When there's enough snow, skiing on the Sunriver Resort Meadows course can be an exhilarating experience.

One day last winter, we hit the golf course. The cross-country skiing was excellent.

Typically, when confronted with the opportunity to break out the nordic skis, my thoughts turn to one of the idyllic sno-parks nestled in the Central Oregon Cascades to the west of Redmond and Bend or over in the Ochocos east of Prineville. They’re usually an ideal choice. There are trails for beginners and experts, the scenery is suitably scenic and the price is certainly right: $15 for a pass that entitles you to park in a regularly plowed lot.

But when there’s a bounty of lower-elevation snow, the options really open up. Skiers can take advantage of local parks, Bend’s fantastic suburban trail system and just about any open space with a foot or so of snow.

We drove south to Sunriver, where we found plenty of packed powder and some good information at Seasons Recreational Outfitters in Sunriver’s Country Mall.

Scott Auerbach said he regularly steers nordic skiers, especially beginners, to the nearby golf courses when there’s enough snow.

”It’s a flat, open area,” Auerbach said. ”It’s easy to learn on.”

No matter what your skill level, skiing on the Meadows Course at Sunriver Resort is big fun and an entirely different experience from gliding along the wooded paths of the sno-parks. It’s wide open; you can see a long way in any direction. Just make sure you avoid the water obstacles.

Fore.

From the lodge, we skied west over the bridge that spans the pond and on out to the airport, stopping short of the runway. Elizabeth Gerbak, of Sunriver Resort said skiers are welcome as long as they follow one cardinal rule – stay off the greens. They’re usually marked with flags.

We ran into a few other skiers, including one big family just getting the hang of the skinny skis. And we saw an aerial V formation of 11 snow geese, winging south.

Between the resort and the Sunriver Nature Center, there’s another section of the Meadows Course that we skied. We followed tracks that had been laid down earlier in the day past fairway chalets and in and out of pine stands.

Skiers can also try the hillier Woodlands Course to the north. There’s a parking area off Circle Nine.

”It’s a great way to get outdoors and get a little exercise,” Auerbach noted. ”And it’s inexpensive.”

If you’re new to the sport, renting equipment is probably the best way to go. That way, someone who knows the ropes can set you up with the proper skis, poles and boots for your height, weight and ability level.

Another advantage of golf course skiing in Sunriver is being in Sunriver. There’s good food, shopping and a wintry ambience that makes you feel you’re on holiday. And if the skiing hasn’t left you chilled and worn out, there’s always ice skating.

The Sunriver Resort is a substantial building with awesome views and upscale dining. It’s a fine place to sip a chardonnay and warm up.

And the Sunriver Nature Center is also an ideal place to while away a wintry afternoon. It features a small but jam-packed natural history museum, a live birds-of-prey exhibit, a botanical garden and nature trail. And admission is only $2 for adults and $1 for children. Contact: 593-4394.

From the southern city limits of Bend, drive south on Highway 97 about 15 miles, then turn west (right) onto South Century Drive to Sunriver. About a mile down, bear right at the large Sunriver sign and follow signs to the resort.