(Joe Kline/Bulletin file photo)

Central Oregon features no shortage of nordic ski locations, but for its proximity to Bend and its wealth of trails, Virginia Meissner Sno-park is our readers’ go-to spot for nordic skiing, gliding past second- and third-place finishers Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center and Swampy Lakes Sno-park, respectively.

Virginia Meissner Sno-park

Located 15 miles west of Bend on Century Drive, the sno-park resides on U.S. Forest Service land where the Meissner Nordic organization maintains nearly 25 miles of groomed trails with features ranging from steep, hairpin turns to wide, mellow corridors. Meissner also offers 4 1/2 miles of snowshoe trails and it is connected to approximately 20 miles of ungroomed nordic trails that wind through Swampy Lakes and Vista Butte Sno-parks.

Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center

At No. 2, Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center, which enjoys the longest groomed Nordic season in North America, according to the resort, is where nordic skiers can kick and glide into June, as they did last year.

Swampy Lakes Sno-park

Snagging the No. 3 spot is Swampy Lakes Sno-park. While its lower elevation makes it as susceptible to spring snow melt as neighboring Meissner Sno-park, it is classic skiing heaven, offering many ski touring opportunities and around 8 miles of snowshoe trails.

—Peter Madsen, The Bulletin