Winter Activities
The Scenic Ride & Dine
Spend the day in the Cascades with our Scenic Ride & Dine adventure—a perfect mix of scenic thrills and cozy lodge comfort. Guests begin their journey aboard our heated snowcat for an 11-mile ride along the Cascade Lakes Highway to Elk Lake Resort.
Upon arrival, enjoy a 2-hour snowmobile rental (single or tandem), then refuel with a hearty lunch in our newly renovated lodge. Combining adrenaline and serenity, The Scenic Ride & Dine offers the best of both worlds—an unforgettable day exploring the Cascades with family or friends.
After lunch, return to Dutchman Flat via snowcat, taking in panoramic views and ending your day on a high note.
(Advance booking required)
Trail & Table
Where Adventure Meets Dining
Winter Après Ski Experience at Elk Lake Resort
On Fridays and Saturdays throughout the winter season, join us for a magical après ski adventure. Glide down 1,500 vertical feet over 11 miles from Dutchman Flat/Mt. Bachelor—mostly downhill with a gentle 4% grade—breathing in crisp mountain air as you make your way to the resort. A hot meal and a glowing fire await, ready to warm you from the inside out.
After dinner, the adventure continues with a moonlit snowcat ride back to Dutchman Flat Sno-Park. The quiet forest, sparkling snow, and soft glow of the moon create a serene end to an exhilarating day.
We recommend planning your start so classic skiers leave by 3:00 pm and skate skiers by 4:00 pm, arriving at the resort around 6:30 pm for a relaxed dinner. The snowcat departs after dinner, around 7:30 pm.
While dinner reservations aren’t required, be sure to secure your spot on the snowcat for the return ride, 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.
Trail Grooming Notice
Please note that Elk Lake Resort does not maintain a fixed grooming schedule. Grooming depends on a variety of factors, including weather, snow conditions, equipment availability, staffing, and other circumstances beyond our control.
We do post grooming updates to Nordic Pulse, so check there for the latest trail conditions before heading out. Please also note that we do not monitor the current status of Trail 5 or The Loop, as these trails are outside our resort and we do not track public use.
-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 in Oregon’s winter backcountry, the resort is the ultimate snowmobile destination, with access to hundreds of miles of groomed trails.
Make your stay a true basecamp for exploration—warm up by the fire, refuel yourself and your sled at the lodge, or launch your next ride right from your cabin doorstep.
A full fleet of snowmobile rentals is available for all skill levels, with single or tandem options. Rental times are designed for overnight guests. If you’re visiting for the day, consider our Scenic Ride & Dine experience for a memorable winter adventure.
Whether planning a day trip or a multi-day backcountry journey, this is your hub for high-elevation winter fun. Rental guests meet at the lodge to begin their adventure.
NORDIC SKIING
Enjoy a serene winter escape in the Central Oregon Cascades. Each season, we groom the popular Elk Lake Loop, a scenic and accessible route that circles the lake and treats skiers to panoramic mountain views. We also groom Trail 5 from the resort to Dutchman Flat.
Whether you’re a seasoned skier or just starting out, this peaceful, off-the-grid Nordic experience offers a welcome retreat from the crowds. After a day on the trails, 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 2.5 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.
Trail Grooming Notice
Please note that Elk Lake Resort does not maintain a fixed grooming schedule. Grooming depends on a variety of factors, including weather, snow conditions, equipment availability, staffing, and other circumstances beyond our control.
We do post grooming updates to Elk Lake Resort Nordic Trails so check there for the latest trail conditions before heading out. Please also note that we do not monitor the current status of Trail 5 or The Loop, as these trails are outside our resort and we do not track public use.
Make Elk Lake Resort 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 nearby trails on snowshoes, surrounded by deep snow, alpine forest, stunning mountain peaks, and serene lake views. Our backcountry setting is perfect for ungroomed snowshoe adventures just steps from your cabin.
Onsite snowshoe rentals make it easy to gear up and go. Whether you’re out for a short afternoon hike or a full-day trek, this is the ideal base for a peaceful, unplugged winter experience.
