Experience Silvies
XC Ski Trails
Summary
Enjoy over 24km of classic and skate track ski trails winding through the breathtaking ponderosa pines of the Malheur National Forest. Designed with both beginners and intermediate skiers in mind, the trails offer a mix of challenge and beauty for all skill levels. Rentals are available at trusted shops in Bend or Boise, and training is offered on-site with skis ready for beginners.
A native Oregonian, Tim Gibbons brings decades of expertise in cross-country skiing and trail design. Growing up skiing and racing on Mt. Hood and around Bend, Oregon, Tim pursued his passion academically, earning degrees from the University of Oregon (1983) and a Master’s in Exercise Science from Northern Michigan University (1992).
With a rich career as a cross-country ski coach, Tim has worked with institutions such as the College of Idaho, Middlebury College, Dartmouth College, and Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation. He also contributed as a sport physiologist with the U.S. Olympic Committee, where he tested athletes from 22 Olympic sports and provided training recommendations. His extensive travels across North America and Europe allowed him to document the developmental stages of endurance athletes capable of achieving international excellence.
Tim’s contributions extend to community ski development, such as directing strategic planning for Meissner Sno-Park near Bend, Oregon, leading trail construction, and parking expansion projects. He co-curated the ski history exhibit Winter Comes: Oregon’s Nordic Ski History at the Deschutes Historical Museum in Bend.
Currently, as Development Director for Every Kid Sports, a national non-profit based in Bend, Tim helps low-income children access sports by covering registration fees. At Silvies Valley Ranch, Tim has crafted trails to provide an unforgettable cross-country skiing experience through the serene landscapes of Eastern Oregon.
Location: XC Trails