Mt. Bachelor a Top Attraction for Beginners, Experts and Nature Lovers Alike — Sport Oregon Voices
Popular ski resort focuses on an authentic experience while basking in Central Oregon scenery
Located in scenic Central Oregon just 20 minutes outside Bend, Mt. Bachelor has built a reputation as a top ski resort in the Pacific Northwest. Ranking as the seventh-largest ski resort in North America – featuring more than 4,300 acres of skiable terrain – Mt. Bachelor offers the unique attraction of 360-degree descents from a 9,065-foot volcanic peak.
What you won’t find is slopeside lodging, condo developments or overly fancy base villages so common with most resorts. Instead, Mt. Bachelor keeps the focus squarely on the outdoor activities and experiences so beloved by those who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing and sled-dog riding, among many other activities.
And, they do so proudly … providing a rugged and authentic experience for guests of all skill levels and abilities.
“People really do come to Mt. Bachelor for the skiing and riding,” said Presley Quon, communications manager for Mt. Bachelor. “Whether it’s your first time on skis, or you’re an elite athlete, there’s something for everyone here.”
Mt. Bachelor features two main base areas and is served by three carpets and 12 lifts. The West Village houses the main chairlift, Pine Marten. According to Quon, from there you can get to pretty much anywhere you want on the mountain. To your east, you can get to Sunrise Lodge, or if you go west, you get into more advanced terrain with scenic open glades, steeper terrain and more tree-lined surroundings. The second main base, Sunrise Lodge, includes a lot of the beginner terrain by accessing the east side of the mountain.
Of course, there are a number of special events, including a pair of upcoming signature events, that make a trip to Mt. Bachelor all the more enjoyable.
Beginning March 21, Mt. Bachelor will be celebrating the 12th year of the Big Wave Challenge hosted by surfer, snowboarder and Bend local, Gerry Lopez. The event, inspired by Lopez’ passion for surf and snow, is a snowboard contest held on a custom-built course that includes a series of sweeping banked corners, quarter pipes and spines.
From May 2-5, Mt. Bachelor is hosting its Rendezvan spring event. The festival is a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates the outdoor crowd, including RV enthusiasts, campers and van-lifers. The annual event invites guests to enjoy their outdoor or mobile recreation while taking in live music, local and out-of-the-area vendors, tailgating and skiing and riding during a great weekend of fun in the spring.
New this year, the resort is holding sunset snowshoe tours at its Nordic Lodge twice a month, providing another way for more casual outdoor enthusiasts to experience the mountain.
“These tours are a really fun way to get out if you’re not an avid skier or snowboarder, but still want to be in nature and experience the alpine landscape,” Quon said.
Also new this season, the Boneyard Backcountry Bar has been introduced. The only way to access this unique hut at the bottom of one of the lifts is to ski in and out, and it has emerged as a favored addition to the events lineup, bringing a unique blend of mountain adventure paired with great beer and food. The next Boneyard Backcountry Bar event is this Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 17-18).
Mt. Bachelor now offers a Ski or Ride in 5 instructional program for beginners that includes five lessons, five ski or snowboard rentals and five lift tickets for $499. But there’s more. Upon graduation from the course, graduates receive a free mountain pass for the remainder of the ski season and discounts on passes for future years, including 50 percent off the cost of a full-season pass for the following season.
The resort, which features 101 runs and has an average annual snowfall of 410 inches, is typically open for skiing and snowboarding six months out of the year, traditionally starting Thanksgiving weekend (weather dependent) and, this year, extending through May 26.
A host of lodging options are available in close proximity to the mountain, says Quon. Mt. Bachelor has several lodging partners, including Tetherow Resort, Sunriver Resort, The Oxford Hotel, The Element and the Riverhouse, located on the nearby Deschutes River. Additionally, Mt. Bachelor offers overnight RV camping at the resort.
When the weather warms up, Mt. Bachelor keeps the outdoor adventure rolling with a host of summer activities, such as downhill mountain biking, ziplining and whitewater rafting with Sun Country Tours.
Mountain bikers are in for a treat at Mt. Bachelor, with its volcanic rocks providing for challenging rides and “some really intense, high-adrenaline jump lines and technical rock gardens,” according to Quon. This year, the resort is excited to add a new trail for beginners, Evergreen Trail.
The whitewater rafting experiences range from two-hour excursions to all-day adventures and two-day, overnight glamping trips.
Also, Mt. Bachelor offers sunset dinners during the summer. Guests can hop on a lift, get to the top midmountain lodge and enjoy a menu prepared by the resort’s executive chef while enjoying the oh-so Oregon views of the Cascade Mountains and area lakes.
Speaking of food, the Mt. Bachelor experience in the winter includes a number of dining options.
The Clearing Rock Bar, located in the West Village Lodge, offers a variety of pub food and hosts events each Friday. Cocoa’s Cafe, also a West Village Lodge attraction, is a cafeteria-style eatery that has a decidedly Asian flair, while also serving additional favorites like pizza and chicken fingers.
Just outside the Sunrise Lodge, guests can enjoy a beer or a bloody Mary at the Sun Bar, all while experiencing the scenic 360-degree views. The XC Café at The Nordic Lodge serves up warming food options, grab-n-go items, snacks, hot beverages and bottled drinks, including canned beer, wine and cider.
So whether it’s an authentic alpine experience in the winter or picturesque scenery and outdoor activities in the summer, make sure Mt. Bachelor is on your list of Oregon attractions to check out.
To Learn More
For more information on Mt. Bachelor and all its attractions and amenities, click here.