliciously healthy selection of bottled juices. 

Where can you go out for Dry January?

Good news—you don’t have to sit in a corner with sparkling water, not in Bend, anyway. 

Bend’s breweries make it ridiculously easy to still feel like you’re part of the hopped-up fun. Crux’s NØMØ beers are so good you might forget the “NO” part entirely. Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House pours NA versions of Fresh Squeezed and Black Butte Porter that taste shockingly close to the originals. Boneyard Beer keeps things chill with its CBD Elixir, and Worthy Brewing’s Hop Quencher brings those crisp, cozy winter vibes in zero-proof form. In other words, you can still “grab a beer” without the morning regrets.

In the mood for something fruity, bubbly, or shaken to perfection? Dogwood at the Pine Shed mixes mocktails with the same bold flavors and flair as their boozy counterparts. And when the night calls for something slower and moodier, San Simón and The Flamingo Room both deliver those low-light, linger-awhile vibes and creative elixirs.

Feeling ready for the new year? Then bust out those puffy jackets and warm wool socks, and let’s toast to 2026, Bend style!