Forest Service and volunteer rangers lead educational snowshoeing and ski tours

BEND– Discover Your Forest, in collaboration with the Deschutes National Forest and Mt. Bachelor Ski Area are starting their annual interpretive programs. The programs allow visitors to the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area to snowshoe or ski or snowboard with a ranger. All interpretive programs focus on the ecology, geology and wildlife of the Cascades.

Snowshoe programs will start Saturday December 22, 2018 and run through March 31, 2019.  Interested participants will meet at the Forest Service snowshoeing hut located at Mt. Bachelor’s West Village at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekends and Oregon school break week days with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day.  Tours last 90 minutes and snowshoes are provided for the tour. No prior experience is needed. Participants must be 8 years or older and should dress appropriately for cold weather.

On weekends beginning January 5, 2019 and running through Sunday, March 31, 2019 an interpretive ski and snowboard tour will be offered on Mt. Bachelor’s groomed runs. The tour, which lasts an hour, begins at 2 p.m. Participants are responsible for having lift tickets and appropriate equipment, as well as, basic riding skills.

While both programs are free, donations are suggested to help non-profit Discover Your Forest continue to provide educational programing and volunteer support to the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland.

Reservations are not required for individual participants. Group tours for schools, youth or other organizations may be scheduled for weekdays.  Tour size is limited, first come, first served. No pets.

To make a reservation for a school group or organization email karen.gentry@discovernw.org or call 541-383-4771

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Gentry, Discover Your Forest’s Director of Education at (541)383-4771