Mount Bachelor ski area

Mount Bachelor ski resort (stylized as Mt. Bachelor) is a ski resort located in Central Oregon, approximately 22 miles (35 km) west of Bend, along Century Drive Highway. The ski area is on the northern side of Mount Bachelor, a stratovolcano rising atop a volcanic shield in the Cascade Range.

Mount Bachelor
Pine Marten Express chairlift in 2009
Mount Bachelor Location in Oregon Show map of Oregon Mount Bachelor Mount Bachelor (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Mountain	Mount Bachelor
Nearest major city	Bend: 22 mi (35 km) east
Coordinates	44.003°N 121.677°W / 44.003; -121.677
Status	Operating
Owner	POWDR
Vertical	3,365 ft (1,026 m) lift-served
Top elevation	9,065 ft (2,763 m) Summit Express
Base elevation	5,700 ft (1,737 m) Northwest Express 6,350 ft (1,940 m) Pine Marten Express
Skiable area	4,323 acres (17.5 km2)
Trails	101 total - 15% novice - 35% intermediate - 30% advanced - 20% expert
Longest run	4 mi (6.4 km)
Lift system	12 total (9 high speed quads, 3 fixed grip triples, 3 surface lifts)
Terrain parks	15
Snowfall	462 inches (1,170 cm)[1]
Snowmaking	Yes
Night skiing	No
Website	Mt Bachelor.com

Since 2001, the ski area has been owned by Powdr Corporation of Park City, Utah.^[2] It is the largest ski resort (by area) by more than 1,000 acres (4.0 km²) in Oregon,^[3] the second largest single-mountain ski resort in the U.S., behind Vail in Colorado, and the sixth largest of all ski resorts in the nation.^{[clarification needed]}

Mount Bachelor offers one of the nation's longest ski seasons, mid-November through the end of May (weather permitting).^[4]

History

The Mount Bachelor Ski Area was founded by former 10th Mountain Division Elite Force ski trooper^[5] Bill Healy on December 19, 1958, with $75,000 (equivalent to $792,000 today^[6]) and a one-year lease from the U.S. Forest Service for the land.^[7] The four other major stockholders were Felix Marcoulier, Dr. Bradford Pease, Oscar Murray, and Phil Gould. The founders raised $100,000 from local investors and made many important management decisions that would shape the path of Mount Bachelor and Central Oregon for decades to come.^[2]

The ski area opened as Bachelor Butte in October 1958 with a rope tow and a 3,100-foot (940 m)-long platter lift rising 1,000 ft (305 m); a lift ticket was three dollars^[2][8] (equivalent to $31.68 today^[6]). The name of the volcano was changed to Mount Bachelor in 1983 after the Bend Chamber of Commerce persuaded state and federal officials to adopt the more descriptive term "mountain."^[9][10] Well-known broadcaster and avid skier Lowell Thomas visited the young ski area in 1961, flying over from Sun Valley with agribusiness magnate J. R. Simplot.^[11]

The first chairlift was "black chair" in 1961, shortly followed by "red chair" in 1964. In 1967 and 1970, the yellow and blue chairlifts were added,^[12] and in 1973 the green and orange chairlifts were added. The "Outback chair" was added in 1976, "Rainbow" in 1980, and "Sunrise" in 1982. The first area of the mountain developed for skiing was the northeastern side.^[13] The northwestern side was not lift-served in 1973, but those who ventured for the "Outback Trail Tour" paid a dollar in advance and got a return ride by a snowcat to the lodge.^[14] A new trail was finished in 1975,^[15] and the Outback double chairlift was installed at a cost of $700,000.^[16][17] It was replaced by the $3 million high-speed quad (Outback Express) in the summer of 1987;^[18] with a capacity of 2,800 passengers per hour.^[19] The 8,377-foot (2,553 m)-long Northwest Express chairlift was added in 1996, a high-speed quad with 2,365-foot (721 m) vertical.^[20] This lift further expanded the terrain to the west and increased the resort's overall vertical, lowering the minimum lift-served elevation to 5,700 feet (1,740 m). In 1976, Mount Bachelor had a severe drought and was only open January 2 through February 14, and February 26 through April 30. There was a loss of an estimated $4 million which took four years to recover. Following the drought, the Nordic initiative began and the main lodge expanded.^[5]

Plans for the first summit chairlift were announced in autumn 1979;^[21] the high-speed detachable triple was installed in the summer of 1983.^[22] At the time, it was just the second detachable chairlift installed in the world. It was upgraded to a quad in 1997.^[20] Original plans for a summit lodge and an accompanying service road^[23][24] were abandoned in 1982 to attain approval from the U.S. Forest Service.^[25]

Due to its challenging terrain parks and excellent snow conditions, Mount Bachelor is the official home training resort of many professional and Winter Olympic athletes, and hosts several professional USSA competitions each year.

On April 4, 1968, a single-engine light airplane crashed on the slopes of Mount Bachelor with three fatalities. Bound for Eugene from Boise and Billings, it was found three days later at the 8,100-foot (2,470 m) level by skiers after a multi-day regional air search in limited visibility.^[26][27]

Terrain

The mountain is famous for its dry snow (for the Pacific Northwest), ^{[citation needed]} with typical snowfall of over 462 inches (1,170 cm) per year and a mid-winter base over 150 inches (380 cm). The resort boasts a lift-served vertical drop of 3,365 feet (1,026 m) with a lift running to 9,000 feet (2,743 m), just 65 feet (20 m) below the volcano's summit, which is accessible via a short hike. As one of the tallest mountains in the vicinity, Mount Bachelor often experiences high wind speeds causing the chairlift to the summit to be put on standby.

Trails and lifts

Ski area in the winter

Chairlift in the summer

Total lift accessible area is 4,323 acres (17.5 km²)^[28][29] with approximately 1,600 acres (6.5 km²) groomed daily. The longest run is just over 4 miles (6.4 km). There are 12 chairlifts: Alpenglow, Early Riser, Northwest Express, Outback Express, Pine Marten Express, Rainbow Chair, Red Chair, Skyliner Express, Summit Express, Sunrise Express, Little Pine, and Cloudchaser. Northwest Express, Outback Express, Pine Marten Express, Skyliner Express, Summit Express, Sunrise Express, and Little Pine ^[30] are express quads.

Following the Summit triple in 1983, the Pine Marten was the first express quad, installed in the summer of 1986.^[18][19] The accompanying lodge at the top of Pine Marten was built two years later.^[31] The Pine Marten Express was the world's first height-adjustable detachable quad. It was overhauled in 2006 for $3.5 million, with new terminals, cable, and all new moving parts.^[20] The Outback Express was installed in 1987 and the Skyliner Express in 1989.^[32]

Mount Bachelor has outlined in its master plan that it intends to replace its Sunrise Express to a high-speed six-pack, along with replacing its Rainbow triple chairlift with a high-speed quad. In addition, the ski area plans to expand its downhill mountain bike terrain and install a zip-line.

In the early 1990s, Mount Bachelor had intentions of installing an 8 passenger high speed gondola which would run from the Sunriver access road. However, while marketed in ski magazines, this gondola was never built.^[33]

In recent years, Mount Bachelor has made sweeping efforts to attract freestyle skiers and snowboarders. A 400-foot (122 m) super pipe is among the best on the continent, and hosted the 2006 USSA Olympic Qualifier.^{[citation needed]} The resort's Bachelor Parks terrain park encompasses 3 parks, is nearly a mile (1.5 km) long, descending 850 vertical feet (260 m) and featuring a number of jumps, rails, boxes, and jibs for freestyle riders. Other parks include "Slopestyle Arena", and "Sunshine Park" for beginners.

In 2003, Transworld Snowboarding magazine (editors & readers) ranked Bachelor as the fourth best snowboarding resort in North America.

Mount Bachelor also has a cross country skiing area with 12 groomed trails covering 35 miles (56 km) and 850 feet (260 m) of vertical.

Activities

Skiing/ Snowboarding

Mount Bachelor offers lift accessed skiing and snowboarding seven days a week from late-November to the end of May. Hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On nice weather days Mount Bachelor offers skiing 360 degrees off the summit of the mountain. Bachelor holds some of the driest snow^{[citation needed]} relative to the Cascades. The mountain's wide variety of elevation and aspect allows skiers and snowboarders to find good snow nearly every day of the season. Many avid skiers and snowboarders can access a bulge on the north side of the mountain referred to as 'the cone' by hiking before, during and after the resorts typical hours of operation.

Nordic skiing

Mount Bachelor has the longest groomed Nordic season in North America, running from late-November through late-May. Snow conditions may extend into June.^[34]

Mountain bike park

Starting in the summer of 2013, Mount bachelor was granted a special use permit from the Forest Service allowing chairlift for downhill mountain bike laps. Mountain bike trail continue to be developed, varying from a family-friendly single track trail to "bad to the bone" downhill bike park.

Other features at Mount Bachelor include snowshoeing, dog sledding, and on-mountain interpretive tours. Seven restaurants, three bars, and three coffeehouses on the premises are distributed in three day lodges. Additional accommodations and lodging are nearby at Sunriver and in the city of Bend.

U.S. Ski Team

• Kiki Cutter (b. 1949), five World Cup victories, 1968 Olympian, runner-up in World Cup slalom standings and fourth overall in 1969
• Tommy Ford (b. 1989), World Cup racer, 2010 Olympian, eight U.S. Alpine titles
• Mike Lafferty, (b. 1948), 1972 Olympian, third in World Cup downhill standings and ninth overall in 1972
• Laurenne Ross (b. 1988), World Cup racer, 10th in downhill at the 2011 World Championships

Resort statistics

Skier visits

Number of guests per day.^[35]

Season	Peak Day	Average Top 10 Days	Average Top 20 Days	Average Entire Season	Operating Days	Total Seasonal Skier Visits
2005-2006	12,207	8,364	7,462	2,747	194	532,997
2006-2007	11,431	8,340	6,936	2,557	185	472,969
2007-2008	10,098	7,020	6,187	2,447	179	437,954
2008-2009	9,430	6,694	5,881	2,530	157	397,211
2009-2010	8,074	6,642	5,983	2,428	180	436,995

Elevation

• Summit: 9,065 ft (2,763 m)
• Base: 6,350 ft (1,935 m)
• Lift-served
  • Maximum: 8,975 ft (2,736 m) - top of Summit Express^[36]
  • Minimum: 5,700 ft (1,737 m) - base of Northwest Express
  • Vertical drop: 3,365 ft (1,026 m)

Trails

• Skiable area: 4,323 acres (17.49 km²) accessible by lift, with 1,600 acres (6.5 km²) groomed daily
• Trails: 101 total 15% Novice 25% Intermediate 35% Advanced 25% Expert
• Longest run: 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
• Average annual snowfall: 462 inches (1,173 cm)
• Terrain Parks: 15 (Woodward Mountain Parks, Slopestyle, and Sunshine)
  • Including 1 Superpipe

Lifts

• 14 Total
  • 1 High-Speed Six Pack
    • Skyliner Express - (2023, 1989) ^{[37] [32]}
  • 7 Express Quads
    • Pine Marten Express - (2006, 1986) ^[20]
    • Outback Express - (1987) ^[19]
    • Sunrise Express - (1993) ^[20]
    • Summit Express - (1997, 1983 (express triple)) ^[20]
    • Little Pine Express (formerly Sunshine Accelerator) - (1993) ^[38]
    • Northwest Express - (1996) ^[20]
    • Cloudchaser Express - (2016) ^[20] - Opened 12/16/2016
  • 1 quad chairlift
    • Early Riser
  • 3 triple chairlifts
    • Alpenglow (formerly Carrousel)
    • Rainbow
    • Red Chair
  • 3 magic carpets
    • Chipmunk
    • First Rays
    • Lava Tube

Lift specifications

	Cloudchaser	Rainbow Chair	Sunrise Express	Alpenglow	Summit Express	Skyliner Express	Little Pine
Lift Number	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Lift Type	D4C	3C	D4C	3C	D4C	D6C	D4C
Year Installed	2016	1980	1993	1993	1997	2023	1993
Top Elevation ft.	--	7,605	7,270	6,606	8,950	7,631	6,628
Bottom Elevation ft.	--	6,390	6,470	6,440	7,240	6,325	6,385
Total Vertical ft.	1448	1,215	800	166	1,710	1,293	243
Horizontal Distance ft.	6576	3,700	3,643	1,175	4,460	5,722	1,871
Slope Distance ft.	--	5,515	3,732	1,194	4,783	5,878	1,888
Average Slope %	--	23%	22%	14%	38%	23%	13%
Hourly Capacity	2400	1,800	1,800	1,350	2,400	3,200	2,200
Rope Speed (fpm)	1000	500	886	300	1,024	985	886
Trip Time min.	--	11.03	4.21	3.98	4.67	5.97	2.13
Drive Output (hp)	Unknown	Unknown	244	60	800	520	128

	Pine Marten Express	Red Chair	Outback Super Express	Northwest Express	Early Riser	TOTAL
Lift Number	8	9	10	11	12
Lift Type	D4C	3C	D4C	D4C	D4C
Year Installed	2007 (1986)	1980 (1964)	1987	1996	2020
Top Elevation ft.	7,732	7,495	7,755	8,065	6,415
Bottom Elevation ft.	6,365	6,337	5,975	5,712	6,345
Total Vertical ft.	1,367	1,158	1,780	2,253	70'	12,124
Horizontal Distance ft.	4,562	3,850	6,738	8,040	--
Slope Distance ft.	4,779	4,020	6,991	8,377	647'	47,428
Average Slope %	30%	30%	26%	29%	--	27%
Hourly Capacity	2,400	1,500	2,400	2,400	2,400	23,050
Rope Speed (fpm)	985	475	985	1,000	1,000
Trip Time min.	4.85	8.46	7.10	8.38	--
Drive Output (hp)	488	Unknown	646	931	Unknown	3,817

Source: Mount Bachelor Master Development Plan: 2010^[35]

References

1. "Mount Bachelor Trail Map". Mount Bachelor Ski Resort. Mount Bachelor. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
2. BendBulletin.com - Mount Bachelor at 50 - 2008-11-30 - accessed 2012-03-24
3. "www.go-oregon.net/Skiing/". Archived from the original on 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
4. Mountain Stats from mtbachelor.com Archived 2013-01-03 at the Wayback Machine
5. "History". www.mtbachelor.com. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
6. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
7. "Bill Healy; Built Mount Bachelor Ski Resort". Seattle Times. Associated Press. October 29, 1993. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
8. Cornacchia, Pete (November 27, 1958). "New Bachelor ski area set for seven month operation". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 4D.
9. "Bachelor Butte name change months away". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). August 9, 1983. p. B1.
10. Swee, Stephanie (May 25, 1987). "'Media' pioneer helped put Bachelor on map". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Horizons Monthly. p. 7.
11. Mahoney, Michael (March 22, 1961). "Lowell Thomas, Gov. Hatfield among celebrities at Bachelor". Bend Bulletin. (Oregon). p. 1.
12. Brogan, Phil F. (August 19, 1967). "Summer finds crews at work on new lift at ski area". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. 6.
13. "The History of Mount Bachelor, Oregon". SnowBrains.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
14. McCord, Mike (March 12, 1973). "Skiing Bachelor's 'outback' is a ball". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. 7.
15. "Ski season begins Saturday". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). October 28, 1975. p. 1.
16. Smith, Jeffrey (June 28, 1976). "Bachelor to get lift, bigger lodge". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. 2.
17. "Oregon ski area may move into the big leagues". Ellensburg Daily Record. (Washington). UPI. June 29, 1976. p. 5.
18. Monson, Stephanie (March 18, 1987). "Mount Bachelor expansion set". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A-1.
19. Fears, Shannon (November 15, 1987). "Mount Bachelor adding another ski lift". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 2C.
20. Sowa, Anna (July 31, 2006). "Ski lift mechanics a hardy crew". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Retrieved April 10, 2018.
21. "Mt. Bachelor plans expansion". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. November 2, 1979. p. 7B.
22. Tri-City Herald - New summit chair makes Mount Bachelor skiing even better - 1983-10-07 - p.C1
23. Francis, Mike (February 5, 1982). "Bachelor wins road to summit". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A1.
24. Francis, Mike (March 31, 1982). "Mount Bachelor road okay appealed". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A1.
25. Francis, Mike (September 2, 1982). "Bachelor abandons road plan". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. A1.
26. Perry, Dan (April 8, 1968). "Search ends when airplane found on Bachelor Butte". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). p. 1.
27. "3 found dead in crash". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. April 8, 1968. p. 6.
28. trail map ew Archived 2005-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
29. trail map nw Archived 2005-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
30. "Mountain Stats". www.mtbachelor.com. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
31. Prese, Tim (November 20, 1988). "Bachelor more than sports center". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). Winter Recreation. p. 3.
32. (Bend) Bulletin - Catch your breath - 1989-12-21 p.E1
33. SKIING Magazine (February, 1987) https://ibb.co/pPpfn6j
34. "Nordic Trail Map". www.mtbachelor.com. Retrieved 2016-11-17.
35. http://www.mtbachelor.com/site/about_us/company_info/forest_service/MDP_Text.pdf%5B%5D
36. Mount Bachelor trail map shows the base of Summit Express at 7,250 feet (2,210 m) and its rise at 1,725 feet (526 m)
37. Bulletin, SUKHJOT SAL The (2023-09-07). "New Skyliner lift at Mt. Bachelor on track to open in December". The Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
38. (Bend) Bulletin - Bachelor's high-tech lifts move more skiers faster -1993-12-03 - p.5, winter-rec

External links

• Official website
• Ski Lifts.org - photos of lifts at Mount Bachelor
• Oregon History.org - history of Bachelor Butte ski area
• Historic Photo Archive - Bachelor Butte parking lot in 1963 on November 10