Central Oregon Nordic Club upcoming events

Saturday Hike: Benham Butte Loop (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:30:00 GMT

We will follow old roads and an abandoned trail to complete a circuit around Benham Butte. Our trip will include a stop at the Deschutes River.

Distance: Approx 5 miles round trip. Plan on spending 4-5 hours including drive time to/from the trailhead.

Elevation gain/loss: 560 feet of gain/loss overall

What to bring: Ten essentials, water, snack/lunch, and proper footwear (no tennis shoes or sandals). Non-cotton clothing and other gear suitable for cooler and possibly damper conditions. Dogs are not allowed on this hike.

Difficulty level: Easy.

Number of hikers: Sign up is not required for this hike.

Carpooling: Carpooling can be arranged at the meeting place. If you ride with someone, please donate to their gas fund. Be generous for obvious reasons.

Meeting place: The Grove in NW Crossing: 921 NW Mount Washington Drive, Bend. We'll grab a table in the general seating area, near Thump. Come early to grab a coffee and chat with others before we arrange carpools. Be prepared to leave by 9:00 am sharp!

Contact: Kelly Cleman, 425-268-3437

Kid-Friendly Hike at Riley Ranch Nature Reserve (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Join us for a family-oriented, kid-friendly hike at Riley Ranch Nature Reserve! From its unique location adjacent to the Deschutes River, the reserve offers dramatic views of the Cascade Mountain Range and the river canyon. We will walk the Juniper and Sage Flats combined loop, totaling about 1.6 miles.

The trails feature compacted gravel that meets ADA guidelines, so strollers are welcome. Jogging strollers are ideal, since there are some sections where the gravel is looser, though standard strollers can work with a little more effort. For infants, carriers are ideal for this trail.

We will meet in the parking lot off of Glen Vista Road. There are several overlooks/viewpoints where we can stop for snacks, photos, or simply enjoying the view.

Restrooms (vault toilets) and water fountains are available at the parking lot.

Distance/hours: Trip is 1.6 miles RT. Plan on spending a couple of hours to allow time to stop and enjoy the views at the overlooks along the trail.

Elevation gain/loss: Elevation gain is minimal.

Difficulty Level: Easy

What to bring: Water, snacks. Dogs and bikes are not allowed at the Reserve.

Number of participants: 9 participants including the trip leaders. Sign up is required. Non-members welcome.

Please be aware that bad weather conditions can alter or even cancel trips. Please be on the lookout for emails from the trip leader regarding the trip.

Leaders: Warren Preston (571-289-8073) & Amanda Capritto

Volunteer Night (27 Oct 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Join us for Central Oregon Nordic Club’s Volunteer Night!

Whether you are a long-time volunteer or brand new and curious, come enjoy an evening of socializing and learning. Discover how your talents can help keep Central Oregon's Nordic skiing and snowshoe experience safe and enjoyable for all.

Our activity leaders will highlight a variety of opportunities, including outdoor trail and shelter maintenance, trip coordination, and indoor support like website management or event planning. No prior experience is required—just a love for winter recreation!

Food & Drink: Grab a pint or a bite at the front bar to bring into the event room.
Cost & RSVPs: The event is free and open to the public; RSVPs are appreciated but not required.
Parking: Validate your parking at UPP Liquids for 4 hours of free parking in the Box Factory lot.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Powder House Afterhours Shop Visit & Social (12 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Hello everyone! It's that time of year again when the snow will be arriving soon (fingers crossed). So let's make sure your gear and clothing is appropriate for the season. This year our first Shop Visit will be at the Powder House Ski & Snowboard. They have great options available for sale or rent. So don't miss out on this opportunity to check everything out. Presentations will be offered to showcase new merchandise and gear.

Beverages and light snacks will be available during the visit. However, if you want to check out Base Camp, Powder House's newly opened bar and grill behind the store, arrive around 5:30 for a quick drink and/or snack/meal. There are many food trucks to choose from. If you haven't checked it out yet, I highly recommend you do so.

Parking is limited on site. However, since nearby businesses will be closed by that time of day, parking is allowed at those nearby locations. No extended parking is allowed in the Safeway or Columbia Bank parking lots across Century Drive.

Hopefully see everyone November 12th!

As usual, this event is open to all, so bring your friends and family who want to learn about the club.

Registration is not required but it is appreciated, as it helps us plan.

Sun Valley 2027 (31 Jan 2027)

Sun, 31 Jan 2027 23:00:00 GMT

Sun Valley

January 31-February 5, 2027

An Invitation to Adventure, Connection, and Unforgettable Memories

We are thrilled to announce CONC is returning to the breathtaking landscapes of Sun Valley, Idaho!

About Sun Valley

Nestled in the heart of Idaho’s majestic Sawtooth Mountains, Sun Valley is a legendary destination renowned for its world-class skiing, stunning scenery, and rich history.

Trip Details

Dates: January 31-February 5, 2027 (Five Nights)
Location: Sun Valley, Idaho
Duration: 6 days and 5 nights
Group size: Approximately 16 participants

With nearly 200 kilometers of cross-country tracks our ski days will cover the Galena Lodge Trails, the Sun Valley Resort Trails, the Wood River Valley Trails, and the ski trails over Galena Summit in the Sawtooth Valley. Evenings will be spent enjoying our resort amenities, such as the pool or hot tub, dining in the many excellent restaurants in Ketchum, and strolling through the town’s eclectic shops and galleries. Consider adding days pre or post CONC trip dates. The Boulder Mountain Tour will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2027 and you may want to stay longer to cheer on fellow cross-country skiers at this highly attended annual event!

Ski Details

Ketchum, Idaho is a great cross-country ski town. Click here for a full guide with links to maps and other information.

Blaine County Recreational District (BCRD) grooms more than 200 km of XC ski trails including the Galena Nordic Lodge 25 miles north of Ketchum. BCRD maintains a large fleet of grooming machines to keep all their trails expertly groomed throughout the ski season.

BCRD offers a variety of XC ski terrain from easy to challenging. The Harriman Trail connects 30 km of easy and intermediate BCRD trails between Ketchum and Galena. This 30 km stretch has many trailheads with parking, and the trails are mostly easy green and intermediate blue. The more challenging black ski trails are found at the Galena Nordic Ski Park, Sun Valley Nordic in town, and the Lake Creek Trail System.

Ketchum, ID is 5,853 feet in elevation with the XC ski trails ranging from 6,000 to 6,800 ft. The BCRD Winter Trail System and the Sun Valley Nordic Center trails are best for track and skate skis, not metal-edged skis, as this entire XC ski area is beautifully groomed most days of the week in winter. Depending on weather conditions we may have the opportunity to drive over scenic Galena Summit to ski Alturas Lake where back-country skis will be preferred.

The BCRD requires ski passes which can be purchased online. The ski ticket prices are reasonable, approximately $25 a day, with a discounted multi-day pass available.

Accommodations

We will stay at the Best Western Plus Kentwood Lodge located conveniently in the center of Ketchum and within walking distance of the shops and restaurants. The address is 180 S. Main Street, Direct # 208-726-4114.

A block of nine rooms has been reserved under CONC. Participants will have the option to select from a room with two queens (6 available) or one king (3 available).

CONC Group Room Rates are as follows:

Queen Queen Room @ $237.49 plus tax per night
King Room @ $227.99 plus tax per night

In addition to the above, please add room tax @ 11%. Rates are double occupancy.

Reservations will be made individually starting as early as today. Participants will make payment directly to the hotel. The hotel has a 45-day cancellation policy with each participant responsible for all fees. Any remaining unreserved rooms will be released from the room block by December 15, 2026.

All costs for accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, ski trail passes, and transportation will be paid for individually.

Evening Dining

To foster connection and camaraderie, we’ll gather for group dinners featuring regional cuisine each evening. Reservations will be made whenever possible. However, the famous Pioneer Saloon does not take reservations, but we can always take our chances and break up into smaller groups. You may choose to dine on your own.

Getting There

Participants may choose to either drive their own vehicle or carpool to Sun Valley, to fly to Boise Airport (BOI) and share a rental car from there or fly to Hailey/Ketchum Airport (SUN).

Actions Steps

1. To secure your spot call the Best Western Plus Kentwood Lodge, 208-726-4114, to book your reservation beginning September 30, 2026. When making your reservation, indicate you would like to book a room under the CONC group reservation. Trip dates are January 31-February 5, 2027.
2. *Email Char Newman to add your name to the CONC Trip Registration List. This is imperative for trip updates and daily ski plans!

Contact Trip Coordinator Char Newman with any questions.

Hope to see you in Sun Valley!

Practice Event (1 Apr 2027)

Thu, 01 Apr 2027 17:00:00 GMT

This event exists solely for people to practice registering for and cancelling from an event, either through the website or the apps.