Back in September, this was just an idea. A “what if we started a little local thing” kind of idea. No master plan. No big rollout. Just a hunch that Bend deserved something that felt like it was written by someone who actually lives here.

Now here we are, a few months later, with 1,100+ local readers showing up every week. Opening. Replying. Sending tips.

The Bend Banner only works because you read it. Because you forward it to a friend. Because you emailed us about a trail, a taco, a weird sign, or something quietly changing in town that felt worth noticing.

We can’t tell you how much we appreciate it.

We’re excited to keep digging in the new year. More stories. More local businesses. More hikes, history, food, kids stuff, and the small details that make Bend feel like Bend.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for trusting us with your inbox. And thanks for caring about this place as much as we do.

We’ll keep writing.

See you in the new year.

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.

Banner’s Guide To Bend Snowparks

Every winter, the forests west of town quietly turn into Bend’s unofficial playground. No lift tickets. No lines. Just plowed parking lots, packed snow, and a shared understanding that yes, you probably should have brought one more layer.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Virginia Meissner Sno-Park

This is the cornerstone. If someone in Bend says they went skiing but not at Bachelor, there’s a good chance they were here.

Meissner is primarily for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with miles of groomed trails and warming huts that feel like a small miracle on cold days. Dogs are not allowed due to watershed restrictions, something that comes up regularly on r/Bend threads when winter hits.

This spot fills up fast on weekends and powder days. Every local knows the rule. Go early or turn around disappointed.

Wanoga Snow Play Area

Wanoga is where sleds come out, and kids lose gloves within ten minutes.

It’s one of the most versatile snowparks near Bend. Sledding hills, snowshoe trails, fat bike routes, nordic skiing, and space for dogs on leash.

It’s social. It’s loud on weekends. It’s exactly what most families are looking for.

Swampy Lakes Sno-Park

Swampy is the quieter sibling to Meissner.

Groomed Nordic trails. Warming shelters. Fewer people. No dogs. If Meissner feels hectic, Swampy is where you go to slow the whole thing down.

Skyliner Sno-Park and Tumalo Falls Area

Skyliner is the closest snowpark to town and the easiest to do on a whim.

Skyliner gives you access to snowshoe routes along Tumalo Creek and winter access to Tumalo Falls. Trails here are mostly ungroomed, which means snowshoes are usually the better call than skis unless conditions are perfect.

Dogs are allowed, and this spot is popular with locals who want a quick winter walk without committing to a full day mission.

Vista Butte Sno-Park

Vista Butte is more low-key and more rugged.

Ungroomed trails. Fewer people. Big Cascade views when the weather cooperates. It’s not a sledding destination and not great for beginners, but it comes up often when locals ask for quieter snowshoe spots with less foot traffic.

Dogs are not allowed here.

Must Try Sushi in Bend

Salmon Box

There are sushi nights in Bend that feel casual. Grab a roll, sit at the bar, call it good.

And then there’s Ryoshi Sushi.

Ryoshi is where you go when you want to slow the whole thing down. When you want to sit, share, point at plates as they land, and quietly say “okay, yeah, this is special” after the first bite.

The move here is the nigiri and sashimi boxes. They’re generous, beautifully arranged, and built for the table. A little ceremony without the stiffness. One box turns into a conversation. Two boxes turns into a very good night. The fish is the star, and it shows. Clean cuts. No filler. No overworked sauces trying to steal attention.

A lot of what you’re eating was flown in from Japan, and you can taste the difference. The texture is right. The flavor is deep without being heavy. It’s the kind of sushi that reminds you this is a craft, not a trend.

Ryoshi also quietly has one of the best sake menus in town. It’s thoughtful, well-curated, and actually useful. Whether you know exactly what you like or want a recommendation, the staff will steer you right without making it feel like a test.

This is a great spot for a group. Order broadly. Share everything. Let the boxes do the work. It’s celebratory without being loud, refined without being precious, and consistently excellent in a way that keeps locals coming back.

Bend doesn’t always shout about its best food. Sometimes it just places it gently in front of you and lets you figure it out.

Ryoshi is one of those places.

🐾Bend’s Best Good Boys & Good Girls 🐾

🐶 Louie – 1 year, Retriever/Lab
Energetic pup looking for lots of stimulation and playtime with his next family. He is reportedly housetrained.

🐱 Sailor – 2 years - Terrier/Pit
Social and friendly with the dogs he’s met, this boy loves to play. He will be a great companion to anyone.

The Bend Banner is as local as it gets — written here, for the people who actually call this place home.

No big media machine, no out-of-town editor guessing what Bend cares about. Just a weekly letter built from real conversations, real places, and real curiosity.

If you choose to support it, every bit helps me bring you more of the good stuff — the stories, the characters, the weird corners of this town that deserve a spotlight.

Appreciate you, friends. Thanks for being part of this.

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