We’re Paige and Mason. The Bend Banner is our way of keeping tabs on this wild, beautiful place we call home. To the mornings that start with coffee and mountain air, the trails that somehow always lead to a brewery, and the kind of small-town stories that remind you why you chose to live here in the first place.
One Must-Try Winter Hobby
Let’s be honest, Bend in winter can go two ways.
Either you hunker down by the fire with your third cup of coffee, or you decide to become the kind of person who owns snowshoes. We hopped on Reddit to grab a few ideas from other locals.
If you’ve ever looked up at Pilot Butte after a snowfall and thought, “That looks kinda magical,” it’s time to lean in. Snowshoeing might be the single best entry-level winter activity around here. No lift ticket, no lessons, no speed records. Just you, your kids, and a whole new version of the trails you thought you already knew.
Start simple: Tumalo Falls, Swampy Lakes, or Meissner Sno Park. Rent a pair from Powder House or Latitude 44 and go. It’s just walking, but better. You’ll break a sweat, see the forest go quiet under snow, and your kids will feel like tiny explorers in a storybook.
Bring cocoa, water, snacks, and maybe even headlamp it one night for a full-moon trek. There’s nothing like seeing your breath puff out under the pines while a thermos of hot chocolate waits back at the car.
Because this winter is meant to be enjoyed.
Winter Activity Honorable Mentions
Cross-Country Skiing – Meissner Sno Park or Virginia Meissner Shelter are both perfect for beginners. Bonus: you can drag your dog along if you stay off the groomed trails.
Ice Skating at The Pavilion – Great for families and secretly a killer leg workout.
Birdwatching – The Sunriver Nature Center hosts a Family Christmas Bird Count every December. Yes, binoculars count as gear.
Archery – Warm, focused, oddly meditative. And your kids will think you’re a superhero.
A Cafe Worth Talking About
Bend is loaded with good coffee shops and cafes. We could write a list of them all, but that would be the story.
Today, we’re going to talk about one of these cafes. Café Des Chutes.
Tucked just a few blocks from the Old Mill, Café Des Chutes feels like the kind of place that actually means it when they say “stay awhile.” It’s warm, minimal, and smells like butter and espresso had a beautiful little baby.
The coffee’s sourced from local roasters, the pastries are baked in-house, and everything feels like it was made by someone who still cares about the small stuff. The croissants actually flake. The baguettes remind me of the bakery I visited in Barcelona. Even the breakfast sandwich manages to make you question why you ever settled for drive-thru versions.
It’s French, but not in the “white tablecloth” way. More in the “morning sunlight through tall windows while you lose track of time with a friend” way.
Locals swing by for a slow breakfast. Remote workers camp with laptops and second cappuccinos. Families drift in on Saturdays for warm scones and a reminder that you can, in fact, have a calm morning in Bend.
There’s a lot of coffee in this town, but Café Des Chutes has figured out something rare: how to make a café feel like a breath.
If you go, order the ham and butter baguette, snag a croissant or cookie for later, and don’t rush. That’s kind of the whole point.
🐾Bend’s Best Good Boys & Good Girls 🐾
🐶 Ace – 6 years, Lab/Retriever
Ace is a sweet, social guy who loves everyone he meets and gets along great with other dogs. He’s still got that classic Lab spirit, always up for a walk, a game of fetch, or a treat or two—but he’s also learned the art of slowing down.
🐱 Ophelia – 3 years, Terrier/Pit
Meet Ophelia! This athletic, easygoing girl is all heart. She’s happiest by your side—whether that’s out exploring new trails or just hanging out at home. Ophelia lives to please and loves her people deeply.
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Until Next Week,
Paige & Mason