The annual Christmas card photo is a beloved tradition, but you may be feeling that the poses in yours are looking a little tired and the smiles on the faces you love appear to be forced, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop the tradition. You can shake up your favorite tradition by changing the location, perhaps taking the photos on the road to Bend during your annual family vacation and even if you pose in matching pajamas in front of a roaring fire, in much the same way you have done for years, doing so in the cozy comfort of our Bend Vacation Rentals holiday hideaways will be an important change. This guide to where you can take your family holiday photos while vacationing in Bend will give you many more ideas on how to make family photos in Bend this Christmas shine brighter than all others!
Bend Community Tree Lighting, December 6
Magic is in the air, a magic that will be reflected in every photo you take as you gather around the Bend Community Tree, watching as with a flick of the switch it lights up the night. Offering Christmas carols performed by local choirs, hot cocoa, and a celebrity meet and greet (and by celebrity, of course we mean old St. Nick himself), this joyful celebration will provide many incredible photo opportunities, with the resulting photos helping to remind you of the fantastic time you had during your holiday getaway to the Northwest!
Tumalo Falls in the Deschutes National Forest
When we look through our Christmas family photos throughout the years, the ones that stand out are often made more unique because of the background, and you can’t get more unique than a family photo posed in front of the iced-over Tumalo Falls. Located just 14 miles from downtown Bend, the crystalline beauty of the frozen water adds a “Frozen” quality to your photograph and provides a stunning backdrop to the colorful winter clothing you all will be wearing. This spot isn’t accessible by car in the winter months, but it IS accessible by snowshoes or cross country skis via a relatively easy hike.
The City of North Bend Christmas Parade, December 7
Now it is true, it can be difficult to take pictures at night, but as the lighted Christmas Parade passes by your spot on its route, it may be the perfect time to take a candid shot of your kids. All the colors of the rainbow will be reflected on each face, vying for attention with sparkle in their eyes as the magic of Christmas lives on in their tiny souls, and when you take the shot from the side, capturing the profiles you love so much, as well as a blurry portion of the lighted floats that have already passed, we think you will find that THIS is the ideal shot to grace your annual Christmas card.
Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Boulevard
Although not as popular today, when we were little, snow globes were a whimsical part of the holiday, and as we carefully shook them, making snow fall on whatever scene was in the center of the globe, we often wished we could climb inside and play. During your Bend adventures, you may discover your globe dreams can come to life as you pose in front of a frozen Mirror Pond while the limbs of the trees bend against the weight of the snow piled upon them and perhaps even more snow gently falls to the ground around you. While not technically a snow globe, it will feel as if you climbed inside one, and the pictures taken here will have a dreamy quality that truly reflects the spirit of the season.
SantaLand, Old Mills District, Weekends from November 29th Through December 23
Starting the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Old Mills District becomes North Pole South on the weekends, offering the North Pole Express mailbox, the Tree of Joy, and of course, Santa Claus, who is waiting to pose for pictures with your good little boys and girls and getting a head start on what to direct the elves to build in preparation of the most exciting night of the year. The pictures taken in SantaLand are sure to be filled with all the excitement of the season and will be even more so the closer we get to Christmas.
Photo Ops at Home with Bend Vacation Rentals
Still have your mind set on a Christmas photo in front of the fireplace? Our properties at Bend Vacation Rentals offer fireplaces in rooms with windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, ensuring that the lighting will be just about perfect for your holiday photo tradition. Bring out the matching jammies, dress your pooch in a Christmas hat and scarf (many of our vacation rentals are pet friendly ones!), and pose for pictures filled with light, joy, and not a single forced smile. Reserve your favorite escape today!
Savor the best season of the year in Bend, Oregon. Take your winter by the reins this year and make it an unforgettable experience, whether you’re coming for the holidays, to quietly explore the natural environment, or to chase your adrenaline rush by skiing down slopes packed with fresh-fallen snow. The winter in Bend has treasures for everyone, and you’ll want to see them all.
Winter Wonderland
Some of the things that Bend is most well-known for are the slopes and winter sports. Pack your skis, snowboards, and more, because this is the time of year to break them out! Pick a rental with prime proximity to the snowy wonderland of the mountain slopes and feel like a king as you wake up and head out to ski without wasting a single moment. But it’s not just skiing and snowboarding you can enjoy on the mountains during the winter. Try out sledding, snowmobiling, and more while you enjoy the crystal white scenery and the snow-dusted deciduous trees.
Make sure to unstrap those skis and explore the other outdoor experiences here too! There is so much to see and soak in. Take a serene hike through the Juniper forest at the Oregon Badlands Wilderness. Mountain biking is also a sport we enjoy throughout the winter here, and there are many different trails you can do this on, such as the Rim Rock Trail, River Trail, Wolf Tree Trail.
Warm Retreats
When you want to warm up, check out some of the exciting indoor activities that can be found here during winter in Bend. Bend Art Center is a perpetual favorite pastime among locals, along with community theater shows put on by the Cascades Theatrical Company. You’ll find lots of theater here; try The Tower Theatre for song and dance, or Tin Pan Theater if you’re a fan of independent foreign films. Some of the most fun you’ll find in town is at Old Mill District, which transforms into a festive experience during the winter. Walk around, shop the shops, enjoy the quant mountain architecture, and explore the wide variety of fun all packed into one hotspot.
Spend the Winter in a Bend Vacation Rental
There is nowhere more picturesque, serene, and exciting that you can spend your winter season than here with us in Bend, and the glue that will tie your whole vacation together will be the rental home you spend your stay in. Call Bend Vacation Rentals today at 541-385-9492 and we’ll help you get started!
As the holidays have ended and we venture deeper into winter,it sometimes feels as if we have nothing to look forward to for a very long time; summer and its warmth and sunshine is a long way away and while spring is closer, it still remains just out of reach. Instead of becoming glum and morose, however, we think you should embrace the magic of winter and start planning a trip to our favorite mountain town; Bend offers winter Oregon activities and events guaranteed to brighten your outlook and quite possibly make you wish that winter would go on forever. Here’s our guide to some of the wonderful things you can try during your winter break in Bend.
Winterfest, Old Mill District, February 15th through 17th
Sometimes,all you need to shake off the winter blues is a celebration of all the fun things winter can bring,and Winterfest is just what you need! Featuring fire pits and s’mores, ice sculptures and fire-breathing dragons, and live music that is guaranteed to keep you dancing in your seats, this unique festival is the perfect way to rediscover the magic of the cold!
It’s the Little Things That Can Matter the Most
If you don’t live in an area where snow is an everyday winter occurrence, you’ll soon find that even the smallest activities can be made better with snow! Building a snowman with your kids can create memories that last a lifetime, bundling up in your warmest winter clothes for a hike along the Deschutes River, or simply catching a snowflake on your tongue; none of these activities are earth shattering adventures but all will add a touch of magic to your once-in-a-lifetime Oregon vacation.
Winter Oregon Activities: Outdoor Ice Skating
The romance of gliding around an outdoor ice rink, feeling the cold of the winter air kiss your nose as snowflakes gently fall around you simply cannot be matched and when you spend a few hours at the Seventh Mountain Ice Skating Rink,you’ll wish your time here never had to end. Located at 18575 SW Century Drive and costing $7 for adults and $5 for kids (skate rentals are $7 and $5 respectively) this winter activity is one of our favorite ways to up the romance factor in our own households but is also a great activity for those traveling with children!
Choose Bend Vacation Rentals for your Winter Escape
Warm and welcoming, our properties are the perfect place to unwind after a day of winter Oregon activities; reserve yours today!
Bend, Oregon is one of the most visited places during the months of winter. This goes for people that live in hotter climates and need to get their yearly dose of snow, but also for those that live near here. People that live near here know that Bend is the best winter destination in the area because it gets some of the most snow in the Pacific Northwest and it is quite simply the most beautiful area in this part of the country. Great community events and incredible recreational opportunities throughout the area are just a couple of the things that you will love about Bend in winter.
Winter in Bend Skiing and Snowboarding
Amazing snowfall and one of the best peaks in the area in Mt Bachelor make this a major skiing and snowboarding destination for people from all over the country. Here, you will find a mountain where you can lose yourself for the whole day on endless runs of all kinds. Friendly bunny hills and epic black diamonds come together to create one of the most fun experiences for everyone. This winter sports area offers some of the best variety in recreation that you will find anywhere, as you can of course find downhill skiing, but there is also a massive area for Nordic skiing. This is a must try activity for those that are not familiar with it.
Hiking
Of course, there is more than enough snow to appease your appetite for your typical winter activities, but the area also offers plenty of dry land where the snow tends to not fall—places like Smith Rock State Park and Pilot Butte. This lends itself to providing the best hiking opportunities in the Pacific Northwest during the winter. These hikes give you all of the pleasure of hiking on dry land, but also offer incredible views of the snowcapped mountains and trees that stretch as far as the eye can see. This is a great way to get a little exercise and see some of the most beautiful landscape you will ever see.
Ice Skating at the Pavilion
One of the most popular places to visit during the winter is the ice skating pavilion in the heart of Bend. Here, you will find a lively scene full of friends and family enjoying the contagious holiday spirit that is available throughout the whole community. This outdoor rink is covered by a roof, giving it an outdoor feel complete with protection from the elements so it is always a good time for skating. You will also find fire pits for relaxing in between skates and concessions.
Winter in Bend is such that you do not need to do much to enjoy it. Simply walking the festive streets of town will provide for a memorable evening, as will any number of fun winter activities. The beautiful thing about this place is it offers a little bit of everything, so your winter vacation in Bend will be exactly what you want it to be.