Winter Activities
Signature Ride & Dine Package
Spend the day in the Cascades with our signature Ride & Dine adventure—a perfect blend of scenic thrill and fireside comfort. Guests begin their journey aboard our heated snowcat on an 11-mile ride along the Cascade Lakes Highway to the resort.
Upon arrival at Elk Lake Resort, you’ll enjoy a 2-hour snowmobile rental (single or tandem), followed by a hearty lunch in our newly renovated Lodge. Adrenaline and serenity, the Ride & Dine offers the best of both worlds—an unforgettable way to spend your day with family or friends exploring the Cascades.
After lunch, guests return to Dutchman Flat via snowcat, taking in panoramic views to end a perfect day.
(advance booking required)
Trail & Table
Where Adventure Meets Dining
On Fridays and Saturdays through the winter season, join us for a magical après ski experience at Elk Lake Resort. Picture yourself gliding down 1500 vertical feet over 11 miles from Dutchman Flat/Mt. Bachelor, mostly downhill with a gentle 4% grade. The crisp air fills your lungs as you make your way toward the resort, where a hot meal and a glowing fire await, ready to warm you from the inside out.
After dinner, the adventure continues as we load you and your skis onto our snowcat for a moonlit ride back to Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. The quiet forest, sparkling snow, and soft glow of the moon make this return journey a serene end to an exhilarating day.
We recommend planning your start so that classic skiers leave by 3:30 pm and skate skiers by 4:30 pm, arriving at the resort around 6:30 pm to enjoy dinner at a leisurely pace. The snowcat departs after everyone has finished their meal, around 7:30 pm.
While dinner reservations aren’t required, we do ask that you secure your spot on the snowcat for the return trip, as these trips fill quickly. Dinner and snowcat rides are purchased separately.
Glide down, savor a warm meal by the fire, and ride back under the moonlight—an evening at Elk Lake Resort you won’t forget.
-Photo courtesy of Elk Lake guest Linda W., taken along the trails overlooking Devils Lake
WOOD-FIRED SAUNA & COLD PLUNGE
Our friends at SaltSaun.NW have delivered a custom-built 6-person sauna just in time for winter, and it’s ready for you to enjoy. Nestled on the beach adjacent to the Lodge, this cedar sauna invites you to relax, refresh, and reconnect with friends and family in a classic cold plunge and sauna routine. A large window frames Mt. Bachelor, giving every moment a stunning backdrop.
Built from Pacific Northwest red cedar, the sauna features a spacious porch with a bench, hooks for towels and robes, mood lighting, and a backlit Himalayan salt wall. Typical operating temperatures range from 100–200°F, offering the perfect warmth to soothe tired muscles.
The sauna is available every day we are open, from 10 am to 8 pm, and towels are included.
Come experience the serene rhythm of lakeside relaxation in this one-of-a-kind sauna.
SNOWMOBILE Rental
Nestled deep in Oregon’s winter backcountry, Elk Lake Resort is the ultimate snowmobile destination along hundreds of miles of groomed trails.
Make Elk Lake your basecamp for exploration. Warm up by the fire, refuel you and your sled at the lodge, or launch your next ride right from your cabin doorstep.
We offer a full fleet of snowmobile rentals for all skill levels as a single rider or tandem. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a multi-day backcountry escape, Elk Lake is your hub for high-elevation winter adventure. Rental guests meet at Elk Lake Resort.
NORDIC SKIING
Elk Lake Resort is your serene winter escape in the Central Oregon Cascades. Each winter, we groom the popular Elk Lake Loop Trail, a scenic and accessible route that circles the lake and treats skiers to panoramic mountain views.
Whether you’re a seasoned skier or just starting out, Elk Lake offers a peaceful, off-the-grid Nordic experience, far from the crowds. After a day on the trails, you can warm up by the fire, enjoy a hot drink in the lodge, or stay overnight in one of our cozy cabins.
Pro-tip #1: Take the 9:30 am snowcat to the resort, ski the 7-mile loop around the lake (about 2–2.5 hours), enjoy lunch at the lodge, and return on the 3:30 pm snowcat. Truly the best day ever!
Pro-tip #2: Ski in to the resort, enjoy dinner at the lodge, spend an hour resting your muscles in our lakeside sauna, and then take the 7:30 pm snowcat back to Dutchman Flat (Fridays and Saturdays).
Book your one-way snowcat transport here.
Grooming Report: Elk Lake Resort Nordic Trails – We post live updates when we are grooming. There is no set schedule, as timing depends on temperature, snow conditions, and the logistics of transporting guests and equipment. Operational conditions can change at any time, and we’d hate to disappoint by advertising a schedule we might not be able to keep.
Make Elk Lake your Nordic ski destination—come for the quiet, stay for the adventure every winter season.
As a service to the Nordic and snowmobile community, Elk Lake Resort maintains grooming on Trail 5 and the Elk Lake Loop. Donations are voluntary and help cover fuel and maintenance, keeping the trails safe and enjoyable for everyone. If you’d like to support this effort, please donate below.
SNOWSHOEING
Explore the resort and neighboring trails on snowshoes. Surrounded by deep snow, alpine forest, and mountain views, our backcountry setting is ideal for ungroomed snowshoe adventures just steps from your cabin.
Snowshoe rentals are available onsite, making it easy to gear up and go. Whether you’re out for a short afternoon hike or an all-day trek, Elk Lake is your base for a peaceful, unplugged winter experience.
