Last week, all of those prayers for snow were answered all at once, dumping three-feet of snow throughout Sunriver and Central Oregon. The snow has yet to subside and we wanted to provide our guests and visitors to the area with snow safety suggestions in order to make your vacation a success. In the last week, Mt. Bachelor received more than six-feet of new snow, which has made for great skiing and snowboarding conditions. Be prepared for winter driving conditions upon your arrival to a snow-cover Sunriver.

Snow Safety and Driving Suggestions

Sunset Lodging recommends not bringing any 2-wheel drive vehicles to Sunriver at this time if you can avoid it. Many 2-wheel drive vehicles are having a hard time navigating the side streets in Sunriver and if you have access to all or 4-wheel drive vehicles, we would recommend driving them and leaving the 2-wheel drive cars at home.

For all of our guests driving in and around Sunriver this week, we want to give you the best advice for navigating ice-covered roads in the area. At this point, all of the roads in Sunriver have been plowed and upon your arrival, your driveway will have been plowed and ready for your snowy Sunriver vacation. Driving on side roads can be difficult and bumpy, but with a few tips on winter driving, you can enjoy a great vacation in Sunriver.

1. Drive Smooth and Slow — When driving in snowy, icy conditions, keep your steering wheel, accelerator and brakes smooth. Jerky movements can cause tires to unstick and lose their grip on slippery roads. Be deliberate, gradual and gently in your operations while driving in the snow.
2. Look Where You Want to Go — If you feel yourself beginning to slip, remember to look where you want to go, not where the car is heading at that moment. Your peripheral vision helps take care of what you’re trying to avoid and allows you to course correct with more ease.
3. Don’t Panic! — Remember to keep your wheels pointed in the direction you want to be going. Gently use your brakes, don’t slam on them in order to correct a skid. When front-wheel-drive cars begin to slip, ease off the gas and as you begin to regain traction you can aim the vehicle where you want to go. Rear-wheel-drive skids can be corrected by quickly turning the steering wheel in the same direction that the rear is sliding. As you begin to regain traction, steer in the original, intended direction.
4. Assess Your Traction — Driving in snow and icy conditions mean your traction will likely change throughout the route. Watch for warning lights on your dashboard and test your anti-lock brake system when there are no other cars around you on the road.
5. Winter Tires — One of the best things you can do to prepare for intense winter driving is fitting your vehicle with winter or snow tires. Winter tires help provide more traction and stability in snow, slush and on ice.

Be Aware, Be Safe

Whether it’s driving in and around Sunriver or skiing and snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor, we encourage all of our guests and everyone in the area to practice snow safety. Remember to never ski or snowboard alone, watch out for tree-wells and check in with your group throughout the day. We can’t wait to welcome you to our winter wonderland, but want to ensure everyone practices snow safety on the roads and at the mountain. Remember to check the current weather in Sunriver and at Mt. Bachelor before heading over for the weekend.

Drive safe and we’ll see you in Sunriver!