Central Oregon- A Year Round Vacation Paradise

Bend, Ore. – Nestled in the base of the picturesque Cascade Mountains, the resort communities of Bend, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver, Oregon offer a spectacular year-round setting for outdoor recreation. Famous for its high desert sunshine and high mountain vistas, this vacation paradise encompasses charming small towns, pristine wilderness and world-class resorts.

Central Oregon’s beautiful scenery, sunny skies and dry climate have helped create the ideal setting for golf. Many of the game’s finest architects – most recently including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Bandon Dunes designers David McLay Kidd and Tom Doak – have taken that setting and made it a mecca for golf enthusiasts from spring through late fall. The Central Oregon Golf Trail boasts 30 spectacular courses – each unique and many with a championship rating.

In September of 2000 Central Oregon was named among the Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World by Golf Digest magazine. At Sunriver Resort, the premier destination resort in the Northwest, professionals and amateur golfers thrill to the challenge of Crosswater, a Golf Magazine Gold Medal award winner. The Pacific Amateur Golf Classic, held each October on a selection of Central Oregon’s most scenic and challenging courses, has earned the reputation as one of the premier amateur golf events in the country.

Come winter, sunshine and blue skies provide the backdrop for magical snow covered landscapes. Mt. Bachelor, a 9,065-foot volcanic cone offers world-class skiing and snowboarding from November through May. Famous for its deep, dry powder, the mountain annually plays host to Olympic hopefuls and international competitions, as well as families looking for winter fun. With seventy-one runs served by a network of ten of the world’s fastest express lifts, there’s room for every interest and ability. In addition to the world-renowned downhill skiing and snowboarding; snowshoeing tours, sled dog rides and Nordic skiing are all offered on site.

Golf and skiing are only a part of the story however. With nearly 300 days of sunshine, outdoor recreation of all kinds beckons visitors throughout the year. The High Desert’s sparkling rivers and dozens of alpine lakes offer some of the finest fishing in the West. Rafting, hiking, boating, and biking are popular pastimes of tourists and locals alike.

When it’s time to come indoors, the High Desert Museum just south of Bend offers a fun, educational experience for the whole family. This nationally acclaimed “living” museum explores the natural forces, historical events and cultural traditions that have shaped the region. This showplace facility incorporates live animals, a dynamic Birds of Prey exhibit, pioneer presentations, Western and Native American art, streamside exhibits, and walk-through-time dioramas.

Fine dining and tax-free shopping abound in picturesque settings that include the rustic Old West feel of Sisters, the beauty and sophistication of Sunriver, and the charming village atmosphere of downtown Bend. A busy cultural calendar includes live music, theater, art and music festivals as well as many special events.

Accommodations in Central Oregon cater to every budget and taste from intimate bed and breakfasts to luxurious Four-Diamond resorts to traditional Western dude ranches. Convenient commercial air service to Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) from Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Las Vegas, NV; Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix/Mesa, AZ; and Denver, CO, make this paradise accessible.

For more information contact Central Oregon Visitors Association at 1.541.389.8799.

www.VisitCentralOregon.com

May 13, 2010   Posted in: United States NorthWest