Max slope angle
15-30 Degrees
Primary aspect
East facing
Vertical descent
1,900.00 ft (579.12 m)
Distance
3.00 mi (4.83 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Tulmalo Mountain is one of the most easily accessible peaks for backcountry skiing and snowboarding in Central Oregon. Bend Locals often eat breakfast at home, get in one or two laps in the bowl, and make it back to town for lunch. The ski to the summit rarely exceeds more than 15 degrees, making it easy to take a different route. Be sure to use this time to observe the snowpack for any instabilities. Also keep in mind that the upper bowl is a different aspect from the climb up to the summit. The snowpack here can vary greatly.

Once at the summit, a clear day can reveal all of the Oregon volcanoes. The most obvious are the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Bachelor Butte. Once you've enjoyed the view, it is time to rip the skins and enjoy 500 feet of 30-degree descent in the east facing bowl. The middle of the bowl provides a number of cliffs to spice up one’s choice of a line. The safest and most common return ascent is on the northernmost ridge back up to the summit. People often choose to grab a couple of laps while here. Once your legs have received the desired burn, return to the southern summit and enjoy a nice long tree run to the parking lot. The route is fairly straightforward, but a map and compass are always recommended.

Remember, when playing in the backcountry, knowledge is your friend. If you are looking to increase your knowledge base for the backcountry, an AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Training class is highly recommended. This and other winter skills courses in the Northwest can be found at Rare Earth Adventures.

Note that dogs are prohibited from November 15 through April 30.

Logistics + Planning

Parking Pass

Sno-Park Parking Permit (required in OR + WA 11.01 thru 04.30)

Pros

Close to Bend. Climb on approach. Straightforward navigation. Great views.

Cons

Heavy traffic. Limited parking. Early runs for fresh tracks. Dogs are prohibited from November 15 through April 30.

Trailhead Elevation

9,625.00 ft (2,933.70 m)

Typically multi-day

No

Shuttle required

No

Location

Comments

02/17/2019
A tremendous skin and ski with spectacular views of the nearby cascade volcanoes.
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Rare Earth Adventures (REA) was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2006 on the belief that we can provide everlasting experiences with top notch guide services. The goal is to find a custom way to experience the vivid life of the outdoors, and to be apart of those rare moments where the noise of everyday city is muted. We are a fully-insured, licensed, and registered Oregon Outfitter/Guide company, as well as a member of the Oregon Guides and Packers Association. We are permitted in several location including but not limited to;  Mt. Hood National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helen’s), the Columbia River Gorge, and the Olympics National Forest.