Photo credit: Pete Alport Photography
Presenting opportunities to look forward, count the days in meaningful ways and make memories with those who are closest to us, we believe in the significance of keeping a calendar.
With that intention, we present our 2026 Annual Calendar, featuring breathtaking images of natural landscapes in Central Oregon. We are honored to partner with many talented, local photographers who love sharing their work in hopes of inspiring outdoor adventures—big and small—and the conservation of our precious outdoor spaces. If you haven’t yet received your 2026 calendar, please reach out to us and we’ll be happy to pop one in the mail or have ready for you to pick up at our office on Newport Avenue.
We’re beyond grateful for your support, especially this past year. Terry Skjersaa founded our values-driven company in 2005, and you can learn more about his legacy below.
Because of your support, the Skjersaa Group is a thriving, locally-owned business that donates at least one percent of our annual revenue to Central Oregon nonprofits that serve our community through environmental, housing and youth initiatives.
With deep gratitude,
—Jason, Kimberly and Natasha
Our Legacy
Founded in 2005, the Skjersaa Group is a testament to enduring friendship and shared values. Terry Skjersaa and Jason Boone met when they were working in the outdoor retail industry. Both had a passion for hard work and outdoor adventure, and had spent time in Bend where Terry’s family had deep roots.
The family with a funny name—pronounced SHEER-sha—was instrumental in growing the sport of skiing in the Pacific Northwest. Terry’s grandfather Olaf immigrated with his family from a small town in Norway to Oregon in 1925, and his great uncle Nels helped found the Skyliners Club for people who loved climbing and skiing in 1927.
Skyliners Club built a winter sports facility in 1928 on McKenzie Pass which hosted ski jumping tournaments and Nordic ski races. A few years later, the facility relocated to an area 10 miles of Bend near Tumalo Creek.
As skiing became more popular in Bend, Olaf began selling ski gear out of his garage on Florida Avenue in 1939 and later opened Skjersaa’s Ski Haus on Greenwood Avenue in 1958. Olaf, his wife Grace and their four children—including Terry Skjersaa, Sr.—were avid skiers. In 1965, Terry Sr. opened Skjersaa’s Ski Chalet on 14th Street and another shop at Mt. Bachelor. SKI Magazine named Skjersaa’s as Best Ski Shop in 1994 and 1995.
With this indelible history, it’s no wonder that Terry Jr. and his brother Hans were gifted skiers and avid outdoorspeople. Terry was a competitive skier and studied ski industry operations at Colorado Mountain College. After working at Breckenridge and Snowbird, he began testing telemark skis for Kazama before becoming an independent ski industry rep.
When Jason and Terry began traveling together for work and adventure, their shared reverence for the natural world became evident, as did their entrepreneurial spirits. Inspired to put down roots in Bend, they formed a startup real estate business. From day one, the Skjersaa Group outlined its core values, including a process for donating at least one percent of the annual revenue generated by the business directly back to the local community to support environmental, housing and youth non-profit initiatives.
With the belief that the time is always right to do the right thing, the Skjersaa Group quickly built a reputation for integrity and an authentic, collaborative approach. Over 20 years, Terry and Jason nurtured deep relationships within the Central Oregon community and helped countless people achieve their real estate goals with knowledge, empathy and positivity.
Terry was a familiar, uplifting presence at many community events. When he met Renee Scott, a local math teacher and gifted athlete, he knew he’d found a kindred spirit who loved outdoor adventure and hosting get-togethers featuring good food, good stories and good music as much as he did. Renee and Terry married in August 2015, and had an active family life with Terry’s daughters Ellie and Jade.
This past February, Terry and Renee snowmobiled out the back door for a quick, afternoon backcountry ski in Happy Valley. They were caught in an avalanche not far from where Terry’s family had long ago built a ski hill for the Bend community.
“Despite our profound grief, we—friends, family, colleagues—have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of so many of you in our community. We have heard hundreds and hundreds of stories about how Terry and Renee touched so many lives with love, joy and compassion. Thank you.”
—Jason
Both Deschutes County Search and Rescue (DCSAR) and the Central Oregon Avalanche Center (COAC) continue to accept donations in honor of Renee and Terry.
Source: “Northwest Legacy of the Skjersaa Family” by Tim Gibbons
