Buoyed by snow, C.O. winter tourism on the rise

Central Oregon is finally getting the snow it needs for many local businesses to function. Sunriver was busy Tuesday with families and tourists shopping and enjoying the snow.

Tourism numbers are up, and so is the snowpack across Central Oregon. Business at The Village at Sunriver was booming, perhaps even more than many retailers expected. Sunriver Sports said they have been sold out of skis and snowshoe rentals all week.

Central Oregon tourism is seeing an increase in California and Washington visitors. With no sales tax, many are choosing to do their shopping in Oregon, helping business skyrocket.

“About 40 percent of our visitors from Oregon, 30 percent from California, and roughly 25 percent from Washington area,” Alana Hughson, president and CEO of the Central Oregon Visitors Association, said Tuesday.

Californian Paul Fonseca brought his family to Sunriver so they could enjoy a white Christmas. It was the first time his daughter had seen snowfall, and she said it made it feel more like Christmas.

“Last time I was up here, it was eight to nine years ago, about the same time,” he recalled. “And I don’t think there was any snow, and half the shops were closed.”

Even though snowfall was low the last two years, Hughson said business didn’t suffer as much, because there also wasn’t much snow in many other winter tourist destinations.

“In January and February, we started renting bikes again like it was summer, so it was definitely a different business last year,” said Angela Stone, the owner of Sunriver Sports.

Sunriver tourism is now setting records over prior years, and the numbers are only expected to go up as the snow keeps coming down.

Hughson said The Village is expected to get busier throughout the week, with this weekend being the busiest weekend yet.

For more information visitvisitcentraloregon.com