Community honors Bend outdoorsman Stratton Matteson with weekend celebration

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Friends, family, and fellow adventurers are gathering this weekend to celebrate the life and legacy of Bend native Stratton Matteson.

Matteson, a well-known split-boarder and experienced outdoorsman, was killed in an avalanche on Feb. 26 at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park in British Columbia. He was a prominent figure in Central Oregon’s backcountry community and the owner of a local bicycle-based landscaping business.

Organizers say Sunday’s (April 12, 2026) event will be a day filled with laughter, music, and movement in Matteson’s honor — a reflection of his deep love for the outdoors and his community spirit.

Friends and neighbors will come together for games and a community bike ride through Bend, finishing with an outdoor screening of Matteson’s film “Sierra to Baker.”

The celebration begins at 2 p.m. at Miller’s Landing Park, with the group ride starting at 5:30 p.m. and the movie at 7:30 p.m.