Rafting Through the Heart of Russia

A review of Jeffrey Tayler’s latest book, River of No Reprieve: Descending Siberia’s Waterway of Exile, Death, and Destiny By Marina Solovyov

Karelia, Russia: Outdoor Recreation and Lively Nightllife

By Rina Galaktionova Where? The Republic of Karelia is situated in the North West of Russia, just to the east of the Finno-Russian border. Its capital Petrozavodsk is about 300 miles to the north from St Petersburg. Why go? Karelia has about a million hectares (about 2.5 million acres) of…

Tips on getting a Tourist Visa

Tips on getting a Tourist visa for places like Australia, Russia, China, Vietnam, India, Tunisia, Morocco and other countries who require it.

Building Trails, or Trying To, In Baikal, Siberia

Joshua K. Hartshorne describes a volunteer trail building expedition in Siberia.

Sakhalin Island, Russia: Visiting a Hidden Place Few Will Ever See

Joshua Hartshorne visits Sakhalin Island in Russia with two paleoglaciologists who study tree rings, it’s a ravaged and rarely visited place.

GoNOMAD Travel Podcast

Take a few minutes to travel the world with The GoNOMAD Travel Podcast. Brought to you by the long-running GoNOMAD travel website, The GoNOMAD Travel Podcast brings you audio stories from destinations around the globe. It’s short-form… 3-7 minute long episodes. No jarring AM radio-style theme songs, no ads, just an interesting short travel story and some food for thought, from editor Max Hartshorne. Fun!
While you’re planning your next trip or travel adventure, download and listen to The GoNOMAD Travel Podcast.

GoNomad is part of the Voyascape Travel Network & you can find more of our travel podcasts from around the world at https://voyascape.com/
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Show Notes: Skiing Mt. Bachelor & Exploring Bend, Oregon

In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max heads to Central Oregon to explore one of the most surprising ski destinations in the United States: Mt. Bachelor. This massive, 9,065‑foot volcanic peak offers something rare in North America — true 360‑degree skiing from the summit. With more than 4,300 acres of terrain and plans for even more expansion, Mt. Bachelor is a mountain that keeps skiers coming back year after year.

But the story doesn’t end on the slopes. Just 25 minutes away sits Bend, Oregon, a high‑desert city packed with breweries, outdoor adventure, and a laid‑back culture that draws people from all over the world. Max checks into the Oxford Hotel downtown, samples local beers at Brother Jon’s and Ten Barrel, and meets one of Bend’s most famous residents — former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe — who shares why he loves skiing Bachelor and living in this fast‑growing mountain town.

You’ll also hear about dog‑sledding with Oregon Trail of Dreams, the unique restrictions that keep Mt. Bachelor wild and undeveloped, and why this mountain is beloved by families, intermediates, and powder‑hungry locals alike.

In this episode:

What makes Mt. Bachelor’s terrain and snow so unique
Why the summit is often closed — and why it’s worth waiting for
Bend’s booming craft beer scene
Meeting Drew Bledsoe at a local brewpub
Dog‑sledding through the Deschutes National Forest
How Bend has transformed from mill town to outdoor hub
The future expansion of Mt. Bachelor’s ski terrain

Links & Resources:

Visit Bend: https://www.visitbend.com
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort: https://www.mtbachelor.com
Oregon Trail of Dreams Dog Sledding
Oxford Hotel Bend
GoNOMAD story about Bend and Skiing Mt Bachelor
https://www.gonomad.com/3468-bend-mount-bachelor-oregon

About GoNOMAD Travel Podcast: Hosted by Max Hartshorne, the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast brings you stories from around the world — unusual destinations, memorable characters, and the kind of travel experiences that stick with you long after you return home.