For nearly a century, Bend has been hailed as a tourist destination for all four seasons. When the summer sun is shining, canoeists, kayakers and white water rafters enjoy the myriad of rivers and high-altitude lakes fed by crystal-clear mountain snow. Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding and mountain biking opportunities abound.

In the winter, the Olympic-quality slopes of Mount Bachelor – averaging 370 inches of fluffy white snow each year – beckon skiers and snowboarders. The outstanding network of trails and wilderness areas attract flocks of cross-country skiers, snowshoers, dog sled enthusiasts, snowmobilers and winter campers of all kinds.

All year around, Bend boasts lovely high-altitude desert weather with an average of almost 300 days of sunshine each year and moderate temperatures so that visitors and residents can enjoy the incredible geographical diversity of area activities. Virtually every week of the year you will find festivals, fairs, parades, concerts , shows or some type of entertainment. There is also a wide selection of wonderful restaurants, local breweries, wine bars and fine dining.

For a town of its size, Bend has outstanding facilities and amenities. Bend’s quality museums, theatre, art galleries and shopping. Likewise, the state-of-the-art medical facilities and selection of world-class physicians and specialists are more like what you would expect to find in a much larger city.

Bend’s families have access to a quality school system in which students routinely score above the state and national averages on standardized tests. For the college-bound, Bend is host to Oregon State University’s Cascades Campus, Central Oregon Community College and a number of private colleges, trade and technical schools.

Fifteen minutes from Bend is Roberts Field in Redmond, which offers multiple commercial daily flights to and from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Salt Lake City. A number of shuttles run regularly to and from other Oregon cities, and a bus station on the north end of town connects with locations across the country. Bend’s new Bend Area Transit system offers residents a fixed-route bus system, while Dial-A-Ride serves low-income seniors and the disabled.

The residents who live and work in Bend enjoy a growing economy powered by small businesses and energetic entrepreneurs, with growth industries and tourism as the two primary driving sectors. Quality amenities for both residents and visitors has also built an industry presence in computer software and hardware, medical equipment, aerospace, and recreation equipment manufacturing.