Oregon: Sunriver, A Snowman Named Kit Carson. Making a snowman that also looks like a cowboy is a daunting task but at Sunriver, the land of Kit Carson and pioneer legends, the idea makes perfect sense.

Veteran snowman builders may now build snow people but the techniques remain the same, and identity sensitivity is essential. During every creation the rolling snow takes on its own personality. With patience and endurance it is possible to make a likeness of grandpa or pay homage to the “Wild West”  by creating a cowboy or cowgirl, or both. On holiday in Oregon the options for fun are plenty but snow-person building is at the top of the list.

Possibilities for unique experiences exist in many forms and yet it is the perfect place to do absolutely nothing and not feel guilty. Assembled below are a few ideas for families in vacation mode.

Track on snowshoes. During the winter months Wanderlust Tours conducts daily escorted snowshoeing excursions guaranteed to provide memories for a lifetime.  Their Natural/Cultural History Snowshoe Tours depart daily 9am and 1pm. More intriguing for older kids, the full moon snowshoe excursions conducted monthly based on, guess what? The moon.  Naturalist guides who provide interpretation of the area and its uniqueness on the planet lead the snowshoeing adventures. Sound boring? It’s not. They love Sunriver and snow and convey that energy to the excursions.

Walk the lava beds. The Northwest Interpretive Association conducts snowshoe nature walks led by Forest Service volunteers. The walks are free of charge but lift tickets may be needed for Alpine routes. This is an excellent way to gain a sense of place and try out the idea of snowshoeing at the same time. Participants meet with a naturalist outside the West Village Bachelor Ski & Sport Shop for a one-hour, one-mile walk. Best of all the snowshoes are provided. The program is available to those 10 years of age and older. They also conduct snowshoeing walks at Lava Lands beginning each January.

Trace cross-country trails. Another energy burn, navigating the cross-country trails, easy to do with a Mountain Pass. The trails are groomed and marked and lead through the beautiful Deschutes National Forest. Snowshoers also use the same trails. This newly discovered family activity looks easier than it is and is more fun than it looks. Just rent the shoes, step outside and start shoeing. Laughing and heavy breathing will follow.

Ride with the dogs. When it seems more appealing to expend less effort, yet experience the richness of the area, then dog sledding is high on the family adventure list. Combining dogs and snow and fresh air makes for fun, no matter the age. In Sunriver "Oregon Trail of Dreams" Dog Sled Rides provides journeys through the Deschutes National Forest. In the distance Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top and the Three Sisters provide the perfect wilderness backdrop for a movie. The one-hour rides include an orientation and a chance to participate in the care and feeding of the dogs. For young children there is a mini ride that lasts about 10 minutes. Dog kisses are free.

Have a llama encounter. A unique day outing that is just as much fun as meeting sled dogs, llama encounters will delight all ages. At Haligan Ranch visitors may have an authentic hands-on experience that includes petting, leading, grooming and obstacle course. Located north of Bend in Redmond, the ranch has more than fifty resident llamas of varying ages and sizes. Kids of all ages have an opportunity to lead a llama on a hike through sagebrush, Juniper trees, hay fields and irrigated pastureland.

Ride the horses. Yet another snow time animal encounter is possible at Saddleback Stables. Located on the west side of Sunriver along the Deschutes River they provide guided trail rides, weather permitting all year long. The length and time on the trail depends on the desires and skills of the riders. The Saddleback guides like kids and horses and make all ages feel at home. For the youngest family members not trail ready, they offer pony rides.

Go for a sleigh ride. Just imagine gliding over the snow-draped terrain in a horse drawn sleigh. Saddleback Stables offers sleigh rides beginning at 10 am each day, weather permitting. Each sleigh holds at least six adults and the rides last 30 minutes. Because they have three sleighs no one will be left behind. To make the ride more comfortable it is a good idea to dress in wind proof garb and bring a blanket to cover legs and feet. Cold or not, this is a grand idea to do with kids.  

Skate the rink. When the snow flies mini golf disappears and in its place an ice skating rink in created. This is an easy to organize idea at the heart of Sunriver within eye site of Goody’s Soda Fountain, the perfect place for hot chocolate and cookies. Also within walking distance of the rink is Hot Lava Baking Company known for bread…wonderful bread and delightful treats like white chocolate macadamia nut cookies and snicker doodles.  

Enjoy the High Desert Museum. For a morning out the High Desert Museum is ideal. Located thirteen miles north of Sunriver on Highway 97, this is a world class participatory museum with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits and presentations on nature, art, science and history. Indoor exhibits feature walk-through dioramas on the history of the American West. Also inside is the Desertarium showcasing bats, kangaroo rats, burrowing owls and other small and seldom seen animals of the region. Live animal presentations feature river otter, porcupine and birds of prey.

Yodel and foot-stomp. Just to the north of Bend in Tumalo, families looking to experience the American West will find the Diamond B Chuckwagon Show. Created and presented by a musical family, the Boohers all eight of them, the show celebrates the unique traditions of the American West with low tech, high-energy music, from gospel to swing and cowboy ballads to yodeling.  In addition to foot-stomping, where there is a chuckwagon there is cowboy grub and dining.

Ride the train. Crooked River Dinner Train provides another great family outing with a modern-day moving tribute to frontier spirit.  Located on Highway 20 in Sisters, the 1800's Western themed dinner train features characters from the Wild West. Journey back in time as the staff on board entertains with living history vignettes and a glimpse of frontier life when Oregon was a territory.

Try snow tubing. For a high-energy day snow tubing is the choice of every 10-year-old and every 10-year-old wanna-be. It is always tops on the family fun scale because almost everyone can do it. The Mt. Bachelor Snowblast Tubing Park provides multiple lanes and a wild ride complete with twists, turns and rolls. From the top there are several sculpted lanes from which to choose, all designed to be fun. For any parent still feeling the tension of work try tubing with your kid, laughing comes naturally.

Details

Exploring Mt. Bachelor. Bend. 1-800-829-2442, Snow Report 1(541) 382-7888 or www.mtbachelor.com 

Wanderlust Tours. Bend, 1-800-962-2862 or www.wanderlusttours.com

Northwest Interpretive Association. Bend Fort Rock Ranger District, 1230 NE Third, Bend, OR 97701. For school groups they have treks at the Lava Beds. 1(541) 383-4000 or 383-4771.

Oregon Trail of Dreams Dog Sled Rides. 1-800-829-2442 or www.SledDogRides.com

High Desert Museum. Located thirteen miles north of Sunriver on US97, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. 1(541) 382-4754 or www.highdesertmuseum.org                             

Llama Encounters. Halogen Ranch. 9020 S. Hwy. 97 Redmond, 1(541) 389-6855 or llama@empnet.com

Diamond B Chuckwagon Show. 19889 8th Street, Tumalo. 1(541) 330-1117, 1-877- 886-8998.

The Crooked River Dinner Train. Located approximately 20 miles west of Bend on Highway 20 in Sisters. 1(541) 548-8630 or www.crookedriverrailroad.com

 Travel Communications, Inc. 9/2005