Snow fans who keep watch over the Mt. Bachelor webcams rejoiced this week as snow began falling for the first time this season.

For those feeling less thrilled about the return of the white stuff, don’t worry—the current weather forecast shows a string of days in the 70s and 80s next week, so you still have time to fit in a few more days of hiking, biking, paddling, and picnicking outdoors.

Mt. Bachelor posted this image to their Facebook page on Wednesday as snow began to pile up at the resort.

But for those who get giddy at the thought of a winter vacation, here are 10 things that might be going through your head right now.

#1: “I wonder if I should make reservations…”

Yep, you should. Popular winter travel dates can fill up crazystupidfast, so if you want first dibs on the best Bend hotels and vacation rentals, book now.

#2: “I love good food. I wonder who makes the best burgers/wings/sushi/vegan food in Bend?”

You’re in luck! We recently rounded up nearly seven years’ worth of our “best of” drinking and dining posts, and you’ll find them all right here.

Scenes from one of our more popular culinary blog posts featuring Bend’s best bacon.

#3: “How much duct tape is too much on my ski jacket?”

If you have to ask, it’s time for a new one. Lucky for you, lots of Bend retailers are having killer sales right now, so hop out there and do some Bend shopping to restock all your winter gear.

#4: “Where is that @#$% ice scraper?”

I’m right there with ya in needing to dig through my car to ensure I have what I need for winter driving. Now’s a great time to stock up on antifreeze, locate your tire chains, and maybe sign up for a class to help prepare you for driving in icy conditions.

#5: “Do dogs wear shoes?”

Hey, it’s a legit question, especially when it comes to protecting Rover’s paws from the cold. Bend-based Ruffwear makes a wide variety of boots created just for dogs. You’ll find those, along with other awesome options at locally-owned Bend Pet Express. They carry one of my favorite products, Musher’s Secret, which is a dense, barrier wax that forms a breathable bond with your dog’s paws. Bend Pet Express also sells Ultra Paws Durable Dog boots, which are a little less expensive than the Ruffwear ones and meant more for the everyday walker.

Now’s a great time to score killer pre-season deals on passes at Mt. Bachelor.

#6: “I wonder if Mt. Bachelor has any pre-season deals on passes?”

They sure do! Check out their website for all the latest and greatest sales, but now is definitely the time to buy if you want to save some cash and plan ahead for what’s shaping up to be a killer season for snow sports.

#7: “Crap. Have I missed my last opportunity to try standup paddleboarding or go for that hike?

Don’t worry! Like I mentioned earlier, we’ll have several days next week warming into the low 80s, so you’ll be able to squeeze in a few more days of sunny fun. But beyond that, here’s the cool thing about Bend—while Mt. Bachelor sees an average snowfall of 462 inches, the city of Bend averages less than 24. That means that even in the dead of winter, it’s totally possible to ski powder all morning, then drive 20 minutes down the hill to spend your afternoon golfing, hiking on dry trails, or mountain biking 277 miles of sweeping singletrack.

One of the stunning snowflake images captured by Lookie Loo Portraits.

#8: “Do snowflakes really look like those things I used to cut out of paper in third grade?”

Kinda. We can all thank Lookie Loo Portraits of Bend, Oregon for snagging some of our absolute favorite snowflake close-ups last season, and you can see from the pics that they’re pretty unique. And to address the other thing you’re wondering about whether it’s true no two snowflakes are alike, that’s also true. While it isn’t possible to compare every snowflake that’s ever fallen, the fact that each flake is made up of 10 quintillion water molecules growing at different rates and in different patterns in different temperatures means it’s highly unlikely that any two are identical. There’s your deep thought for the day.

#9: “All right, so I’m seriously considering a Bend winter vacation this year. I wonder what else there is to do there?”

Oh, man. What can’t you do in Bend? The area offers everything from arts and culture to the legendary Bend Ale Trail. You can try a cave adventure with Wanderlust Tours, or try the tallest commercial bungee jump in North America. The possibilities are endless, so start browsing at www.phpstack-307602-2580524.cloudwaysapps.com to see what piques your interest. You can also check our Event Calendar to see what’s happening around town on the dates you’d like to visit.

Get ready for a crazy-fun winter in Bend!

#10: “I’d sure like to help Tawna out by shoveling her driveway this winter.”

Why thank you! That’s so very kind. Shall I post a signup sheet on this blog, or would you like to just drop by with your shovel after our first big storm of the season? Let me know and I’ll have the cocoa ready for you.