Summer Dispatch: 024
A Slopeside Guide to Oregon Three Ways™ (but mostly Bend).
It’s nearly August, which means we’re inching closer to the best season of them all. (You know the one.)
By now, I’ve hit my annual s’mores quota (three, exactly) and despite the overflowing heirloom tomatoes and peak-season peaches at the farmers market, I’m already feeling the first flicker of a pumpkin spice craving.
In today’s letter: a few headlines + happenings plus a guide to three very different Oregon experiences – heavy on the Bend recs.
Chairlift Chatter
In the market for a private ski resort? Montana’s Lolo Ranch (1,981 acres and 20 ski runs) can be yours for $24M.
Someone ran a marathon in Tecnica Cochise 130s, because apparently chafing builds character. Could have gone with a lower flex rating imo.
This past winter, we covered Perfect Moment’s unexpected foray into the racing world. They’ve just rolled out their new collab with BWT Alpine Formula One – still a puzzling pairing if you ask me, but Pierre Gasly can make anything look good.
A Slopeside Guide to Oregon Three Ways (but mostly Bend).
I’ve found myself in Oregon three times this summer – each trip wildly different from the last. One was relaxing and indulgent (spa robes were involved), one felt like stepping into a storybook forest (complete with twinkle lights and s’mores), and one was classic Central Oregon: piney, high-desert magic with a side of sunshine. Thanks to two weddings and one family trip, we’re officially calling it my Summer of Oregon, Three Ways™.
Each trip had its own vibe, but the most Slopeside-relevant (and the one you’ll probably want to bookmark) is the Central Oregon edition, specifically Bend and its surrounding alpine playground. This one’s summer-specific, but don’t worry – winter recs will be on deck VERY soon.
1. Central Oregon (Bend)
Bend holds a very special place in my heart. My mom and stepdad lived here for over a decade and I spent almost a year posted up here during peak Covid (as in, March 2020: banana bread, sourdough starter, the whole thing). It’s home to Mt. Bachelor and thousands of remote workers who migrated here during the pandemic because it really is adult Disneyland (if Disneyland had breweries on every corner, 300 days of sunshine, and a trailhead five minutes from anywhere you stand).
Where To Do Things
Scenic drive: Cruise the Cascade Lakes Highway and DIY your dream day. Dozens of lakes, rivers, and panoramic viewpoints.
Hikes:
No Name Lake (via Broken Top Trail) is one of my all-time favorites. You’ll feel like you’re on Mars by the time you get to the top and it is indeed a leg burner.
Tumalo Mountain is another good one for summer views (and makes for a fun uphill ski in winter).
Tumalo Falls – big waterfall energy, worth a visit.
Water Sports:
Sparks Lake is crystal clear and stunning – no facilities, so BYO everything.
Elk Lake is an ideal full-day hang: paddleboard/kayak rentals, pontoon boats, and a solid restaurant with a great patio.
The Deschutes River winds lazily through town and floating it is a summertime rite of passage. Rent tubes at Tumalo Creek Kayak and float the afternoon away. Highly recommend.
Where To Stay
While the hotel scene is growing, Bend’s popularity often outpaces capacity, so if you’re with a group an Airbnb or VRBO is ideal. If you’re hotel/lodge-inclined, a few favorites:
Oxford Hotel: Downtown Bend, super central
Pronghorn Resort: Luxe property, top-tier golf (I was a bar cart girl here one summer!)
Sunriver Resort: Family-friendly, amazing bike paths, beautiful area
Black Butte Ranch*: Another great resort community, excellent restaurants, very family-oriented
Suttle Lake Lodge*: Summer camp vibes. We stayed here this summer – adorable cabins, a boathouse with rentals, delicious food (don’t miss the dockside soft serve)
*both about an hour outside of Bend
Where To Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
El Sancho: Tacos + margs + a great patio. Galveston location is the best.
Spork: Fast casual Asian fusion. Get the fried chicken and green curry.
The Victorian: Breakfast/brunch in a literal Victorian house.
Bos Taurus: Modern steakhouse where you pick your own steak knife, a delightful touch.
Sparrow Bakery: Bend icon. Get the Ocean Roll (cardamom pastry magic).
10 Barrel: The OG Bend brewery. Pub food + good beer.
Crux Fermentation Project: The best of the Bend breweries.
Boss Rambler: Vintage ski themed bar + frosé on tap.
2. McKenzie River/Three Sisters Wilderness
A couple of weeks ago, my brother got married on the McKenzie River and it was Oregon at its absolute finest. Whitewater rafting before the welcome party (nothing says romance like Class III rapids!), twinkle lights strung through the forest, and post-wedding s’mores around a fire like we were in a Pacific Northwest rom com.
We stayed at Loloma Lodge, which we fully took over for the weekend. Guests were spread across riverfront cabins, adorable A-frame tents, and the grand lodge, which gave off major mountain summer camp energy (but with better wine).
The morning of the wedding we hiked to Tamolitch Blue Pool, which was looking especially photogenic in its signature electric blue.
This whole stretch between Eugene and Bend is a pocket of wild, woodsy magic – fly fishing, rafting, and so much hiking. If you’re anywhere nearby, it’s well worth pulling off the highway and staying a while.
3. Willamette Valley
This trip won’t get much airtime here, but it was equally delightful: a few indulgent days in Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine region. A not-insignificant amount of Pinot was consumed, and I truly can’t recommend this area enough – the winemaking talent of Napa (if you know where to look), minus the price tag and pretense.
I could easily write a whole separate guide to the region, but in the spirit of restraint, here are my favorites: Bergström, Sequitur, Flâneur, Résonance, Rodeo Hills, and Hundred Suns. We stayed at The Tributary Hotel in McMinnville, which was incredibly luxe (highly recommend), and ate our way through Humble Spirit, Pizza Capo, Red Hills Market, Trellis, and Okta – all fantastic.
Summer in Oregon is the obvious crowd-pleaser, but winter in the Cascades is even better! Stay tuned.
If you enjoy this letter, please share with friends! Feel free to respond here with ski-related intel, new products you’re loving, or just to say hi. Thanks for reading 💌