A Masterpiece in Central Oregon
Story by Kim Cooper Findling
Bill Healy and the Skyliner Ski Club began exploring Bachelor Butte, 9,065 feet elevation, with ideas of founding a ski resort over 50 years ago. On December 19, 1958, a tow-rope and Poma lift opened and the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area was born.
Facilities have improved considerably since the mountain’s beginnings as a recreation destination. Today, 3,683 acres of terrain and 71 runs are accessible by lift. 1,600 acres are groomed daily. Lift facilities include seven express quads, three triple chairlifts, one wonder carpet and two tubing lifts. Nordic skiers enjoy 56 kilometers of machine-groomed and track set nightly.
Snowboarding didn’t even exist fifty years ago. Now, some of the greatest snowboarders in the West have tried out the Mt. Bachelor Superpipe, which has served as home to the Chevy Truck U.S. Snowboard Grand Prix and 2006 Olympic Qualifier. Next to the Pine Marten Express, the Superpipe is 400 feet long with 18.5 foot walls. Advanced to pro boarders are most likely found on the Slopestyle Arena, which has the largest features on the mountain including tables, step-ups and step-downs in the large category, along with more challenging rails.
Sunshine Park offers small features, for boarders getting comfortable with a riding park. Rollers and banked turns help new riders get used to transitions and snow features. Sunshine is located next to the Sunshine Accelerator. Mt. Bachelor hosts several competitions each year, many of which are spectator-friendly.
Many amenities round out the mountain’s offerings, including lessons, restaurants and equipment rentals. Private and group instruction is available for kids and adults. Mt. Bachelor’s Otter Mountain Childcare Center is a state-licensed facility, offering care for children aged six weeks to 12 years old.
Cafes at all three lodges and the Nordic center offer tasty breakfast and lunch items. The Clearing Rock Bar in the West Village Lodge is a hub for those 21 and over. With breathtaking views at 7,700 feet, Scapolo's (Italian for "Bachelor") is Mt. Bachelor’s answer to fine dining. Located on main floor of Pine Marten Lodge, Scapolo’s features open-hearth gourmet pizzas, fresh garden salads, oven-baked sandwiches, homemade soups, wines and a variety of microbrews on tap.
One of Mt. Bachelor’s newest amenities is the Carrousel learning chairlift, open to the public for free on weekends and holidays. The lift is a great place to teach your child to ski—or let your child teach you to ski, as the case may be. The Carrousel lift is staffed with teaching pros to help guests of ages six and up with “tips and tools” lessons.
Mt. Bachelor gets 370 inches of snow annually and maintains an annual snow-base average of 150 to 200 inches. Winter makes it the place to be, but the lifts run during the summer, too!
